Award-Winning YA Fantasy Adventure "Waterwight" is Now Available in Audiobook Format
Leadville, Colorado (PRWEB) June 08, 2017 -- With all of the publishing options available to today’s authors, award-winning novelist Laurel McHargue was not convinced she needed to convert her YA novel "Waterwight: Book I of the Waterwight Series" into audiobook format. When she heard Sandra Murphy’s voice after her introduction this year at a CIPA conference, however, McHargue knew it was time to make the leap to the audiobook world.
“I made a beeline for her at the first break in the conference and told her I could listen to her voice all day,” said McHargue.
Murphy auditioned for McHargue by preparing several audio files to demonstrate how she would represent different characters in the dystopian novel. The two then shared ideas by phone, and after Murphy made some minor vocal adjustments, McHargue hired her for the job.
“People have told me I should narrate my own novels,” said McHargue, “but I’d rather spend my time writing my next books. Besides, Sandra is a pro at this. She has the studio, all the right equipment for editing, and the perfect voice. Why mess with perfection?”
Murphy entered the world of audiobook narration naturally. “My first stage experience was in my family room at the age of two, clowning around with a bucket on my head. It ended in stitches! I found the theatre stage to be less dangerous and there explored my dramatic side. Now I use my theatrical instincts to bring audiobooks to life. I love narrating audiobooks since I have the opportunity to ‘be’ multiple characters within one project. Taking the listener on a journey through a novel is a pure joy.”
When asked who her favorite Waterwight character was to portray, she said, “Doesn't everyone love a good villain? I thoroughly enjoyed voicing the multi-faceted villain, the Overleader. Part of the book is written from her perspective so the reader/listener comes to understand the 'why' behind some of her actions.”
She also enjoyed the challenge of speaking the younger children’s lines. “Bridger and Chimney really come alive in the audio version of Waterwight as their voices reflect what it's like to be a boy trying to find his place in a community of older kids.”
Murphy is excited about narrating future books in the Waterwight series, and McHargue is enthusiastic about hearing how the “Voice Mama” will bring her characters to life. “I must say, hearing your own work read aloud by someone else is truly exciting.”
Although McHargue confessed she’ll still choose to read print on a page when given a choice because she loves to see how other authors construct their stories, she believes “there’s no better way to experience a book than in audio format when traveling or doing mundane chores.”
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McHargue blogs about life, real and imagined, at leadvillelaurel.com. Her publications are available on Amazon. Contact her at laurel.mchargue(at)gmail(dot)com for review copies and for arranging speaking engagements.
Contact Sandra Murphy at sandra(at)voicemama(dot)com for all your audiobook narration needs.
Laurel McHargue, Strack Press LLC, http://leadvillelaurel.com/, +1 (719) 293-0108, [email protected]
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