Listening Dilemmas

I always have an audiobook on the go. I do enjoy being read to, although Spider isn't a great orator unless he wants to go outside for a wee at 2.30am.

I listen in my car if I have a long-ish journey, or in the bath, often while I'm baking, or set the sleep timer on Audible and listen in bed. I love listening to several books in a series, one after the other in the correct order, and am listening to Elly Griffiths' 'Ruth Galloway' series at the moment. The previous series was Val McDermid's 'Kate Brannigan', which ended far too soon for my liking, and before that random Agatha Raisin books by MC Beaton. I have also recently discovered that one of my favourite local authors is sharing his books on Spotify, although Barkley Johnson's 'Honkeymoon Cafe, Village Tales' keep me awake at night so I don't listen to them in bed. Robert Galbraith's 'Cormoran Strike' books are also not recommended if you want a good night's sleep!

Not all books suit the audio format. Some of them you want to savour, to flick back through the pages to double-check characters or events, or slow the action down if the story is racing too fast. Similarly there are scenes I would rather skip, if the description of torture or murder is too graphic I don't want that stuck in my brain, but the rest of the story is gripping and worth reading.

Sometimes the narrator is dreadful, and I have learned the hard way to listen to the sample before committing to purchasing.

As soon as I published 'The Limner's Art' in paperback and as an e-book I was asked to also produce it in audio. The cost was prohibitive to produce an audiobook, particularly as I didn't know how well 'The Limner's Art' was going to be received. As the years have passed I have dipped my toe into the world of audiobooks, and quickly pulled it out again. This is a specialised product, requiring all the gear and expertise necessary to narrate, edit, and produce the quality product, and time-consuming.

I am dipping my toe again. In fact, my ankle may be getting a bit wet. Do I hire an actor, a sound studio, a sound technician, and create a product which is compatible with Audible's self-publishing standards? Do I hire someone who can do the lot, without any input from me? Is there anyone who would put their own name and reputation on the line by associating with my books? Are my books good enough for someone to listen to? Are my books good enough for someone to narrate? Do I attempt to do it all myself? Am I capable? Shall I take a gamble with 'Field Murder' and see how it is received, or commit to the five books in the 'Woodford Mystery' series? Would they suit a male or a female voice? Do I have a timeframe? What's my budget? Would anyone buy them?

Meanwhile book 6 in the Woodford Mystery series is occupying my writing time. I can't wait for you to read it!

Questions. Decisions. Splash, splish, splosh.