June is Audiobook Month! Chance for a free book!

Along with my annual excuse to post my favorite meme featuring Ryan Gosling, June is Audiobook month!  I decided to hold a drawing the first week of #JIAM for two free downloads from Audible of my latest recording, Marilyn Monroe: My Little Secret by Tony Jerris.  This will be very scientific.  Just leave a comment below -- even if all you do is say 'Hi' -- and next Sunday two winners will be chosen to be gifted a free copy.  For the 'drawing' part of it, I plan to print and cut out the comments, fold them up and place them in a bowl.  Then I'll have my husband, George, pick two of the entries to determine the winners.  Oooh -- that's some high-tech stuff.

If you've never listened to an audiobook before, consider this a chance to find out what it's like.  While I'm at it, I'd like to give a big shout-out to LibriVox -- a site that offers free recordings of books in the Public Domain.  (That would be books published before 1923 in the U.S.)  Check them out if you've never been to their site.  I don't record as much for them as I used to but I try to never miss the weekly poetry reading.

Have a great week and, remember, leave a comment below for a chance to win the Marilyn book! 

 

My latest solo now in the LibriVox catalog

During the down time I've recently taken in order to get some DIY projects finished, I did get around to recording another solo audiobook for LibriVox.   The book is a mystery aimed at young adults and teens called The Secret Mark by Roy J. Snell.

Student Lucile Tucker works part-time at the library of the large university she attends in Chicago to help pay her tuition. One night, while closing the library for the evening, she glimpses a small child – a girl – in the stacks. Carefully following her, Lucile can’t believe her eyes when the child, unaware that she has been seen, manages to steal a valuable book from the collection and practically disappear from the library right before Lucile’s eyes. This is only the beginning of her search for why this child took this book (and others). Lucile enlists the assistance of her good friend and roommate Florence, a fellow student, to attempt to solve this mystery on her own. She can’t bear the thought of this sweet-faced child being turned over to the police despite her apparent thefts. Enter the world of these college women as they brave the city streets at night in unsavory sections of Chicago on their quest. Who is the elderly man in the crumbling cottage? What is the significance of the ‘mark’ inside the front covers of the books? Has someone been shadowing the women on their search…

This book, like all LibriVox audiobooks, is free and can be streamed or downloaded from here.

It's that time again! June is Audiobook Month! JIAM

Yes, once again, audiobook month has rolled around.  I would certainly be remiss if I didn't post about this topic.  If you've never listened to an audiobook but would like to dip your toe in the water, please give LibriVox a try.  The audiobooks are free -- all are recorded by volunteers.  The books are ones in the Public Domain which in the U.S. means they were published before 1923.  Great way to listen to a classic or two that you've never gotten around to reading.  You can even follow along with the printed text which is available for each book recorded.  Moby Dick, anyone?


There's a small audiobook company I've mentioned many times on this blog.  Iambik Audiobooks works with small and independent publishers to get their author's works recorded.  The books are very reasonably priced and Iambik always posts the entire first chapter of each book on the site so that you get a pretty good listen before deciding to purchase.  I've recorded for them and they're a great bunch of people.



Of course, you can't talk about audiobooks without a shout out to Audible.  They are the 'big Kahuna' when it comes to recorded books.  I'm currently working on my 14th title for them.  My 13th is coming out later this month -- I'll post details here when it does.  There are thousands and thousands of books available on Audible so you won't have trouble finding something to your liking. 

For kids/young adults, there's a great and free program going on again this summer.  The site called  "SYNC: YA Literature Into Your Earphones" posts 2 free books each week during the summer months.  One book is a contemporary title and the second is usually a classic.  Up for free download until June 13th are The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, read by Katherine Kellgren and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, narrated by Wanda McCaddon.  You can download these two books from here.   Remember that the books change every two weeks so don't miss out!

And, naturally, I can't finish this post without my favorite meme featuring Ryan Gosling.  Happy listening!

Visual poetry

I've been a volunteer reader for LibriVox since 2007 and, although I haven't had as much time to read books for them since I've been narrating-for-pay, I still like to participate in their weekly poem reading.  Every Sunday a different poem (one that's in the Public Domain, of course) is chosen by members of LibriVox.  The poem may be recorded by anyone who chooses to participate.  The collection of readings for that poem is then proof-listened, cataloged and released for listening on the following Sunday.  There is also a bi-weekly poem reading, too.  As with the weekly poem, the bi-weekly poem is listed on Sunday but prospective readers have two weeks to record the poem as this one is released two Sundays after it's posted.  Sometimes I record both the weekly and bi-weekly poems depending on my schedule and, also, if the poem intrigues me.

This is a wonderful way to 'get your feet wet' if you've ever thought about recording for LibriVox.  Everyone there is very helpful and it's such a great way to experience or re-experience the joy of poetry.  I rarely miss a weekly poem recording.  Now, this is where the 'visual' in the title of this post comes in.  Because our recordings are released into the Public Domain, anyone may use the recordings as they please.  We do appreciate it if LibriVox is credited and the reader, too.  I discovered early on that many of the members of LibriVox had found their readings being used for filmmakers who then posted their videos on YouTube.com. 

It's flattering to have someone use your reading for a video and there are several LibriVox members who have had, literally, dozens of their poetry readings used.  Kristen Hughes is a favorite reader (and with good reason if you've heard her voice) although she has not always been credited by the YouTube user.  The first time I stumbled across a poem I'd read that was now accompanying a video, it was a bit of a shock.  I wasn't credited (although I am now since contacting the filmmaker) and it was so strange to recognize my voice.  Since that first find, I've searched a few times and come across a few other videos that have used my readings but that can be hit-and-miss since, as I've mentioned, LibriVox and/or it's readers are often not credited.

Here's the first one I found.  It's one of my favorite poems by Emily Dickinson -- "I Heard a Fly Buzz -- when I died" -- and the filmmaker entered his video into a one minute film contest in Belgium.  The filmmaker is Jim van Nunen.  Original music by Joris van der Herten.  Reading by moi.  It can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2HXOoCVKuM  Apparently, the filmmaker does not allow embedding.   A little spooky but fun.  Here's a still pic from it although you have to use the link I gave to watch the film.

I came across another poem in the past couple of weeks.  Once again, this was by accident since, although I was credited, my name is misspelled in the credits.  At least the filmmaker did list me and LibriVox which we really appreciate.  This poem is "All Things Can Tempt Me" by William Butler Yeats.  I really like the Public Domain images that the maker, Othniel Smith, used to illustrate his 'vision' of this poem. 

I've come across a few more listed under the column on the bottom right-hand side of my blog but they basically used photographs and some nature sounds to accompany the poems.  I'm still flattered that they used my readings and I'm glad that the makers of these vidoes are exposing more people to poetry and to LibriVox.

Catching up

I'm currently doing the prep work to record a book for Iambik and still plugging along on my current LibriVox solo.  The Iambik book is an older classic -- I'll post more about it later.  I'm also waiting to hear second call-backs on three titles I auditioned for on ACX.  Publishers and authors can take a reallllly long time to make up their minds.  I can't really blame them.  Once the recording is out there -- it's out there.  

On the yarn front, I finished a black cabled knit hat that could be for either a man or a woman.  Still working on the ladies royal blue drop-stitch scarf.  This is a fresh batch since I sent a box a week ago to The Humble Stitch.  My friend Kate confirmed that it arrived safely.  In addition to the articles of clothing, Kate told me there were 20 knit/crochet squares (for Knit-A-Square) in the box.  I didn't realize how many of those Linda and I had made in a relatively short time -- I didn't think to count them.      

I also discovered, via Facebook, a new auction site.  It's called Tophatter and features a lot of nice handmade items from people who have shops on Etsy or have their own website.  It's free to join but you can 'watch' the auctions in real time if you like without joining.  You just can't bid (or sell anything) unless you sign up.  I've bought a few little items and also sold a few things I no longer needed.  They have a number of categories and they seem to constantly add more.  Check them out.

Now, back to editing audiofiles.  Not my favorite thing to do but it must be done...

New LibriVox project and other updates

I've started working on my newest solo for LibriVox.  I chose a young adult or teenage book called The Girl Aviators and the Phantom Airship by Margaret Burnham.  This book is the first in a series advertised as the 'Girl Aviator Series' and is aimed at teenaged girls on up.  I was happily surprised that these were not already in the LibriVox catalog but, of course, LibriVox always welcomes additional readings of any Public Domain books.  After I finished the last two books I recorded, Peggy's Trial and Camp-Fire Girls in the Country or The Secret Aunt Hannah Forgot, I donated the copies to Project Gutenberg since these books were not yet in their catalog.  I received a very nice thank you email from them and one of their scanners/proof-readers will be uploading these books to PG's database as he finishes them.

I've also continued with my knitting and crocheting for charity.  I finished the cabled hat that was a 'work-in-progress' in a previous post and I've also made some more squares for the Knit A Square project. They have posted a wishlist for the coming year which will be very helpful for me and my knitting friends when we decide what to make other than squares.  In addition to my charity knitting and crocheting, I've been busily at work on a new Amigurumi project.  I'll post more about it with pictures when I'm finished.  Oh, and when Duane and Linda and I were out antiquing near where Duane lives, we came across a shop that had a bunch of old and vintage knitting needles.  Some were even made of bakelite.  Duane and I have both bought some of the old plastic ones and I love knitting with them.  They're so light and smooth.  I haven't tried bamboo needles which I know that many people praise for the same reason.  I just love the idea of using vintage needles.  Apparently this dealer has more needles and has been putting a small bunch out at a time.  Great for us since we can check back to see what's new in style and size.

In the mean time, I'm waiting for responses to various auditions I've sent out for audiobooks for pay including several that will be recorded for Iambik.

Updates on LibriVox and all things yarn

I finished my latest LibriVox project, Peggy's Trial by Mary Knight Potter, and it can be found in the catalog here.  A very sweet story for children, particularly girls, ages 8-10.  This is the summary I wrote for LibriVox:    "Ten-year old Peggy Clayton and her two younger brothers, Teddy and Harry, live with their father, Dr. Clayton, and Nurse, a woman who has taken care of them since the death of their mother when Peggy was five. Peggy is a sweet and kind little girl with a big imagination and a great sense of fun. Peggy's Trial follows her adventures with her friends at school, the mischief she and her brothers cause poor old Nurse, and even Peggy’s being chased by a bull. But nothing can prepare Peggy, Teddy and Harry when they fear they may lose their beloved father to a stepmother."

I still haven't decided on my next LibriVox project.  Usually I know what I plan to record next but I've got so many possibilities that I've come across that I can't decide.  Something I need to do today.

Long knit scarf - WIP

I'm still knitting and crocheting squares for the Knit A Square project but I've been concentrating more on making actual items for The Humble Stitch.  I've ventured outside my comfort zone and I'm actually knitting a cabled hat.

Cabled hat - WIP

It's one of three works-in-progress that I have going right now.  The other two are scarves.  A drop stitch scarf for a woman and a long knitted one for a man. 

Dropstitch scarf - WIP

At the moment, I have 13 finished squares, one hat, two scarves and 2 pairs of handwarmers.  Duane and Linda are working on squares and both of them plan to begin one of the long knit scarves as their first project beyond making squares.  We should have a package ready pretty soon to send to The Humble Stitch.  I really like the handwarmers or fingerless gloves pattern that I found on the blog Speckless.  Although I plan to try some other patterns, this is going to be my go-to one for this item.  A big thanks to Heidi at Speckless for sharing the pattern she created!

Finished pieces.

And I'm still researching scripts to audition for at ACX and, of course, Iambik.  Many of us have auditions out that we're waiting to hear yea or nay on.  Authors and publishers can be very slow in responding, particularly on ACX where I'm sure they're inundated with auditions.  I've been mostly sending in auditions for nonfiction on ACX but I'm now looking at some fiction, too, particularly mysteries.

Since I've just bought a new computer, I've had to tweak a few things in my recording set-up.  Mostly for the better since this computer is (thankfully) very quiet.  

LibriVox and other updates

I finally finished recording and editing Camp-Fire Girls in the Country or The Secret Aunt Hannah Forgot by Stella M. Francis for LibriVox.  It has been cataloged and can be found here.  The mystery reads a bit like a Nancy Drew book and the age group for this book could span from around 10-14 years old.  Here's the summary I wrote for LibriVox:

"Teen-ager Hazel Edwards and the other twelve members of the Flamingo Camp-Fire Girls experience some real adventure when they are invited to spend part of their summer as guests of Hazel’s elderly aunt on her large country farm. Mrs. Hannah Hutchins is a widow living alone with a few servants and farming assistants in her home in the midwestern town of Fairberry. The girls set up camp on a section of Aunt Hannah’s farm but, before too long, an incident occurs during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Fairberry. What happens will have far-reaching consequences for Hazel’s Aunt Hannah and the girls of Flamingo Camp Fire as they must use the skills they’ve gained to fend off desperate characters and help Aunt Hannah to ‘remember’ what she forgot. This book, Camp-Fire Girls in the Country or The Secret Aunt Hannah Forgot, is one of numerous books written about the Camp-Fire Girls and their experiences."

This was a book I found in a used bookstore that was going out of business.  Because it's not currently available in print online, I've donated this copy to Project Gutenberg to be digitized.  My next recording for LibriVox is the other children's book I purchased from the same store that is also not currently available in print online.  Peggy's Trial by Mary Knight Potter was published in 1901.  When I finish recording this book, I'm planning to donate it to Project Gutenberg, too.

In addition to sending out audiobook auditions, I've continued to knit and crochet for Knit A Square and The Humble Stitch along with several of my friends.  Right now I have completed 11 squares for Knit A Square.  For The Humble Stitch, I just finished my first set of fingerless gloves or handwarmers.   (I had George model them for the photo.)  I made these with a man in mind but they could really be worn by either sex.  I'm really pleased with not only how easy these were to make but also how easy it will be to adjust the size for the pattern to make larger or smaller gloves.  I found the pattern on this blog called Speckless.  The blogger also has links to other items she has made.  Very talented lady!

I plan to make more of these gloves but I want to make a hat or scarf first.  Since I'm starting so early in the year, I should have quite a few donations for The Humble Stitch before next winter.

Edit, edit, edit and Amigurumi cupcakes

I've been really pushing the past few days to catch up on my editing for my LibriVox book, Camp-Fire Girls in the Country.  I managed to finish recording all of the chapters and now I'm busily editing them to finish this book up so I can decide on my next LibriVox project.

In between bouts of editing, I've been working on crocheting Amigurumi cupcakes for my nieces for Valentine's Day.  Unlike the dogs I made for them for Christmas, I did not want to have to hurry to have these finished in time.  As it turned out, they were pretty fast to make.  This pattern is a larger size -- like a 'big' cupcake or a muffin.  There are patterns for much smaller ones using smaller hooks that I'd like to try but they would take longer to make and I'm a little crunched for time right now.  Overall, I'm pretty pleased with these.  I made one chocolate one and two vanilla.  All with pink icing, of course.  Instead of threading beads or sewing thread on the tops for decoration, I decided to use these buttons I came across at Michael's.  They're heart shaped strawberries with sparkly stones set into them.  The girls love anything that sparkles.  Since these are firmly  sewn onto the tops, they should be able to withstand being played with.  I had to explain this concept to George.  He thought they looked great  but (after squeezing them first), he asked what the girls were supposed to do with them.  (Insert rolling of eyes here.)  Play with them and pretend they have real cupcakes that they're making, serving, etc.  I assured him that I was giving them Valentine's Day M&Ms to go with them.  That part he understood -- something sweet to eat.

Now, it's back to editing and getting this book into the catalog... 

Back to work after a fun Saturday

Yesterday, Linda and I took Duane to lunch and supplied cake and presents for her birthday.  We went to several of our usual favorite places to shop including Kaleidoscope where we all made purchases.  Duane bought a set of bookends she had been eyeing, I bought a beautiful trapunto style pillow with the outline of a chandelier and Linda bought a fab pink mid-century serving bowl and she finally broke down and bought the last of the three tile top tables that she had wanted.  This one has a black iron frame and the top is composed of black and green tiles.  Very pretty.  After hitting a few more shops, we had lunch at Mikey's and then headed back to Duane's for chocolate cake.  A fun day.
              

When I got home late in the afternoon, I finished a pair of slipper socks I knitted for my mother's birthday.  The pattern was very easy but I will NEVER use this type of yarn again.  It's called Red Heart Light & Lofty and, boy, was it a pain to work with.  It is incredibly soft and thick so the slippers feel great -- I tried them on before washing and drying them -- but this yarn has a tendency to split and I ended up with too many stitches, etc.  Ick.  I'm also including a gift certificate to one of my mother's favorite department stores with the slippers.    



Now, I'm concentrating on making more squares for the KasCare knit (or crochet) project to make blankets for orphans of AIDS.  My friend Barbara gathered together all of the squares we had finished last Friday and we had enough for one full blanket (60 squares) and most of another one.  I gave her the ten squares I had ready to go so now I'm back to making more.  I crocheted a quick one last night and I'm about halfway through another.  I've also been looking at more of the Amigurumi patterns that I mentioned a couple of posts ago.  I may make Amigurumi cupcakes for my three nieces for Valentine's Day.  There are so many cute patterns for these that it's hard to decide which one(s) to make.

Today, I spent quite a bit of time in my recording booth.  I need to finish up my latest LibriVox solo, Camp-Fire Girls in the Country by Stella M. Francis.  I had fallen behind on my self-imposed schedule due to catching a cold that knocked my voice out of commission for about 2 weeks and then the holidays.  I recorded 6 chapters today so my next step is to edit, edit, edit.  I also recorded the weekly poem for LibriVox.  This week it's "O Hollow! Hollow! Hollow!" by W.S. Gilbert, from the opera Patience.  That's one of the things I love about the weekly and fortnightly poetry readings -- you never know what someone is going to suggest.

I'll have an update on happenings at Iambik Audiobooks very soon -- probably this week.  We're starting to gear up again after the holiday season.  There is one book coming out that I mentioned in a previous posting that's a collection of crime stories by different authors.  I read a story for that one called "Bits and Pieces" which definitely fit the genre.  We also have another collection coming up and some more solos.  I'll post here when they've been published. 

Yarns -- from the recording kind to the craft kind

My first square.

My cyber-friend, Kate, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale, heads up an organization called The Humble Stitch Project.  I've mentioned in previous entries here where I've come across great deals on skeins of yarn and I've mailed them to The Humble Stitch for volunteers to knit and crochet items for the homeless in South Florida.  (Yes, it can get pretty cold there, too.)  After telling my friend, Barbara, about this project she was immediately interested since she's an avid knitter.  She passed the word on to other librarians and friends and it was decided that as many of us as possible would knit and/or crochet squares for another site mentioned on The Humble Stitch. 

KasCare Aid for AIDS Orphans has a site called Knit A Square where anyone may knit or crochet 8" by 8" squares that will then be joined together to make blankets to keep these children warm.  It is estimated that there are 14.8 million orphans in sub-saharan Africa.  1.9 million  live in South Africa.  It takes 60 of these squares to form one blanket.  We're going to try to make at least enough squares for one blanket by the New Year and hopefully many more to follow.  I decided to crochet my first square.  I'm going to knit my second one to see if one way is faster than the other for me.  I hadn't picked up a crochet hook in over 25 years and it's been even longer since I knitted.  I knitted some as a kid.

Ladies black scarf.

I've also been working on items to send to The Humble Stitch.  I've finished a ladies black scarf and I'm currently working on a navy hat for a man.  The scarf is crocheted and I'm knitting the hat.  I hope to have a few more items finished to mail to them before Christmas.  It's amazing how fast these skills return to you even after many years.  

Partial man's hat.

I'm still recording my latest solo for LibriVox -- Camp-Fire Girls in the Country by Stella M. Francis.  I'm actually behind in editing but pretty far ahead in recording which is a good thing in case I happen to be unfortunate enough to catch any of the colds that have been making the rounds.  Nasty colds and voice recording don't mix.  Right now, it's slowed down a bit at Iambik due to everyone (including publishers) taking holidays.  I'll be reporting here on our next releases, though.  Meanwhile, it's a great time to take out my yarn, work awhile, then go back to editing sound files.  Oh, and breaking out the Christmas decorations, too!

Another finished solo in the LibriVox catalog

I finished up my solo of A Yellow Journalist by Miriam Michelson and it's now in the LibriVox catalog.  This is the second book by Miriam Michelson that I've recorded for LV and I've really liked both of them.  The first title was In the Bishop's Carriage.  Here's the summary I wrote for A Yellow Journalist:
"Rhoda Massey is a young, sharp reporter for a daily newspaper in San Francisco. After proving herself an astute and fearless investigator on her first big story, she spends most of her waking hours running down leads and doing (almost) anything it takes to produce headline grabbing tales and to be the first one to do so. She must compete with her male colleagues where she works but also with those from other newspapers. Rhoda discovers it useful to be pretty and small in stature (great for eavesdropping from tight and unusual locations) but it's her shrewd mind and her nose for news that propel her to pursue stories in dangerous places and, sometimes, from dangerous characters. Just how far is she prepared to go as a ‘yellow’ journalist who wants the truth and at what price to her integrity? Then there’s the respected and handsome reporter, Ted Thompson, from a rival newspaper. Will he have a place in Rhoda’s life?"

Give it a listen here or, if you prefer to read it yourself, it's in the public domain and can be read from your monitor or downloaded to just about any type of e-reader from here.

I just began recording my next solo.  This is a book for girls, probably around the age of junior high, called Camp-Fire Girls in the Country or The Secret Aunt Hannah Forgot by Stella M. Francis.  This is one of the children's books I came across at a used bookstore that was going out of business.  It hasn't been scanned for online distribution yet but I plan to donate this copy to Project Gutenberg after I finish recording it.  They will then scan and add it to their online collection of free e-books. 

I knew about the Camp-Fire girls organization while growing up but I was never a member.  (I was a Girl Scout, though.)  There was a series of these books written.  I believe LibriVox has at least one of them in their collection.

No! No! No! Not the street guys!!!

Just as I was about to start recording a very long chapter in my current LibriVox project today, I heard the unmistakable sounds of city workers beginning street resurfacing of my neighborhood.  Argh!   This means we'll have to drive on one side of the street only as they pave the other side.  That I can handle.  It's the noise part I can't take.  I can hear that truck and bulldozer (or whatever they call it) inside my recording studio/closet.  When the windows and house rumble -- that's a problem.

The chapters for A Yellow Journalist have all been pretty long but this one, chapter 12, is 30 pages.  I wanted to wrap this book up because I have two children's books that I found in a used bookstore that was  going out of business that are not listed on any of the usual places online.  (That store was a goldmine.)  Both books are pre-1923 so I can record them for LibriVox and then donate the books to Project Gutenberg to be scanned and added to

Not me but pretty close.

their online full-text printed books collection -- free for everyone.


Today's events and the days coming up have put a kink in my plans.  I finished the short story for a crime collection that's being produced by Iambik but, right now the only books available for audition are all for male narrators.  So I thought this would be a good time to work on my LibriVox projects before I have another chance at some auditions for Iambik.

I am not a happy camper today.  I know these guys are just doing their jobs but, nevertheless.  I guess it's a good excuse to watch the last episode of BBCA's "Luther" on demand.

Here is my response to the noise.  I feel like blasting it from my front window but they might actually like it. From one of my favorite divas -- Karen O.

Group project coming up on Iambik, etc.

Although we've had at least one book recorded at Iambik that involved two narrators, we're getting ready to try something we haven't done before.  Las Vegas Noir is a collection of crime stories by different authors.  Some of the stories feature male narrators and others feature female so we decided (with the editors' blessing) to match our voices with the various stories.

Very excited about this for several reasons.  This will be my first 'crime' read for Iambik and I think the idea of a group project for this is a great one.  Anyone purchasing the book will be able to hear a pretty good sample of many of our narrators.  I'll post later when I know which story I'll be reading.   

Right now I'm plugging along on my latest LibriVox solo, A Yellow Journalist by Miriam Michelson.  It's been awhile since I've read chapters that are as long as 53 minutes -- that's the longest one so far.  Each of the 14 chapters details a different 'story' that the reporter is covering.  I'm enjoying the book (luckily, so is my proof-listener) but I am really ready to come out of my studio/closet by the time I finish each recording.  I've also been keeping up with the weekly and fortnightly poetry readings on LibriVox, too.  It's so easy to forget how much great poetry is in the Public Domain.

Also, I'm so bummed that BBCA's The Hour has finished -- at least until series two.  Really loved that show.

Apropos of nothing, I was listening to Florence Welch earlier and I suddenly thought of Kate Bush.  Welch's voice reminds me a bit of Kate Bush.  Flashback time...

LibriVox Update

I finished recording the children's book Zip, the Adventures of a Frisky Fox Terrier by Frances Trego Montgomery for LibriVox.  It can be found in the catalog here.   Very sweet book that would be a good one to read to a young child.  There are a few terms used that would not be considered correct in today's world.  However, they are not used in a malicious way and are a reflection of the time the book was written  -- in 1917.  Here's the introduction I wrote for LibriVox:

Zip, a little fox terrier, lives in the town of Maplewood in the house of his owner, Dr. Elsworth. Each day when Dr. Elsworth drives his carriage to visit his patients, Zip goes along with him so that he can keep the doctor company and, most importantly, visit with the other animals in the town. Zip likes to find out all the latest news so that he can tell it to his best friend, Tabby the cat, who also lives with Dr. Elsworth. However, he also finds himself getting into mischief, whether it’s trying to solve a burglary, sneaking fried chicken from a picnic, getting stuck in a stovepipe or fighting with Peter-Kins the monkey. Zip is one dog who never has a dull day.

__________________________________________

For my next solo, I've just begun recording a book by Miriam Michelson called A Yellow Journalist.  It was originally published in 1905.  Rhoda Massey is a newspaper woman, a rarity during those years, who has to fight her way to get the scoop for her paper.  Almost all of her colleagues and peers are male and don't consider her a 'serious' journalist.  Of course, this just makes her all the more determined to prove them wrong.  Each chapter involves a different story Rhoda is working on and the lengths she must go to get the story and get it first.

I've already recorded one of Miriam Michelson's books for LibriVox called In the Bishop's Carriage.  You can listen to that one here.  I enjoyed the book so much that I decided to take a chance on another of her books.  So far, I've recorded the first two chapters and I'm in the process of editing them now.

LibriVox update

I just finished up the solo recording I've been working on for LibriVox called The Mystery of Mary by Grace Livingston Hill.  I really enjoyed this little mystery.  Actually, it's a mystery and a romance rolled into one so it's more of  'two-fer'.  Here's the introduction I wrote for LibriVox:

Handsome young Tryon Dunham has just returned home on the train from a business trip one evening when he’s accosted by a beautiful young woman at the station. She’s terrified that she’s being followed and asks Dunham if she may walk with him away from the station. Her manner and appearance are those of a well-dressed and well-bred lady. However, she refuses to tell Tryon her real name or why she is running away. He feels a responsibility for her and arranges for her to accompany him to a dinner party where she delights everyone there with her exceptional musical talent at the piano. Tryon then assists her in leaving the city on a later train that same night. Captivated by her beauty and talent, he is determined to solve the mystery of her identity. What frightened her so badly that she would leave wearing only the clothes on her back and no money? Is she an adventuress or thief masquerading as a lady in distress? A beautiful lunatic who has escaped an asylum? An heiress who has been declared missing? Tryon will not stop searching until he knows the answer.
____________________________________





If you find that intriguing, you can listen to the book here.

Today I began working on my next solo for LibriVox.  I decided to read another children's book since I hadn't read one for awhile.  I chose Zip, the Adventures of a Frisky Fox Terrier by Frances Trego Montgomery.  I recorded the first two chapters today but I have to edit them before uploading them for the proof listener.  I think this is going to be a fun read.  After owning two terrier mix dogs, I can attest to some of the 'adventures' they like to get themselves into.  Adults who listen to this with children may find themselves enjoying it, too.  Here's the link for the text of the book along with adorable illustrations.  This book was originally published in 1917 but the story, told from the point of view of Zip, has held up well over time.

  

Into the closet, scum queen!*

* Adapted from the line "Into the mud, scum queen" from the Steve Martin movie The Man With Two Brains.

Well, it finally happened.  I've been driven to record audiobooks in my closet.  I knew it was only a matter of time but I needed to clear the closet and then set up my mic, script (paper or netbook, depending), and various other items such as water, throat lozenges and this wonderful mouth spray called 'Entertainer's Secret.'  It really does help to cut down on the mouth clicks.  Some days it's dry mouth and other days I feel like Mr. Slurpy.   This spray is great for dry mouth/and or throat days.

I've also added to my arsenal of physical barriers to cut down on mouth sounds getting into my recordings.  Besides the black mesh pop filter that I've been using, I came across another more substantial filter made by Blue, the company that made my microphone -- the Blue Yeti.  It attaches to my mic but can be used with just about any brand of microphone.   It's made of two metal mesh screens that actually curve around the front of the mic.  I bought mine from Amazon which is one of the cheapest places to buy one.  The price can range from $30-$70 depending on where you buy it.  This filter really makes a difference, particularly with breathing noise.

My studio -- not pretty but it gets the job done.

I've been recording from my closet/studio for several weeks now and it's such a big difference when it comes to outside noises.  I covered the back wall of the closet with an egg crate mattress that we weren't using.  Just nailed it to the wall.  Then I nailed old blankets to the side walls and the front wall where the door of the closet opens into the room.  When I shut the closet door, I just pull the blanket on that wall across the door and attach it to a nail I already have there holding the blanket from the side.  Still close enough for my mic's USB cord to plug into my desktop but away from the computer noise.  I'm lucky that this is an inner closet.  No outer walls of the house are near it and there's an attic above it.  This cuts out almost all street noise unless an enormous jet flies overhead or there's a thunderstorm going on.  Since the closet is carpeted, I actually sit on the floor, cross-legged, which is very comfortable for me.  I can lean back into the egg-crate and I have my mic still inside it's little protective box I built for it.  I can't see my computer screen once I shut the closet door but I've found that that really doesn't matter.  I don't have a tendency to 'spike' in my speech unless I stop to cough which gets edited out, anyway.

I have the mic box stacked on heavy books so that it's directly in front of my mouth when I speak, although I usually speak 'across' it as I'm reading from a paper script or from my netbook.  The small parsons table is there to hold my water, throat lozenges, throat spray and lip balm.  (Dry lips can present a problem, too.)  The string you see hanging in the doorway allows me to turn the closet light on from the floor. I'm currently finishing up another book on LibriVox and I'm sending out auditions for more Iambik books (now made in my 'studio').  I still have one book I finished for Iambik that hasn't been published yet.  It's in post-production but should be out within a month.  I'll post here, as usual, when it's available.

My next LibriVox solo

 

I've decided to record a short book written by three women in 1892 as my next solo project for LibriVox. It's called  Three Girls in a Flat and will be a nice break between recording chapters for the longer projects I'm working on for Iambik.

In order to rid my recordings of as much 'white' or ambient noise as possible, I've had to move my new Blue Yeti microphone as far from my computer as possible. I also built a little 'sound-proof' box for the Yeti to sit in. I took a cardboard box and lined the inside of the top, sides and back with egg-crate foam. My beautiful microphone is living in a shack. Something like this but, frankly, not as nice-looking.

Bummer, but it does the trick. Apparently, the fan on my Dell makes a lot more noise than what I can hear. The Yeti picks up everything. By moving it across the room and using the sound box, I've gotten rid of most of the background noise now. You do get a nice clean recording of your voice, too. Now I have to print whatever I'm recording because I'm too far away from the monitor to read it. A small price to pay for a more professional sound, though.

Another solo in the catalog!

I finished recording the novella In the Cage by Henry James and it is now in the LibriVox catalog. You can find it here. This was a fun one due to the short chapters and the subject -- snooping and trying to put pieces together about other people's lives.

Now I need to figure out which book I'd like to record for my next solo.

I've found myself checking out the bestseller lists for the early 1900's. I hadn't realized that those lists even existed then but they did and it's interesting to discover what people were reading at the time.
I've found some little jewels that make recording a true pleasure.

Today, it begins...

I've been promising myself to begin keeping a blog for some time now. I may not post everyday but, then again, I may post more than once on some days.

When I edited and wrote for a newsletter at work, I had wanted to write 'whenever' under 'how many times published a year' but that was vetoed by the powers-that-be. Now that I'm commissar of this blog, I can do that. Heh, heh, heh...

Ever since I was introduced to LibriVox (thanks to a co-worker), I've discovered books I never knew existed. Since we can only record books that are in the Public Domain in the U.S. (which is pre-1923 except for items like government documents) there are, of course, plenty of the classics. But it's been fun reading books that were on the best-seller list in the early 1900's (yes, they had best-seller lists then) and finding some great stories.

If you haven't checked us out, please do. We are all volunteers so you will find a variety of levels of experience -- from novice like me to actual professionals who like to volunteer, too. Readers, proof-listeners and listeners are from all over the world and I've met some terrific people. If you're shy about reading (we have an entire thread devoted to 'what if I suck?') you can always volunteer as a proof-listener. If you don't like the way a particular book was read by another volunteer, you can always volunteer to read it yourself. As an example, we have at least 5 versions of Pride and Prejudice in our catalog. One is a group version and the others are solos. We call this offering our readers 'choice of voice.'

I've also become involved in a small company called Iambik Audiobooks founded by the same man, Hugh McGuire, who founded LibriVox. This site is devoted to recording books from smaller independent publishers that may otherwise not offer their books as audio. The finished products are offered for $5 to $6 -- unabridged. A bargain for audiobooks. All audiobooks are sold as online downloads (instructions are on the site) so they can be downloaded to your computer and then played as MP3 or M4b files from your computer or loaded onto your iPod or MP3 player for listening on the go.

Right now we have more narrators than books and, in most cases, the authors themselves choose the narrator from audition recordings that are sent to them via their publisher. It's competitive (we have lots of professionals on board) and exciting to be involved with this company. My current project is proof-listening a children's book loaded with illustrations. The illustrations will be made available as a download with the book when it's completed.

Gotta run now. Henry James is waiting for me... my next LibriVox solo.