Monthly Archives: February 2016

Feb 28 2016

The RollerCoaster of life stuff

 

I always feel that I should post positive stuff, you know because life for TSK and my writing is so exciting at the moment. Honestly… that side of work couldn’t be better. 🙂

But, this last week’s been one of the hardest emotionally. I can’t lie, in fact the whole month of Feb has been a roller coaster of ‘life stuff’ It’s always the way, I seem to be excelling for TSK and then the crapper hits the fan at home and well without TSK and the team I think I’d be curled up in a corner somewhere hiding from the world. I never get the chance, and for that I’ve very thankful for. The guys around me are amazing.

The life stuff –

We lost my Aunt Muriel this last week, the last living relative of my mums side of the family and after last years string of ‘death’ I had hoped that we could start off with a better year. In one way I’m glad she’s not suffering anymore but then it just makes you think about how truly short life really is, even at the age she was.  95….

Then there’s some ‘other’ problem that I can’t talk about, but a few of my closest friends know of. It makes me very sad that the world is such a cruel place and I can only ask that you think of me in kind light over the next few months, this will not be easy. But, I will support those around me, and keep on smiling, because I am a survivor. That is what we do. Smile when inside you feel like giving in.

I feel the downer side of this week is because of the time of year, and today more so because it’s an anniversary of a friends death from many years ago. The fact it’s been Eating Disorder Awareness week, always brings home that terrible pain and time of my life where I was giving up and I think that in itself has made the week harder than it might have been any other time.

The fact I’m here and doing some of the most exciting things in my life is testament that I won’t ever give up fighting. I’m fighting for other things now, things that bring me passion and joy, not just the right to ‘eat’ and barely survive.

I am hoping that March will let us breathe at least a little, our family could use some  good news…

hugs x

 

Feb 28 2016

TSK’s next step AudioBooks :)

Last few days to get in as early bird members to the TSK website! come on I know you want in!

members image

It has been a busy week and I’m posting this side of today first. I did blog about my personal life earlier, but I’m scheduling that post for later.

The title really says it all, and as director of TSK Productions,  I’ve been looking for the right people to bring onboard for us since the beginning of January. They say good things come to those who wait and it’s so true. At first I was a little over excited about the possibilities of hearing TSK read by someone else. Then the task of finding that voice overwhelmed me.

The world of Audio Book is so different I hadn’t expected any of the process.

So for those who don’t know anything this was my journey to now. My friends pointed me at first in the direction of ACX. This is part of Audible and Authors (Rights Holders) can post their projects for potential Narrators to Audition for.

Here’s where I got a little lost. ACX ask you to fill in your profile and ‘sell’ yourself. I’m not very good at that but I tried my best, then they suggest you try and find a voice you like. I tried that and found someone, send them an offer and it lapsed without even a reply. I guess that is the nature of hunting for any partnership.

I didn’t seem to be getting anywhere and one of my friends pointed me to a facebook group. Which I joined and have been so happy with, I’ve learned much more about not only the process of ACX but also more about Narrators and how the system works. How they essentially do their job.

On ACX you can post your work with two options-

1 – A royalty share deal where the author and narrator split the profits.

2 – A PFH rate system which can range from anything like $100 – 400 an hour.

Now we RH’s don’t know how long it take for one person to get to that ‘finished hour, and the confusion seems pretty wide spread from chatter in the facebook group and amongst some of my Author friends.

The fact is it can take 10 hours to make 1 finished Audio Hour and although some narrators do all the work themselves, the fact is getting a producer to do the work frees time and means two ears are on the project not just the narrator and RH. A better win. But, narrators can’t pay for a producer out their own pocket, no matter how much they love a novel. Money doesn’t grow on trees, and so a lot of narrators try and negotiate for a Hybrid deal. Which ACX at the moment doesn’t have as an option for.

I was very lucky to start talking to a wonderful guy, Steven about the whole process, and we talked about what I needed for TSK and of course budget etc. I’m a big believer in paying people but I’ve personally only got so much cash coming in. And it’s taken me time to get that together with my savings. TSK’s been growing in a huge rate this last few months, in design and in everything we as a team do. I’ve backed everyone as I know I should and I will continue to do so.

Sorting out payments in advance for things like editing on book 2 trying to get ahead of the game and not worry about suddenly having to find a huge wad of money when I need the job done. I try and have a business head on, at all times, but yes of course I get excited and spend stuff I shouldn’t. lol

This last two weeks we’ve had Steve find and start negotiating with two very talented narrators. Of which I’m totally excited to say have now joined with us as Team TSK’s voice.

More than excited to welcome Greg Tremblay, who is taking on Book 1 and our short snippets. 🙂

His Audio books can be found at if you want to listen to his amazing voice –

http://www.audible.co.uk/search/ref=a_listener__cco_1_1_1_n?searchNarrator=Greg+Tremblay

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/GTremblayVoice/posts/1224970447520737?fref=nf&pnref=story

and Holly Adams –

Audible link for her sweet voice is – http://www.audible.co.uk/search/ref=a_search_tseft?advsearchKeywords=Holly+Adama&filterby=field-keywords&x=0&y=0

and her facebook fan page

https://www.facebook.com/hollyadamsnarrator/?fref=ts

 

I know this project has a lot coming up.  We could keep these guys nice and busy for a bit, with book 2 set for release (sept, I’m hoping) our short snippets live each month and three of our writers working on other stories and novels set in the TSK world, we’ve lots to do in the next year or so.

Greg and Holly were both honest with me, and that little bit of ‘RH and Narrators’ don’t mix kinda thing I found wasn’t true. Greg told me that he found the language side of things exciting and daunting at the same time. I contacted Trent and they had a chat, which really helped, and I’ve since heard Greg’s proof for the story,  and so has Trent. Greg’s fantastic and Lacria sounds just fabulous.

I can’t wait for you guys to hear these two amazing voices, TSK will be brought to life on a whole different level. Which has left me totally awestruck this week.

Nothing else to do but, squeeeee.

🙂 talk later.

Feb 22 2016

Discovering Audible!

Okay, okay, so I’ve had my Audible account since like last year, and whispersync and ‘read aloud’ on my kindle since I broke my arm in 2013, but I have only recently discovered that I can actually LISTEN while I’m driving.

At work, I get these spates where, to and from the bigger sites, I have 20-30 mins to listen straight.

I gotta admit, the first full book I listened to was – Constitution written by Nick Webb and Narrated, by Greg Tremblay.

My review of this is here – http://www.audible.co.uk/listener/kanundra/A17DGMWIBKQAZC/ref=a_pd_Sci-Fi_c9_1_2_rwTtl?asin=B013S27Y2I

But, the fact remains, I’d never done it before, and now I’m hooked. I got through a couple more books this week, and I’m onto the next. This is going to get pretty darned expensive. lol

What I’ve found more relaxing and exciting than anything is I’m also discovering new stories and ‘sub’ genres that I might not have even looked at. I don’t get anywhere as much time as I used to for reading. And my reading lists now consist more of helping out ‘other writers’ in The Ubergroup on scribophile or my other writing friends with projects they’re working on.

Of course, TSK takes a lot of my time, and so does promoting, organising things and other people. Time is so darned precious at the moment. I have to use it the best way I can, for everyone I’m involved with.

So, I’ve also just finished, Silicone Dawn, written by William Massa and narrated by Joe Hempel. Another book, I just couldn’t put down. the review of that one is here.  http://www.audible.co.uk/listener/kanundra/A17DGMWIBKQAZC/ref=a_pd_Sci-Fi_c9_1_2_rwTtl?asin=B013S27Y2I

I’m telling you, if you travel or do anything where you can listen to a book. Audible, and these guys rock.

Love it!

 

Feb 14 2016

Result! squee!

So yes, Bolton Comic Con was awesome, and seeing Andrew Dodd once again, was awesome… loved it.

In all a fab day out, but a long one, boy was I wiped out after all the walking about. In a good way. Enjoyed it that much, seeing all the characters, talking to the stall holders, bought some books, and some comics… and I booked to go to the Birmingham one. (though much bigger and more walking for sure) lol excited. and very excited for us to do one…. : )

I have so many ideas now, and so much to get together, but it was really good. I think TSK will do fab in that area, we’ve so much to give, great stories, characters, and art… squeeee……………

The sun is out today…. Bobby’s being hormonal…. spring is here I hope….

Back to work it is for us…. just wanted to squeee really.

Dawn

Feb 12 2016

Squee! Bolton Comic Con tomorrow!

Yes, researching, honest. I’ve never had the pleasure of going to one before. And wishing to take TSK along to one, I decided that it was necessary to do this. 🙂 So, dragging my mum along for a day out, haha. one she’s prob never gonna forget, don’t think this is something she’s ever done either. Motorcycles, Car’s and Airplanes. But yeah not comic books and people dressed up 🙂

Hoping to meet our animator there, fingers crossed. And also a friend from work is going, so there should be plenty to see and do.

Quite excited, and I will take pics and lots of notes. We’re so much planned if we do get to an event, don’t think it will be this year, but defo for next year. 🙂

Dawn