Sneak Audio Preview of Elora, The One-Winged Fairy and The Last Baby Giggle

Okay I admit it, I might be a little bit excited... Why? Well today I have spent the day working through the audio version of Elora, The One-Winged Fairy... And The Last Baby Giggle. I have to admit it really had me giggling and I wrote it. Is that as bad as laughing at your own jokes? I guess so... Anyway I have put a sample up and will be putting another sample of The Hairy-Legged Mystery on the next blog because something happened over night and people have been asking me all manner of questions about these books. I guess it ties in with the sales increasing.

So I hope you enjoy this. Just so you know... the inspiration for the laughter being sucked from the world came from an environment where I worked where the atmosphere could be likened to a stagnant fart. It was such a shame... The people became so miserable and fed up. I was fine because I do have an inner landscape full of fairy adventures, hairy-legged mysteries and my own jokes. Admittedly I glad to be free to get on with my writing for a while.

Enjoy my audio books at the following link:

http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_hp_tseft?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+allure&filterby=field-keywords&x=0&y=0

A fantasy fairy fiction novel for girls aged 8 and older...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elora-One-Winged-Fairy-Last-Giggle-ebook/dp/B01KYHM1G4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472123774&sr=8-1&keywords=Elora+the+one+winged+fairy

AUDIO LINK: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-Hairy-Legged-Mystery-Audiobook/B01H2HF0XU/ref=a_search_c4_1_2_srTtl?qid=1471619538&sr=1-2

An Interview with Lisa Hicks, the voice behind The Hairy Legged Mystery!

An Interview with Lisa Hicks,  the voice behind The Hairy Legged Mystery!

This week The Hairy-Legged Mystery burst onto the audiobook market and made a hugely hairy impact. With the audio fluffaciousness reaching the masses,  I felt that the world like to know a bit more about Lisa Hicks - the voice artist and producer behind the audiobook. Lisa trained as an actor, spent several years acting on stage, in TV and film, and then became an elementary school librarian.  I guess you want to know a little bit more than that... So here are some questions that will give you a better insight.

Q: How did you get into producing audiobooks?

I love “Kid Lit”, I love reading it, I love listening to it and I love being a matchmaker – finding just the right book for each kid.  Part of my job in the library was to read aloud to the students, and they enjoyed my readings as much as I enjoyed performing books for them. 

I am also an avid audiobook listener.  I listen during car trips, while walking and while doing housework.  When a narrator “gets” the author’s voice, then has the skills to communicate that voice, it is magic and I am transported into the book in a powerful way. 

A few years ago I began to wonder if I could combine my acting training, experience with kids, love of books and technical skills to become a narrator myself.  It has been two years of a roller-coaster-learning-curve, but I am enjoying the ride! 

Q: What do you look for when choosing to work on an audio book?  

For the moment I am sticking with what I know – kids’  ‘tween and teen books, but I feel sure I will branch out with experience.   I look for books which respect the intelligence of the audience.   I will not audition for a book if I feel the author is talking down to the young reader, or manipulating a reader of any age.

Q: What are some of your funniest/ weirdest and most awkward experiences within audio production? 

Hmm…  I’m something of a newbie.  Check back with me in a couple of years ;-)

Q: What was it about The Hairy-Legged Mystery books that appealed?

I fell in love with the characters and their family life.  I wanted to be in that family where the kids love to play outside, where they think fast, take risks and back each other up.  Hats off to their working parents, who manage to give their kids space, but hang with them at bedtime too, telling wildly imaginative stories. 

Also, I should mention Ruby that your writing style makes narrating easy.  You have a natural conversational tone with realistic dialogue, which made the job of a narrating this book an absolute pleasure.

Q: What are your favourite bits of The Hairy-Legged mystery that the readers should listen out for? 

Listen for the tea-time scene in which Ben and Jenny hide the creature under the table.   While banana peels and orange skins fly, the pair try to cover the sounds and distract their parents from discovering their secret.

Q: What advice do you have for authors intending to produce audiobooks?

GO FOR IT!  The audiobook audience is growing.  There are people like me who listen while doing mindless tasks, people who are learning English and will use your book to improve their language skills, and there are brilliantly intelligent people who are dyslexic and who appreciate a good read minus the agro of decoding .  GO FOR IT!

LINK TO THE HAIRY LEGGED MYSTERY ON AUDIO:
http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-Hairy-Legged-Mystery-Audiobook/B01H2HF0XU/ref=a_search_c4_1_9_srTtl?qid=1466104902&sr=1-9

Ruby Allure BOOKS ON AMAZON.COM - https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Ruby+Allure&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Ruby+Allure&sort=relevancerank

Ruby Allure BOOKS ON AUDIBLE.COM
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_mn_mt_ano_tseft__galileo?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+Allure&x=0&y=0 

NEW RELEASE: TINGLE DINGLE AND THE LITTLE MISCHIEFS

 https://www.amazon.com/Tingle-Dingle-Little-Mischiefs-Allure-ebook/dp/B01G9C0XC2?ie=UTF8&keywords=Ruby%20Allure&qid=1465049617&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

NEW RELEASE: THE HAIRY-LEGGED MYSTERY

https://www.amazon.com/Hairy-Legged-Mystery-Ruby-Allure-ebook/dp/B01G2C0Y9Q?ie=UTF8&qid=1465049724&ref_=sr_1_2&s=digital-text&sr=1-2

An Interview with Erin Lillis - Voice Artist and Audio Producer

Over the last eight months I have had the pleasure to work with a number of wonderful audio producers. Eight of my nine books have been transformed from words into audible reality. Each of the producers has been professional, insightful and really hard working. For all of the authors out there who are thinking about releasing audio books these interviews will provide and insight into what producers are looking for. What's more, audio producers are friendly and are always looking for great books to bring to life. So this week I intend to post a couple of interviews with some of the wonderful people I have been fortunate to work with. I am so grateful that they dedicated their precious hours into bringing my books to life. The first in a series of interview is with Erin Lillis.

An Interview With Erin Lillis -  Voice Artist and Audio Producer (U.S.)

 

How did you get into producing audio books?

It was the next logical step in my voice over journey towards being a voice heard at an amusement park! :)

This is true. One day I had the idea that I’d like to be the voice you heard announcing the fireworks or the parade at Disneyland. It’s something simple and informative yet those voices have the power to stick with a person and bring back wonderful sense memories when heard years later.

It was that plus people telling me I should do voices and my secondary love for sound design and recording that I’d picked up when working on projects in film school.

In recent years I’ve been working on a slow but steady path towards doing work in the voice over industry. I'm building up to putting together a professional demo. I started by doing voicemail gigs on a freelance site and when I felt I’d finally figured out the timing and quality aspects I moved up to short voiceovers. I discovered ACX (the Audiobooks Creators Exchange) in a conversation with another person on a similar path and signed up. At the same time I also began writing, producing and recording my own podcast (SubverCity Transmit subvercitytransmit.com) to get more practice in the art of reading fiction.


What do you look for when choosing to work on an audio book?

Since my projects with ACX are done via a profit share model, my first book was done on a gamble. I picked and auditioned for titles that seemed like they’d be a good bet for a steady stream of residuals. My audition was approved and I produced my first book. When I did that I discovered that the process of recording and producing a complete (albeit a very short ebook) was very time intensive and an arduous process.

I took a break after that experience but after I saw that the title was earning me some passive income I decided to dive in again. This time, however, I decided that I would only audition for titles and topics that thoroughly interested me since I knew I would be spending a lot of time with the product.

What are some of your funniest/ weirdest and most awkward experiences within audio production?

As far as awkward goes, after a process of moving around my apartment to find the best location for sound recording (which originally included the kitchen and having to turn off and remembering to turn back ON the refrigerator), I finally managed to make a makeshift sound booth in my hallway closet. My first time recording in there I was noticing that I was getting breathier and breathier until suddenly the room was spinning and I nearly fainted. I quickly learned that there is no air in the closet and I was essentially poisoning myself the more I talked! Awkward and dangerous! I learned a life lesson there (the lesson being “keep the door open”).


What was it about A Short Course in Creative Writing  that appealed?

As I mentioned earlier, I decided to only audition for titles  that were going to be of interest to me. At the time that I started the audiobook I was also attending a “bootcamp” for creative writing and prepping for a writer’s retreat. The audiobook project was a way for me to keep the lessons alive and active. What I ultimately liked best about the book was the lists of questions that I (and other readers) could use to beef up my characters, scenes and settings.


What are your favourite bits of A Short Course In Creative writing that the readers should listen out for?

Personally the little tid bits I enjoyed were reading some obviously British words and phrases like “mum” and “she fancied him” in my very American accent. It made me smile each time.

As for content, I enjoyed the section on "Defining Moments in Character." I'm, at the time of this interview, attempting the NaNoWriMo challenge (which is a challenge to write 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November). My intention was to do a bunch of plot outlines and character backstories in October so come November 1st I could hit the ground running but that didn't happen as planned. Instead I'm using my November to do all of this pre-work and I'm spending a great deal of time now working on my characters' backstories and THEIR defining moments in character. I'm actually working through the audiobook instead of just narrating it!

I also enjoy the references to writing as catharsis. A reader could totally throw out the fiction/non-fiction writing aspects of the book and entirely use the workshop chapters as guidelines for journaling and self help. It's the "free gift with purchase" aspect of the book.

To hear Erin in Action:

LINK TO SOUNDCLOUD

https://soundcloud.com/ruby-allure/creativewriting-edit-99-retail-sample-mastered

 

 

LINK TO BUY ON AUDIBLE:

http://www.audible.com/pd/Self-Development/A-Short-Course-In-Creative-Writing-Audiobook/B012OVUKE8/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1443260320&sr=1-1

 

LINK TO PAPERBACK ON AMAZON.COM

A Short Course in Creative Writing
by Ms Ruby Allure
Link: http://amzn.com/1517234832
      

What other listeners thought:

"Fantastic Beginner Or Refresher 4 Creative Writers"

This short, two-hour, recording is packed full of writing tips, instruction and almost everything one would need to write any type of book. This includes nonfiction or fiction and Ruby Allure breaks down each subject into helpful steps to achieve your story!

I found myself marking each section so that I could go back and reference it as needed.

Though I doubt I have the discipline to ever write anything, I found that this would be an excellent resource should I ever try. Ruby Allure, it is excellent, thank you.

Erin B. Lillis narrates this text in an engaging and clear tone. Excellent and easy to understand.

*I received this book in exchange for my review. However, I am going to keep this very handy to me and would recommend it for anyone who is contemplating writing in all categories.

I NEVER really know what to expect when agreeing to these "listen in exchange for review" relationships. Lately, they have been one home run after another! This is no exception. A short course in creative writing: a compilation of lessons may not be for everyone (those who don't ever plan on writing a book) but for everyone who has ever considered it, this is a fantastic resource, four stars!

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. If you found it helpful in your decision to purchase (or not), would you take a moment and select yes directly beneath this text? Thank you.

"Short & Sweet Writing Course"

Any additional comments?

While the book was short at 2 hours, it took me much longer to get through it. It is packed full of lessons and idea prompts to make you think. Everything is covered from making a mind map to get your ideas down, should you use 1st or 3rd person and the differences between them, to which POV to use.

The ideas here are very practical and give you ideas on how to tame the mass of ideas floating around in your head(I'm guilty of this) and bringing one down to Earth to start your story.

She covers uses the senses, and even trying to think from some one else perspective, like a friend, or someone you know. Good exercises to help you find your characters voice.

There are so many tips to help you get going if you don't know where to start. And enough practical advice for those that do but still need a bit of guidance. I have many books on writing, but having this in audio format is almost like having a teacher right there with you. It leaves your hands free to write and explore the ideas put down to make you think, and to help get your story down on paper. I myself will be using it to help with my own writing.

*I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com".

An Intense Week and How to Structure Time

I think spinning ten spaghetti filled plates on sticks might have been easier than the level of focus I have had to apply to writing this week.

As many of you know, eight of my novels are being turned into audiobooks. It is a wonderful process and enables you to work with some fantastically talented people. It is a real joy to hear a professional producer interpret your story and characters into an audible reality. I love it. The thing that is the struggle for me is the amount of time spent listening to the books to finalise approval. Not only do I work full time, I write books, audio edit and attempt to maintain a life. It is an incredibly varied life; yet, it is about spinning numerous plates simultaneously. There are only so many hours in the week and a certain potential productivity.

With the above in mind, I have been asked how I do it all. The answer is quite simple: - I got rid of my television. I realised that I was spending at least two hours per night watching television in a state of mindless numbness. Two hours over seven days resulted in wasting 14 hours a week that I could dedicate to achieving my dreams. If you multiply that by 56 weeks in a year then you have 784 hours which is 32 and a half days. Thought of spending one month per year in front of a television horrified me. It was that realisation that made me take back my time.

Without a television as distraction, I immersed myself in writing and creating. The two hours a day of television became two hours of writing. In two hours I can write 5000 words. They might not be good words but they enable a book draft every couple of months. The time in edit enables the word-sithing and literary crafting. So I write a book, leave it to brew, edit a book and then write another. I have quite a back-log at the moment. There are times when I wonder why I spend hours of my time immersed in literary dreams and the answer is simple - I am driven to do it. It is a compulsion and part of me. When I don't do it, well I miss it. What's more, fragments of stories circle my mind like asteroids. The writing lands those asteroids and when I am being particularly creative there is a meteor shower.

I realised a few years ago that I will write my whole life whether or not it sold. It was something I was just going to do because it was my passion. As soon as that decision came to conscious, it was then the books began to sell because I was not doing it for money.  With all of the above in mind, time is precious and if you can create a structure and not be distracted by the noisy television screen in the corner, then you have taken the first step to working towards your dreams.

Ruby Allure Books:

AUDIBLE LINK FOR A SHORT COURSE IN CREATIVE WRITING: http://amzn.com/B01390THLK

21/08/15

 

"An Unexpected Gem"

***I was provided a copy of this audio book for the purpose of a review ***

With the required disclaimer out of the way, let me be brutally honest, I had not expected this little gem. In fact, I had expected my listening would be a bit rough and was fortified by it being less than 2 hours.

The synopsis says the author wrote the book as a takeaway from her evening classes on creative writing. My mental context was ... Community Ed evening classes ...and expected a well intended but kind of amateur product. However, I am interested in adult education, and batter my own nerd head against a giant personal creativity brick wall.

So you have an idea of my mind set... low expectations along with high interest.

Amateur hour it was NOT.

I don't know where the author teaches her class, but Sign Me Up! And bring the narrator. Wow. Two hours of unadulterated, straight up, right on, good learning material delivered by a close friend just sharing the material. The narrator's voice was warm, sincere without any artifact or pompous patronising, and well modulated throughout. The material was mind opening for me, with the right mix of the mechanics of writing exercises, sufficient context that using prompts now makes sense to me, and a sprinkling of the inner heart work of creativity through written material.

This was just what I didn't dare hope for in a how to creative writing listen.

Truly an unexpected gem and a learning and growing experience for me.

A keeper and one I will return to many times as I deconstruct my own wall, one block at a time.

Thank You, Ruby and Thank You, Erin.

 

TO BUY MONEY FARM ON AMAZON.com http://amzn.com/B010F04W9O

· Frode

06/08/15

5 STAR

"M.O.N.E.Y. is bad? This book is not!"

So Money Farm by Ruby Allure was a surprise! When I REALLY did not read things about this book I review for Audiobook Blast, I sometimes get books I don't know something about. BTW: I read 99% about the books I want to review, but this book I can't remember I did that for. Anyways: This was a nice surprise, and I think it is one of those books that is better the second time you read it. No joke! I listen to this twice before I made this! Money Farm makes you thin, and who does not like to hear a book that makes you think? It is an awesome book, that I will recommend to all that likes audiobooks, and really to people that does not!

Helen Lloyd English accent its the topic like a glow and a hand! Her "lady like" voice is so cold, and clear I feel that the author made this book thinking that Helen Lloyd would read it out loud! That is how I feel those two fits together! The 2 times 14 hrs and 6 mins I spend with her never feels boring or uninteresting! I would love to spend it again, and I will because this book I will hear again, and again, even when it is 14 hrs and 6 mins long! That is saying something!

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

MONEY FARM

· "Incredibly thought provoking..."

What did you like most about Money Farm?

It was an eye opener.

 

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way it made you think about the way normal everyday life is here and now, and the future...

 

Have you listened to any of Helen Lloyd’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Helen Lloyd narrated this fairly long audiobook brilliantly. Although the story content was very intense and thought provoking, her lovely smooth voice was very easy to listen to and I thought it was just perfect, a fascinating book wonderfully narrated.

 

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was, although it is too long to do so.

Turning Your Book into an Audio Book

The Art of Audio production.

http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Allure/e/B00M9Y4GAA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1434883172&sr=8-1

 

Imagine what it is like to hear a professional actor/actress read the book you spent years labouring over. It really is the most wonderful experience to have your characters interpreted and brought to life by a professional. This week was the week that two of my audio books were approved and have joined the queue of new audio releases.

http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Allure/e/B00M9Y4GAA/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Allow me to share with you the process, and I will be honest, it does involve work. First you have to make sure that your books are up to standard. They will have been proof-read and at publishable quality. You then offer them up for audition on ACX.com. Should a producer view them as profitable they will audition. You may receive a number of auditions for a book. It is then down to you to select the right voice for the book. Alternatively you can select producers who you will pay to produce your book. There are a couple of options on payment; however, you have to make a decision whether you wish to share royalties or make an initial payment. Personally I went for the shared option because then both the producer and I are making a time investment with potential of continued return.

https://www.acx.com/

 

Once the producer has agreed the terms of contract, they will then provide the first fifteen minutes of audio. It is during this time that you provide character insights and any details that you feel the producer should know in relation to character portrayal. You then allow the producer to get on with the project. I have worked with four different producers who all have somewhat different approaches. One lady produced the whole thing and advised me of her progress all the way through. I then went through and approved the whole book in consecutive chapters over a week. Two of the other producers went one chapter at a time, I validated and approved as they worked through the books. The fourth producer is going to provide the final project. He has had little contact or prompting and I am looking forward to hearing the final piece. Something I would say is that you have to pick the right producer for the work and trust them. They are professionals. For those who are control freaks, this process might not be for you.

http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Allure/e/B00M9Y4GAA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1434883172&sr=8-1

Once the book is produced you will have to go through chapter by chapter. You might not realise this but this is hours and hours of work. I did this on top of my writing and full time work. Needless to say it was quite a challenge. However, it is absolutely worth it.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Allure/e/B00M9Y4GAA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1434883172&sr=8-1

Once you have approved your work it is then submitted for quality validation by ACX. Now I have to say they are very detailed. They have asked for revisions and smoothing of background noise. Also another major fail on audio books is the cover. You have to make sure the title and author name absolutely match the details on the sales channel.  Once this has all been approved it is time for your book to join the release queue. This is where I am now… I am sooooooooooo excited. The delivery on Money Farm was so powerful. It is such a delight to listen to such a creation. The funny thing is that I listened to the book and had forgotten that I wrote it. That is how good Helen Lloyd, the producer is! Amazing!

 

http://www.audible.co.uk/mt/free_trial_special_offer_mt_at?bp_ua=

Labyrinthine is the other book that is being validated at the moment. Claire Ottewell produced this and she astounded me by her ability to shift through accents, ages and gender in the character delivery.

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Allure/e/B00M9Y4GAA/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

 

So all that remains now is to see how the world responds to the first two releases! Exciting!