It’s just reading a book out loud; how hard can it be?
So we’re a good way down the road in this audiobook project, in which Nicholas Boulton is narrating–oh, a lot–of my novels. I’ve learned a huge amount that I never knew about audio production; about sound leveling and studio time and, yeah–the reason AUDIOBOOKS COST SO EFFIN MUCH.
They are expensive for a reason. To create a great audiobook requires many skills in different fields. First, you’ve got me, the author. That’s say, a year’s worth of work right 
there, the novel itself. (We’ll hope it’s at least decent.) Then you’ve got the narrator, Nick. That’s backed up by training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and decades of experience in stage, screen and radio acting, not to mention his scads of raw talent. Then you’ve got the producer, Garrick Hagon of The Story Circle, an actor himself (Red 3 in the original Star Wars, btw) who also narrates and produces audiobooks for major publishers, who studies the scripts I send and figures out how to pronounce words I can’t (even though I wrote them, apparently), and directs Nick in the narration, helping him keep track of major and minor characters and scenes and how-did-we-pronounce-that-butler’s-name over hours and days of recording. Most of my books take at least a week or more of 8 hour days to record. You can figure at least 2 hours in the studio for each hour of finished audio.
Then there’s the recording engineer and the studio time, and editing, taking out all the stuff that needs to edited out, like mis-reads and re-read lines and throat-clearing and etc. And the engineer who checks the sound levels and masters the final recording. And Garrick listening to and reading the whole thing to make sure no lines were missed or words left out. And me doing a second check, or a first one, in some cases, on books that are really a challenge such Flowers from the Storm, with the aphasic hero Christian, and For My Lady’s Heart, with the dialogue in Middle English. I probably don’t even have all the roles correctly, because most of this takes place in London, usually before I hear it and long before you, the listeners, ever do.
In a very few cases, I’ve even asked them to go back and retake limited portions, in a crucial scene where I think it’s so important that it’s worth everyone’s time and my money to go back for more studio time. Once or twice I’ve been on Skype at 4 am, so I can hear what it sounds like in London while they retake—which is very exciting and makes me feel all Hollywood. Actors, studios, dawn, eek!
I know that recently things have changed, and many excellent narrators are using their own studios at home (I can’t even imagine the mind-boggling work!), but this is how I’m doing it. It’s a decision I made, for myself really, that it was worth it to me to use the narrator that I wanted, Nick—and that meant this kind of production in a commercial studio.
It has been absolutely worth it. In spades. When I listen, sometimes I think to myself, I don’t care if I ever sell a single copy—it’s worth it just to hear this, read so beautifully that a whole world comes alive in the characters I wrote.
In my first post for the AudioGals, having just heard the first chapter of the first audiobook, I said that it was magic. And that is still the case, after hearing seven more. It is still the most gorgeous, unexpected magic, and I feel blessed to work with people of such talent, skill and dedication to an art.
I think it’s easy, as consumers, because we don’t see what goes into creating our entertainment, to underestimate that commitment, and the intensity of the work by people who are spending days and weeks of their time to create it. I don’t want you to think about any of that when you’re listening—I just want you to be pulled into that magical world where your reality is the story and the characters. The work should never show while you’re listening.
But it’s also worth appreciating, when you’re not actually listening, how much is behind what you hear. Nick and Garrick and those engineers in the shadows deserve a toast to their professionalism and dedication.
So here’s to you, to all of us, listeners and producers both! Because without the audience, there would be no reason for it. Thank you all, and I hope you’re enjoying these audiobooks read by Nick.
Laura Kinsale
Editor’s Note: You may want to take a look at another Laura Kinsale Guest Blog here at AudioGals written in February where she talks about making the decisions for her audiobooks.
I’ve just finished listening to “Flowers from the Storm” . It’s amazing. Congratulations Ms Kinsale for the choice of narrator. I had read this novel many years ago and it moved me so much at the time (having cared after a loved one with aphasia after a stroke) that I decided to buy the audio version. Boulton really manages to convey the pain, the frustration, the internal struggle of the character, his sense of humour, honor, strenght and his iron will to get better and prevail, never once failing to convey how sexy this fictional man is at the same time! Amazing indeed!
After this brilliant performance of my favourite romance novel I purchased the other titles available on Audible. I look forward to many hours of enjoying your wonderful stories and characters.
All the best to you and the Audiogals!!
Bea
PS: Apologies in advance for any mistakes in my message. English is not my first language
Amazing book and choice of narrator (Nick) and team, great work.. The polish of studio sound is so evident in the reading of Flowers from the Storm. I chuckled when I read you didn’t even know how to pronounce the words that you had written. I actually used the whispersync version where I had the kindle reader as well as Nick the narrator (Audible). I whole hardly agree with you that book was only enhanced by the professionalism and talent that it took to land this project. I finally switched to all audio for two reasons, I had difficulting in interpretting what Chistian was saying myself in print and Nicholas’ delivery shouldn’t be missed.
I enjoyed the book/narrator combination so much I immediately purchased “The Prince of Midnight”. Look forward to more of your collaborations with Nicholas Boulton.
Great interview, I never realized just what it took to get that professional sound.
This attention to detail, in both your writing and the audiobook production, is what makes the experience so perfect, so seamless to the listener. It’s interesting to get the background scoop, and I know it makes us appreciate it even more. Where I think it will really pay off is in the future, when your work is introduced to new generations of fans, because the quality is timeless. Meanwhile, we are being treated to wonderful experiences, the highest levels of quality, and it is genuinely appreciated. Thank you.
I’m really glad to know that the work that’s gone into them is appreciated! Thanks guys.
I’m not so good at promoting my own books, but somehow when it’s Nick’s narrations I have no problem banging on about them at length! (I’m REALLY excited about the Middle English and Ruck’s voice in For My Lady’s Heart.)
The way Audible works, any written reviews are so helpful, so that other listeners can find the books. If any of you have written one, let me thank you right now! It doesn’t matter if it’s a good review, just any review helps put the titles in view to others.
I’ve been looking for that perfect audiobook experience for years and I have had a few come close…really, really close. But, without a doubt, Flowers from the Storm was that experience. The Prince of Midnight and Midsummer Moon were flawless presentations too that I thoroughly enjoyed as well but FFTS was just the best. And it was one that I enjoyed in print but didn’t consider an absolute favorite. Nick Boulton changed that.
I have been holding on to The Dream Hunter saving it for a special time and to keep a yet-to-be-listened Kinsale audio on my iPod. I’m like that. I have to spread out those audios I know I’m going to absolutely love. An example – I just finished listening to Pamela Clare’s I-Team series – I had to enjoy them slowly.
I think I can finally listen to The Dream Hunter when My Sweet Folly is released this month. That way, I can keep one to anticipate!
I wanted to add – Laura, I have so enjoyed your cover art for these audio releases as well! Classy and appropriate for book content.
Thanks, Lea, I’m glad to hear that about the covers!
When I’m listening I’m completely in the story but I notice afterwards that I haven’t been jarred out of the story by missed words, characters speaking in the wrong voices, repeated words or strange pronunciations. The production is superb. Nick Boulton is my new favourite narrator. I do hope the project is successful for you Laura – I really appreciate the respect you have shown not just to your own work, but to the listeners in choosing the narrator so carefully and being so involved in the process. I know many authors have no choice in the narrator and little or no involvement in the audiobook process, so I don’t mean that in any way as a criticism of them. But I do appreciate the investment you have made in your audiobooks. It really shows.
@Lea – wasn’t the characterisation in FFTS just excellent? All those different people just came to life and they were just exactly all I could have hoped for.
And here’s to you, Laura – for knowing what you want for your books, and having the drive to see this project through. As a long time fan, I am grateful to your commitment. I got an Audible subscription just so I could buy all your books on audio (and with the member pricing, I won’t break the bank), so keep ’em coming – I’m listening!
Kaetrin, thanks! I sometimes feel like there’s a muse out there who really wanted to get these books done, because a lot of it just fell into place. (Now if I could just get my high speed internet back after the guys tore it out while paving the road!)
Melonie, that’s the BEST, that you got a subscription. I get a little bonus when people choose one of my books among their first three on Audible, so you rock! Thanks!
MY SWEET FOLLY was released at Audible today! http://bit.ly/1fBAzKa I think I may have to listen immediately.