Friday, July 01, 2011

The Sebastian Series Comes to Audio



I've never had any of my books released in an audio version, but that's about to change: coming in August, Recorded Books will be bringing out Where Shadows Dance in both cassettes and CDs. To say I am excited is an understatement.

I have to admit I'd always hoped that if an audio version were made of the series, the reader would be male. But I don't see how I can complain, given that Davina Porter has a stunning list of audio books to her name. She's perhaps best known as the reader for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon series. But she's also read for Anne Perry, Ruth Rendell, and Alexander McCall Smith.

Personally, I don't usually listen to audio books. I tried several while I was driving back and forth to work on the house after Katrina, and I listened to quite a few when I went through several months of twice-daily, half-hour physical therapy for a messed up shoulder. But that's about it. My husband Steve, on the other hand, listens to them constantly and churns through several a week. He has several subscriptions and will sometimes buy a book he enjoys listening to (the most recent being Bill Bryson's At Home). He also frequently tries listening to new (to him) authors and, if he likes them, he'll then buy hard copies of their backlist to read. So I'm hoping coming out in audio will help the series reach a new audience.

Recorded books has also bought the audio rights to When Maidens Mourn, which should be out next year. Hopefully if there's enough interest in the series, they'll go back and pick up the earlier books.

The link to the book on their site is here, although there's not much to look at yet.

15 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

I've still never listened to an actual audio book. I've let my Kindle read some too me but that's definitely not the same.

Charles Gramlich said...

Oh, and cool of course. I hope it does wonderfully.

Sphinx Ink said...

Wow, fabulous news! And Davina Porter is a wonderful reader. Hiring her to read is a sign of how much they respect your work. I look forward to listening to your book.

Rue said...

Yahoo, I love audiobooks!

Steve Malley said...

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

That is GREAT! My husband listens to them all the time. LOL. He also listened to latest Bryson and then bought it later as a book. Do you know if they will be selling it to other audio book companies? I ask because we are members of "audible" and would love to get it through there. Also, I had asked before about possible audible books for your Tobi and Jax series. Will they ever become audible books? Sabena

Faith said...

So exciting! I listen to one or so audio book a week while commuting to work. It's a wonderful distraction from driving.

As soon as I saw the cover with D. Porter's name I laughed because I am halfway thru listening to the Outlander series. I think I'd listen to almost anything read by her. Hopefully other people feel the same way. Wonderful narrator.

Essex said...

Hmmm. Maybe I will give audiobooks another try, but I have to admit that I have never cared for them. I am not sure why, but one factor is definitely that I just love the act of actually reading. My favorite afternoon activity is to have a cup of tea, a fuzzy blanket, and a good book( electronic or paper!) There is a huge market for audio books, so getting Sebastian out on audio is a big coup. Congrats!

Sarah said...

SOOOOOO excited!!!! Now I can listen to them at work! I've never heard Davina Porter but I'm sure she's wonderful. Regardless, this is great news!

I have around 15 audio books that I cycle through on my iPod...now I can have some more!

~Sarah

cs harris said...

Charles, you should try one of those subscriptions like Steve has, since you do listen to your Kindle.

Sphinx Ink, I'd come to the conclusion it wasn't going to happen since it wasn't ready for the book's release, so it's a nice surprise.

Rue, I sometimes wonder if I didn't like the experience simply because I didn't like the books I listened to. I need to try it again with an author I know I like.

Steve, thank you.

Sabena, that's funny about Byson's book. I wonder how many people did that? As for Audible, I had thought that they'd bought one of the earlier books, but nothing seems to have come of it. I'm not sure that two different companies will bring out the same book. Do you know if they do? I freely admit to a certain ignorance on this subject.

Faith, do you ever select a book because of the reader? I know Steve will not listen to a book if he knows from experience he doesn't like the reader.

Essex, I suspect if I did a lot of driving I might be more interested in them--although I think if I got TOO interested I'd be a hazard on the road. I had to stop listening to some Arabic language CDs after Katrina because I was concentrating too hard and not paying attention to my driving!

cs harris said...

Sarah, my husband puts books on his iPod, too, and listens as he putters out in the garage and around the yard. I have to either stand there and wave my arms or go yank the earbuds out if I want his attention.

Rue said...

Candy, I started to like audiobooks only after first reading a book in print and loving it; the Harry Potter stories are a great listen. Do you have any "say" in who will narrate your book(s)? I think the narrator is VERY IMPORTANT, a bad narrator can ruin a story! Can't wait to give your story(ies) "a listen"!

cs harris said...

Rue, I have no say at all in the selection of the narrator, so I am feeling VERY lucky they chose someone who is as well respected as Porter. I've seen Steve stop listening to a book because he hated the reader.

Unknown said...

Am very pleased to hear you'll be on audi as well - though I admit to loving sitting with a book in my hands I also will be getting an ipad this summer (hello birthday). My boys both listen to audio books frequently - especially my oldest - though he is more a scifi guy. Thank you for these books!! I am just about to pick up your latest to finish the series so far - but I am so sad to have to wait til next year for the next installment .... I am anxious to see how you will write them as married and what their relationship will finally come out to be.

cs harris said...

Libbireads, thank you. I do hope you enjoy the latest installment.