NARRATION: How to Make a Long Distance Relationship Last

How to Make a Long Distance Relationship Last

My fifth audiobook narration for Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) has hit the Amazon store. It’s a short one I picked specifically so I could fit it in before going on vacation. I’ll be curious to see how How to Make a Long Distance Relationship Last does, because I can imagine that more people might take a chance on a short, inexpensive book. And if that’s true it would mean that I could be doing a lot less work for a lot more return. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t still do longer books. 90% of the short ones are scam books of the kind where the guy promises the key to life 80 times in 45 minutes but never actually gives it to you (for that you have to order his $200 lecture series), and I don’t need to have anything to do with those. But I have to admit that a one week project does have some advantages over the typical 1-month book, so if I can find some of those to do, I will.

As always, I don’t want to comment on the content of the book itself. I have no control over the content other than the ability to refuse the option to produce it, and the way ACX is set up I have to agree to produce it before I get to see the full manuscript. But as far as the narration and production go, I’m pretty proud of this first effort and the new Audio Technica 2020 mic I had to get to replace my dying Blue Spark. I don’t have it 100% dialed in to where I want it yet, but it’s not too bad at all so far.

NARRATION: Rolling Through Life: Camp HandiCan

Rolling Through Life: Camp HandiCan

I’m now up to four audiobook narrations for Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) with a fifth on the way in a week or so. The book is called Rolling Through Life: Camp HandiCan and it’s probably my proudest project to date. My pride isn’t because I sing in it (though I do—sorry), or because the writing is perfect (though it may be the best of the books I’ve narrated so far), but because the subject matter is touching to me and because it’s told by an author who obviously poured his heart into it.

It’s fiction—I’m told by the author that his actual life is spread across a couple of the characters—but it reads like a memoir. It’s about a guy that ends up being a counselor at a camp for handicapped children by accident. Personally, having spent a summer and a couple winters working at Camp Variety for Spina Bifida, some aspects of the story may have touched me a bit more than some. But I think the triumphs and the love story are pretty universally accessible (ironic remark intended), and you could do worse than to give it a read or listen or both.

As I said, the writing’s not perfect; I think there are some parts that could be fleshed out more. But it’s a solid first writing effort, you’ll enjoy it, and the author could use your encouragement so that he keeps writing and developing.

It’s safe to say that if I can find more books like this to work on (though perhaps with less singing on my part), this will continue to be a very fun second job/hobby/side hustle for me

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NARRATION: Fallen Angels, the Watchers, and the Origins of Evil

Fallen Angels, the Watchers, and the Origins of Evil
Written by: Joseph Lumpkin
Narrated by: Matthew Weller
Length: 3 hrs and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-03-17
Publisher: Fifth Estate

 

I don’t know how many books you have to narrate to be “professional,” but this marks my third completed book, so I think I can say I’m at least committed. As always, the content is all the author’s, I’m just the narrator & producer of the audio version. I will say that as somebody who hasn’t had occasion to learn a lot about the more obscure biblical texts, I found this interesting in several ways. I’m still a bit nervous about trying to narrate fiction as the prospect of doing too many voices makes me anxious, but I’m definitely getting more comfortable with the whole system. I can also say that a couple improvements to my studio have made the sound quality on this one the best yet. I’m still far from having a full-scale recording/producing rig, but I’m hoping if I can get several more of these making earnings simultaneously that I may be able to really up the game. Time to get some more auditions out.

Publisher’s Summary

Evil walked the earth when angels fell. Evil stalks us now in disembodied spirits; immortal wraiths once clothed in flesh when angel and women bred; spirits released from their fleshly prisons when their bodies were destroyed for drinking the blood of men.

Evil also lives inside of the common man; set free when pride kills reason and eats integrity whole. There is evil that entraps us and evil that tugs from within. But neither have control until we choose to relent. Evil is a choice of action, of thoughts entertained too long, of arrogance pushing aside the last vestiges of compassion. Evil resides within the problem of choice.

What is evil? Could it be as simple as pernicious selfishness? Could it be the drive for immediate gratification without regard for others? Man’s life is limited; 100 years or less. But, the souls of angel and watcher are eternal. Consider how much evil can be wrought through the millennia of immediate gratification on an eternal scale.

By contrasting and comparing ancient texts such as Enoch, Jasher, Jubilees, the Bible, and various others containing stories of the creation of angels, demons, and man, a full and panoramic history of evil is produced. In this history the startling revelation of the descent of man and angels and the evolution of evil on earth is clearly revealed.

©2011 Joseph Lumpkin (P)2017 Joseph Lumpkin

 

Dear Amazon.com,

You know what would get me to buy a metric ton of Kindle books? If I could scan the barcode of paper books I already have and you offer me the Kindle version for $2. I would love to have an electronic version of many of my books, but I’m never going to lay out more than yard sale price for another copy of what I already have.

 

Just a thought, since I know you’re hard up for money.

Love,

Mat

Missing my friend Bill Hollweg

 

NARRATION: Holocaust Survivor Accounts and Holocaust Rescuers: Surviving The Holocaust Stories

This makes two audiobook narrations for Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) under my belt. It’s called Holocaust Survivor Accounts and Holocaust Rescuers: Surviving The Holocaust Stories.

As before, it’s not for me to comment on the content of the book itself. As the narrator I have no control over the content other than the ability to refuse the option to produce it. I’m proud of this as a longer project. There were some things I could have/should have done better, some that I thought I would have a chance to fix later and didn’t. But altogether, I think it’s a solid second effort, and of a topic that was more interesting to me personally. The price is high and I wish I had some control over that to help saleshttp://www.audible.com/pd/History/Holocaust-Survivor-Accounts-and-Holocaust-Rescuers-Audiobook/B06XY8MBWV/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1491311242&sr=1-1. I’ll tell interested friends to check it out on sale.

NARRATION: Horror Stories: Bizarre Reports of the World’s Craziest True Ghost Stories and Hauntings

My first official audiobook narration for Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) has hit the Amazon store and I’m excited to see how it goes. The book is called Horror Stories: Bizarre Reports of the World’s Craziest True Ghost Stories and Hauntings.

I don’t want to comment on the content of the book itself. As the narrator I have no control over the content other than the ability to refuse the option to produce it. But as far as the narration and production go, I’m pretty proud of this first effort and I can honestly say I learned some new things while working on it, which is not something you say often when you’ve been dabbling in audio projects of various kinds for over a decade. Or two.

Regardless, the thing about these kinds of projects (and most things in our world) is that ambition trumps quality. It doesn’t matter if you have the best product in the world, if you’re not motivated to promote it, it’ll never sell. In this case, I get the distinct impression that the author is motivated, and that he’s in a niche that is notoriously hungry for input. So, I’m hoping that we can get some sales out if it. The long-term idea is to get enough active audiobooks that even scattered sales from a lot of sources can add up to some kind of income. We’ll see how it goes. I’ve talked with other ACX Narrator/Producers that have enough irons in the fire to make a steady, livable income from the earnings. I’m not sure I’ll ever get to that stage, but having some play money to put into the kids’ college funds and such would be nice. Cross your fingers!

Flash Forward 18

FLASH FORWARD EP 18: REVENGE OF THE RETWEET

It’s risky to let me be on a show about politics, but I got to be a guest voice on Flash Forward again, and it was fully scripted, so you can listen with confidence.

In case you still haven’t given Rose Eveleth a try, her show poses a question about the future, attempts to act out a bit of what that future would be like, and then uses the thoughts of relevant thinkers to debate the proposed situation. Rose does a great job of keeping it interesting and fun, and I recommend giving it a try.

http://www.flashforwardpod.com/2016/07/26/episode-18-revenge-of-the-retweet/

In case you’re curious, I’ve been trying to maintain a Pinterest board of the shows I’m subscribed to or was at some point. Check it out if you’re looking for something else for commute, work, and dog-walk listening.

https://www.pinterest.com/mrmatweller/podcasts/

Flash Forward, again

Flash Forward Season 2, Episode 17: THE ALTERED STATE

I had the privilege of being a guest voice on Flash Forward again.

In case you didn’t immediately run out to catch me on there before, I’ll remind you it’s a show that weekly poses a question about the future, attempts to act out a bit of what that future would be like, and then uses the thoughts of relevant thinkers to debate the proposed situation. Rose Eveleth does a great job of keeping it interesting and fun, and I recommend giving it a try.

http://www.flashforwardpod.com/2016/07/12/episode-17-the-altered-state/

In case you’re curious, I’ve been trying to maintain a Pinterest board of the shows I’m subscribed to or was at some point. Check it out if you’re looking for something else for commute, work, and dog-walk listening.

https://www.pinterest.com/mrmatweller/podcasts/

“A Real Stand-Up Guy” on Cast of Wonders

Cast of Wonders: A Real Stand Up Guy

Most everything I narrate is safe for all ages, but this is the first time I’ve ever gotten to narrate for a podcast targeted at a YA audience. If you’ve got a tween or teen that likes fun stories, Cast of Wonders is worth a look.

It’s a cute story about an anthropomorphic dog comedian with a secret. It may be the cutest (if a bit on-the-[wet]nose) way I’ve ever seen racial issues addressed.

I don’t personally subscribe to Cast of Wonders, so I can’t recommend any specific episodes, but I know most of the people involved in the show pretty well and I’m comfortable saying that it’s  a quality show, worth a look.