by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Just thought I’d write an update today on a couple of
different topics that I’ve mentioned recently.
One topic is ACX,
the audiobook distributor. I’d mentioned
in
this post that I ‘d made my self-published books available for auditioning to narrators
and outlined the process I’d gone through to get to that point.
the audiobook distributor. I’d mentioned
in
this post that I ‘d made my self-published books available for auditioning to narrators
and outlined the process I’d gone through to get to that point.
I’ve found narrators for all three of
those books. Once you listen to the
auditions on the ACX site, you make an offer to one narrator (there’s actually a ‘make
an offer’ link right underneath the audition) and send a note to the others, to
let them know.
those books. Once you listen to the
auditions on the ACX site, you make an offer to one narrator (there’s actually a ‘make
an offer’ link right underneath the audition) and send a note to the others, to
let them know.
A pop-up window will ask you to specify your terms for the contract. Most of the contract is
set by ACX, but they’ll point out the areas you’ll need to give input (like the
payment arrangements…by the hour or royalty share…and your deadlines for
completion of both the first fifteen minutes and the project itself.) Then you hit send and the contract goes off to the
narrator.
set by ACX, but they’ll point out the areas you’ll need to give input (like the
payment arrangements…by the hour or royalty share…and your deadlines for
completion of both the first fifteen minutes and the project itself.) Then you hit send and the contract goes off to the
narrator.
ACX asks that if we do any contract-type
negotiation or make specific arrangements or notes for the narrator, that we do
it through the ACX message system. That
way there’s a record of our conversation in case there are any questions or
problems later. In their words:
negotiation or make specific arrangements or notes for the narrator, that we do
it through the ACX message system. That
way there’s a record of our conversation in case there are any questions or
problems later. In their words:
IMPORTANT:To be sure that you end up with a binding contract,
please work out all details of your Offer via ACX, using our internal
messaging system (simply by clicking “Send Message” on the Producer’s
profile). If you negotiate and agree to details via some other
channel—phone, video chat, whatever—those details aren’t going to be
reflected in our system, and you might not end up with the contract you
want, or any contract at all. And that’s not the safest way to work.
If the narrator is interested, he or she will accept the offer
through the ACX site. Once the first fifteen
minutes are completed, the narrator uploads the audio to the site (and,
once again, we get a notification email.
I rather like these notification emails, though, since audiobooks aren’t
the only thing I’m working on.) If we
accept their first fifteen minutes, we click the ‘accept’ link under the
audio. We can also send a message to the
narrator with specifics regarding their narration.
This way, if we’re not all on the same page, we can make sure we ask for
changes before the narrators invest time in the rest of the book.
through the ACX site. Once the first fifteen
minutes are completed, the narrator uploads the audio to the site (and,
once again, we get a notification email.
I rather like these notification emails, though, since audiobooks aren’t
the only thing I’m working on.) If we
accept their first fifteen minutes, we click the ‘accept’ link under the
audio. We can also send a message to the
narrator with specifics regarding their narration.
This way, if we’re not all on the same page, we can make sure we ask for
changes before the narrators invest time in the rest of the book.
This is where I am in the process…I’ve
approved two of the three books’ first fifteen minutes now. Each book has a slightly different
feel/narration to it since I’m getting all of the books done at once for the sake of
time. But each sounds good. Slightly campier sound to Dyeing Shame so far, but it’s a much campier
book than the other two. The narrator
nailed that aspect of it.
approved two of the three books’ first fifteen minutes now. Each book has a slightly different
feel/narration to it since I’m getting all of the books done at once for the sake of
time. But each sounds good. Slightly campier sound to Dyeing Shame so far, but it’s a much campier
book than the other two. The narrator
nailed that aspect of it.
On to the
other topic I’ve mentioned lately (or fretted over in the comments): the
fact that Google is pulling the cord on Google
Reader in July. I was pretty exasperated when the news broke. It does bring up (as many others have
said) the issue of whether we can trust Google, or really any of these online cloud services. We
believe they’ll continue a service, we invest time in it…and they discontinue
it.
other topic I’ve mentioned lately (or fretted over in the comments): the
fact that Google is pulling the cord on Google
Reader in July. I was pretty exasperated when the news broke. It does bring up (as many others have
said) the issue of whether we can trust Google, or really any of these online cloud services. We
believe they’ll continue a service, we invest time in it…and they discontinue
it.
Since I subscribe to
2346 blogs to curate writing links for Twitter, I’m considered a
power-user. I was a little concerned
about the process of migrating to another reader service and the possibility of
losing folders or blog subscriptions and having to face a time-sucking
challenge of restoring data or organization.
2346 blogs to curate writing links for Twitter, I’m considered a
power-user. I was a little concerned
about the process of migrating to another reader service and the possibility of
losing folders or blog subscriptions and having to face a time-sucking
challenge of restoring data or organization.
I exported to several different readers,
but quickly found that my favorite was Feedly. It was organized much the same way as Google
Reader (or, at least, we could configure it to be very much like Reader). Here’s the big thing—it hasn’t crashed yet. With the number of blogs that I work with on
the site, Google Reader would frequently crash—either freeze up, slow down
tremendously, or need to refresh, and I’d lose my place as I was working through the list of posts. This hasn’t happened with Feedly
yet. (Yes, I’m knocking on wood as I
type this.) It hasn’t crashed, despite a tremendous amount of influx by new users via the exodus from Google Reader
(at one point, over
500,000 users migrated to Feedly in a 48 hour period.)
but quickly found that my favorite was Feedly. It was organized much the same way as Google
Reader (or, at least, we could configure it to be very much like Reader). Here’s the big thing—it hasn’t crashed yet. With the number of blogs that I work with on
the site, Google Reader would frequently crash—either freeze up, slow down
tremendously, or need to refresh, and I’d lose my place as I was working through the list of posts. This hasn’t happened with Feedly
yet. (Yes, I’m knocking on wood as I
type this.) It hasn’t crashed, despite a tremendous amount of influx by new users via the exodus from Google Reader
(at one point, over
500,000 users migrated to Feedly in a 48 hour period.)
All of my folders transferred over and I
didn’t lose any subscriptions en route to Feedly.
didn’t lose any subscriptions en route to Feedly.
I can read blog posts by title, if I want
to (that’s usually how I like reading them). You can also choose other views…a
tile-type view, full post view, etc. Go
to “prefs” on the left-hand side of the screen, under your name, to make
adjustments to your settings. You might
want to change the Feedly default settings if you’re used to Google Reader.
to (that’s usually how I like reading them). You can also choose other views…a
tile-type view, full post view, etc. Go
to “prefs” on the left-hand side of the screen, under your name, to make
adjustments to your settings. You might
want to change the Feedly default settings if you’re used to Google Reader.
One irritating thing is that Feedly isn’t
supported in Internet Explorer/Windows.
That’s the only irritant so far, however. You can use it on Firefox and Chrome or
Safari…I’m using it in Firefox. Firefox
and I sometimes don’t get along, but it’s worth putting up with some conflicts
to get Feedly.
supported in Internet Explorer/Windows.
That’s the only irritant so far, however. You can use it on Firefox and Chrome or
Safari…I’m using it in Firefox. Firefox
and I sometimes don’t get along, but it’s worth putting up with some conflicts
to get Feedly.
Have you checked out ACX yet (US-only
right now, but I believe they have plans to be worldwide)? Found a new RSS reader?Do you read blogs with an RSS reader?
right now, but I believe they have plans to be worldwide)? Found a new RSS reader?Do you read blogs with an RSS reader?
Two things I’ve been wondering about, so yay that you covered both! Great to hear you’ve moved further on in the audio process; it is definitely interesting and as I said in your last post, I will be watching to see how it goes. (How cool was it to hear your words read by someone else?)
Also, I too have been thinking of switching to Feedly for a while now. Glad it’s working out for you! Good news is, I use Safari, so maybe it’s time to stop procrastinating and try it out. ;)
Thanks for keeping us posted!
I’m happy with Feedly so far as well, although having to use a different browser does irritate me. I keep forgetting it’s there!
Elizabeth – Thanks for those updates. I’m quite irritated myself about the end of Google Reader, but it’s good to hear that Feedly works for you. I’ll have to try it.
Thanks too for the ACX update. It sounds as though you’ve really made progress with getting your books narrated – something I really need to think about!
Hey, Elizabeth! Yes, I worked with ACX on the audiobook for BABY GRAND. In the end, I was very happy with the finished product and the way ACX handled the process and any questions I had about things along the way. And best of all the audiobook is selling! I’m anxiously awaiting the first review for it on Audible. :)
Finding narrators I would guess is both nerve racking and exciting.
I’ll check out Feedly.
Thanks for your updates.
Happy you found narrators.
I’m using Feedly at the moment but I’ll keep looking around. At least we had warning.
2346 blogs? Holy cow!
I’m still in the procrastination mode (too many other things on my plate presently) but I have heard good things about Feedly. I use Chrome as my browser of choice and rarely use IE, so that would work.
Interesting info on ACX.
Jessica–You know, hearing someone read your words is a *very* different experience. I can’t really describe it.
Oh, if you’re on Safari already, switching to Feedly will be a snap for you.
Dina–So glad it worked out so well for you! Fingers crossed for some great reviews and sales. :)
Jemi –I’m usually an I.E. person, too.
Margot–It’s fairly intuitive and much like Reader. Hope you’ll check it out.
Diane–Yes, that was the one thing Google did right with this mess…let us know in advance. I saw today that I could no longer add blog subscriptions to Google Reader…it wanted to add them to some iGoogle thing that I haven’t explored yet.
~Sia –It’s really an automatic transfer…you log into your Google Reader account while on the Feedly site and they transfer the subscriptions over. It was great!
Teresa–It’s both, you’re right! Hope you’ll enjoy Feedly.
I have both Feedly and Bloglovin’ set up and I think I’m going with the latter. I can’t find a way to delete subscriptions in Feedly.
I am annoyed that they’re cancelling Google Reader. Can’t understand why. It already disappeared from my gmail area, and I have to go to favorites. It’s time to make the switch. Thanks for the input on other options.
I think it would be really cool to set up audio readings and narrators. I hope that all goes well for you!
Play off the Page
Alex–If you click on “organize” on the top-left corner, you can delete them. :)
Mary–I noticed the same thing. It did make me start using Feedly instead of hanging onto Google Reader for as long as I could.
I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award at my blog (to add to your shiny collection ; ]).
And, as always, found this post very interesting. It made me wonder how people decide to become a book narrator. Sounds fun. : ]
Kas–Thanks so much! That’s very kind of you. :)
One of the author email loops I’m on convinced me to go to ACX…lots of ex-traditional romance writers on the loop and having some good success with ACX. One has worked with ACX quite a bit and said there were many ex-soap opera actors, etc. on there to narrate. I think it could be a great gig if you have the sound-proof room, equipment, time, etc.
This is all fascinating. Never had any idea about it before. Thanks for sharing Elizabeth. Possibly because I’ve yet to come into contact with audiobooks.
Editors–Thanks for coming by! Yes, it’s a whole new world and I’m just starting to explore it. :)
Internet Explorer? My my.
Feedly works beautifully in Chrome, my browser of choice both as a user and web developer. Nice to hear it works well in Firefox, too.
I abandoned Google Reader as soon as they deprecated it. Loading up Feedly, I was reminded how nice it is to have all my reads in one place. Thanks for the pointer.
For other dinosaurs out there using IE, I’ve switched to The Old Reader. It looks/acts very much like Google Reader.
Joel–I’m blushing. :) Yes, I got rather addicted to my IE for a while. Now, I did use Firefox for a couple of years in there, but then it started bombing on me and it drove me batty trying to figure out which of my (many) plug-ins was the culprit, so I gave up. Patience is a virtue that I don’t have!
Now Chrome…I never could get along with Chrome, although I’ve tried from time to time. Kept crashing on me. Of course, my husband reminds me that I do have those 20 or 25 windows open at all times and that *might* have something to do with it!
Alan–I’m glad I’m not the only dinosaur! And good mention. That’s one of the three that I exported to. Unfortunately…I broke it. :) Oops. It never imported my entire collection of blogs, but then I have a ridiculous number of blogs! My friend Mike Fleming (Hiveword, WKB) has had a much better experience with Old Reader and enjoys using it.
Chrome crashing? Huh.
When you post your Twitter stream posts, I pop through and open every link I want to read; often 20+ at once. No problem.
Perhaps there’s something else going on? Of course, if you’re happy with your experience, don’t fix what ain’t broke.
My husband, W. K. Berger, had his period thriller THE PURPLES recorded recently via a match made on ACX–the narrator (an L.A. actor named Chris Ciulla) did a great job with all the voices. Only problem is: we can’t figure out how to promote the audiobook! All of our friends/social media connections have already read the book in either ebook or print so aren’t looking to buy the audiobook, and they don’t seem super-interested in promoting the audio to all their friends either–they already did that when it was published in print. I’m in the process of trying to find review and promotional outlets for audiobooks but have to admit it’s daunting (especially with the fact that Audible prices the audiobook at $24+). Audible doesn’t offer many tips on this, just tells you to set up a blog and use social media (duh). I’ll be interested to read about your efforts to promote your new audiobooks.