The Grey Man…

A question for my readers…

TGM Book front

I’m investigating the possibility of doing an audiobook version.  Would y’all be interested in something like that?

No, I’m not going to read it, I’d put everybody to sleep. I’m looking at using a professional. 🙂

Sales are a couple a day, so I’m wondering if it’s even fiscally viable to go down this road.

Your thoughts/recommendations please!

Comments

The Grey Man… — 32 Comments

  1. It’s a great read and I’m sure that it will make a great audio book. Not sure what the potential audience might be, but why overlook any opportunity to spread the word.

  2. The book is a good read, but I’m not sure if an audio version of this fits the characters dialogue. In my mind, I can hear the accent and the actions. Not sure how that would play out.

    Then again, I’ve never been an audio book fan. Just my opinion.

  3. I really don’t think your style of writing will work with an audiobook.

    Then again, I may be wrong.

    I DO think a video of your book being read by busty redheads in bikinis might be a hit, however.

  4. I’m not much on audio books, I’m more of a dead tree kind of guy myself.

  5. An audiobook could be great.

    Have it read by Eli Wallach. For some odd reason when I read your stuff, his voice comes out.

    • +1 to that. When I first heard you on Vicious Circle, I said “that guy has an awesome radio voice”.

      Also given that so much of the book is based on 1st and 2nd hand stories, I can’t imagine it would be too much work for you to convey the emotions of the scenes.

      Maybe getting the different voices right might be a stretch, but that’s my 2c.

      Of course I rarely listen to audio books except on long car rides.

  6. Cost versus income. I don’t use audio books now that I’m not on the road anymore.

    My wife will buy 3 if you get Sam Elliot to do the voice over.

  7. Do it. Why not?

    I’m trying to think about who might be a good voice. Donald Sutherland? James Earl Jones?

  8. ..another thought, I could do a reading… . I’m sure you’d love the lectures I once recorded on probate process and trusts… . Not!

  9. I don’t know how suitable I would be, but I’ve been told on several occasions that I should do voice work. If you want a cheap reader, we could talk.

  10. Eli Wallach would have been great if he hadn’t died in June. Maybe James Earl Jones? If not, I hear that Bobcat Goldthwait might be available cheap, and I buy a copy just to hear him read it.

    • Darn darn darn darnedy darn.

      I had forgotten Eli Wallach died. (Been one of those years.)

      Sam Elliot would be awesome though instead.

  11. I say follow your heart. Many people love and use audio books.

  12. Thanks folks! I heard back from a pro that I’d contacted, he recommended starting with Payback, as it’s a complete story. And they aren’t cheap. At roughly 100000 words, it would be about a 10 hour book.

    I’ll ponder on this for a while, and see where this leads. Again, thanks for the feedback!

  13. Elderly Naval Flight Officer;
    I thought about your question for a while. I’ve read both books & enjoyed them, but an audio book? Well I was thinking it would not be a financial success.
    Then I came to the conclusion that an audio book would be a wonderful thing for our wounded / disabled / incapacitated / etc Veterans. Perhaps it could be a good tax write-off or perhaps overall it could break even.

  14. I love my audio book for those long drives. If your pro can get the good old Texas and Mexican accents right, I’d get one.

  15. Sorry, I’m not an audiobook guy (mostly because I can’t find the grammatical errors that way). 🙂

    Best of luck in whatever you decide.

  16. It would not work with the wrong reader… having said that a story can be done many ways, some people would love the story, characters and adventure but just won’t find time to read it. I listened to the Hobbit while awaiting the Gulf War to start, and my commander hadn’t ever read the book so he did get to enjoy the story, wasn’t much else to do before breakfast in a desert.

  17. Hey Old NFO;

    Not sure what to make of audiobooks, they bore me to tears, but the spousal unit likes them….I don’t know what the cost per unit would be and if it would be even viable:( OTOH, Roger might be on to something with his idea…..does your publisher have an idea? I hate not being able to give you good advice.

  18. Roger- Good point!

    Earl- Another point…

    Dammit- Thanks!

    Bob- I’m my own publisher, LOL I’m looking at various ideas, so not throwing any options out, but I DO want input from my readers. Roger’s point IS a good one!

  19. I’m my wife’s audiobook. She falls asleep when she reads, so I read to her. Unbroken has a long book to read out loud. Maybe I’ll do the gray man for her next.

  20. I’m my wife’s audiobook. She doesn’t read and stay awake so well, so I read to her. Unbroken is a long book to read out loud. Maybe I’ll read The Gray Man to her next.

  21. A couple friends who work-travel and drive distances in their vehicle a LOT use audio books because the sparkle and shine of Sat-Radio and other stuff is totally off the bloom.
    Me, I hardly even listen to the radio!