I was pretty curious about how the whole audiobook thing comes about, and Kate has been kind enough to answer some questions about her work on Debris and audiobooks in general (and not back away slowly from the crazy, over-invested author)…

Jo: How did you get into the audiobook business? Is it something you always wanted to do, something you fell into?

Kate: I’m pretty new to this industry, and I did sort of fall into it. About two years ago I sent my demo to Brilliance Audio, hoping it would lead to a job or two, and eventually I got invited for an audition. As an actress, I really loved the film work I was doing locally; as a parent I needed another other source of income. Once I stepped into the studio, I was surprised to find that working as a narrator felt very much the same as acting. It’s all storytelling, and telling stories in one form or another is what I’ve always wanted to do with my life. I’m really grateful to have stumbled into this medium.

Jo: Do you have a particular genre you prefer to read?

Kate: I enjoy it all. With that being said, I do have quite a soft spot for YA fiction. I have had a handful of great sci-fi and fantasy stories as well, and they’ve kind of been pulling me along toward fandom. Then ‘Debris’ showed up and I was officially hooked.

Jo: Do you get to choose the books you read? If so, how do you do that?

Kate: I say ‘yes’ to just about everything I’m offered. If it’s a story I’d naturally be drawn to as a reader, it’s a joy to perform the audiobook. If it’s a story I would never think to pick up and connect with personally, I see performing it as a wonderful challenge. I try to find a way to honor the text and the characters, because every book is for *someone*, and because somebody put their heart into weaving each manuscript I’m handed.  It’s weird and lovely to know that I’m given a chance to help those books reach their audience.

Jo: Do you do anything to prepare before a recording? Do you read the book first, do any research, exercise your voice?

Kate: Every narrator sort of has their own tricks, and I’m so new to this whole world that I think I’ve got loads to learn about preparation. Here’s what works for me so far: I receive the script and read it through once, just as I would if I grabbed it from the library. I then read it a second time, looking for unfamiliar words and items that require research. This read-thru is quite rapid. Then, another trip through the story, slowly, to let myself really imagine the characters and find anything I may have missed. Some books require more or less than this routine, but it’s my starting point. Vocally I just try to protect my voice, sing often, and cut out dairy on recording days. I’m always listening for accents, among friends or on the radio etc, because I’d love to develop a really large range over the years. I have a dear friend from Sydney, actually, and I kind of obsess over her voice.

Jo: How long is a recording session?

Kate: Anywhere from 6-8 hours, with a couple of breaks along the way.

Jo: I really love your interpretation of Tanyana in Debris, and I hope you enjoyed spending some time in her head. Was there anything particularly fun or challenging about playing her?

Kate: I love Tanyana. I wanted to convey her strength, creativity, bravery and vulnerabilities. She is self-reliant, resourceful, funny and imperfect. I always enjoy voicing a fierce and intelligent woman, and Tanyana was certainly both. It was an honor to perform ‘Debris’ and I can’t wait to see what happens next in Tanyana’s world.

Jo: And what are you working on now? Anything exciting coming up?

Kate: I have been working for the past few months on a web series called Perks. It’s a fun change of pace, wonderful to be back on-set and working with other actors. We’re just about to wrap up the season, and all the episodes are available for viewing at www.PerksShow.com. I’m loving my work with audiobooks and still can’t quite believe I’ve fooled someone into paying me to have so much fun!

Kate can be found online at www.KateRudd.com

Want to hear Kate’s wonderful work for yourself? I’m giving away a copy of the audiobook (which I can sign, you know, if you want me to…) Just leave a comment here, or over on the Facebook-a-magig to go in the running.

First, an absolutely lovely review of Debris from Amanda Wrangles, over on Marianne de Pierres’ blog.

The physical aspect of Tanyana’s fall is the tip of the iceberg; Anderton’s observations of society and class system – and then the layers within that system – are written in a way that stays with you long after the story is finished. This is a story that sits somewhere in between fantasy and science fiction with a good dose of steampunk thrown in, but the themes covered and revelations about humanity are decidedly real.

Excuse me while I do the happy dance over here.

Second… SUITED has cover art, and it ROCKS!

Let’s just say that after everything she went through in Debris (and what she will go through in Suited) Tanyana is pissed. She’s got a quasi-magic power suit with a f-off scary sword, and she’s not afraid to use it!

Check it out!

Oooh, LOTS of CDs. It even says ‘Unabridged’. I like that.

How cool is that? It’s performed by Kate Rudd (who has just got to be awesome *checks* yep, she is!) and I’m just about to give it a listen. This is a completely new experience on so many levels. What will Tanyana sound like? *eep*

Why yes, I AM totally geeking out about this. Why do you ask?

Grandeur is the story of how Tanyana got the job that would eventually lead to her downfall. Poor woman, she worked really hard to get that commission (even broke a few rules and risked a few lives, surprise surprise…).

You can download the pdf here. Enjoy!

(cool cover art supplied by Gaston Locanto)

Check out the front of the bookshop (and OMG lookie the books Debris gets to sit next to!)

The chocolate robot army! (complete with injuries…)

Debris, looking all nice there on a table…

Bender brownies!

Cutting the most amazing cake!

All cut up

Me, doing that reading thing…

Oh, and then some folks, they asked me to sign their books! How about that?

I’m sure you can tell a most lovely and chocolatey night was had by all.

I’ve uploaded even more (MORE? you say!) photos over at facebook over here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jo-Anderton/148894251860486

Check out the interview, and a snippet from the story, here.

(Do come and celebrate with us if you can. It shall be ever so much fun)

Before I can stop myself, I say, “You realise I’m not a real reporter and I don’t have a camera, right?” and regret it instantly.

Tanyana stiffens, and frowns. She’s gone and got all dressed up in the tailored, navy blue jacket she used to wear as a circle centre. Her short blonde hair is slickly styled, the small bear’s-head badges on her shoulders are polished to a shine, and she’s even wearing lipstick. I narrow my eyes at it. My lipstick.

“Of course.” She brushes imaginary dust from her sleeve, where it bunches around the suit band on her wrist. “I just thought one of us should make an effort around here.”

I glance down at my pyjamas. I suppose that’s fair enough. “Right.” I gesture at the chair I’ve borrowed from hubby’s study. “Please sit. Let’s get started.”

Tanyana rolls her eyes, but complies. “Well, Mrs ‘not a real reporter’, I’m here. So interview me.”

“Welcome, Tanyana Vladha and thanks for agreeing to be interviewed today.”

She lifts an eyebrow at me. “You’re welcome.”

“Now, you’re the main character from my novel, Debris. At the beginning you’re an architect and a powerful pion-binder. But an accident strips you of your powers, and you’re forced to become a debris collector, cleaning magical garbage from–”

“Is this an interview, or a blurb? Because — and I could be wrong here, being from another world and all — I thought interviews involved asking questions.”

Maybe this wasn’t the best idea after all. “Actually, this is a blog post. So I’m trying to set the scene for anyone who hasn’t read the book–” she looks like she’s about to argue “–so why don’t you set the scene, then? What do you think the book is about?”

She turns slightly and sits up straight, as though she’s addressing the camera that isn’t there. “Debris is my story. In it, I lose everything I’ve worked so hard for — my pion-binding skills, my status, my income, even my home, and become   lowly, dirty, underpaid debris collector. But I’m not about to take this lying down! And even as I fight to find out what really happened to me, even as I struggle to come to terms with my new life and new body — or what’s left of it — I find so much more. Riches aren’t all kopacks and fancy apartments, you know. Riches can be found in friendships and, perhaps most importantly, in having a purpose.”

That makes me smile. I suppose Tanyana really did learn something along the way. “So, what’s your favourite scene in Debris?”

“Any of the scenes when I’m sleeping, or eating. Or the rare times I’m not actually fighting for my life. Yeah, I like those.”

Can’t blame her for that. “Are you looking forward to book two, Suited?”

She gives me a horrified expression. Something about it makes the scars down the left side of her face, the ones she got when she fell from Grandeur at the beginning of the book, stand out even more. “Looking forward to it? Are you joking? You know what I have to go through in that bloody book, you wrote it! I’d have to be an idiot to be looking forward to that again!”

“Well yes, but remember all those riches you got from the first book. You had to earn them, didn’t you? Lose everything to gain even more. What’s so different about the second book?”

She’s shaking her head. “We’re talking about the same book, right? Look, I know your opinions on book twos. You believe in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ model where it all goes to hell!”

I cough slightly. “Well, yes. Anyway, moving on. Let’s talk about Debris again. Is it strange to think that people you’ve never met, people on the other side of the world, are reading your story?”

“It’s a bit odd, yes.” She shrugs. “But let’s be honest. I’m just a figment of your imagination. You’re the one who’s been freaking out about that for the last month.”

“Right. Finally, give the people out there an idea of what life is like for a main character in one of Jo’s novels.”

She turns to that imaginary camera again. “Okay people, listen up. In case you hadn’t worked this out already, life as a main character in one of Jo’s novels is hell. Sometimes literally, too. If you’re ever in a position to become such a character — and I’m talking to the imaginary people in her head right now too! — run away. Don’t think. Just RUN!”

“Oh hey, come on now! What about riches and–”

She’s out of her chair, she grabs the imaginary camera brings her imaginary faced right up to its imaginary lens and shouts, “Don’t listen to her! Run! RUN!”

I sigh. “I think this interview is over. Thank you for your time.”

“RUN!”

So, I’ve been doing a few interviews lately – she says, like she’s so used to doing interviews and doesn’t jump up and down in excitement every time, take hours staring at the questions and still can’t believe this is real!

Ahem.

Anyway, so I’ve been doing a few interviews lately. I’ve enjoyed the questions people ask and the way they make me think differently about Debris. Like who is my favourite character (I still think this is a dangerous question to answer! What if I piss off my other characters and they don’t want to cooperate anymore?) which genre do I like the best (same deal?) and what research went into the book? I’ve also loved the way this has given me the opportunity to meet and talk to people who love speculative fiction. Just like me!

There are a few chances to win a copy of the book too. Like over at Rowena Cory Daniells’ website and at The Qwillery. The lovely people at the Qwillery even let me ramble on about genre for a while too. Because seriously, how can you write a book described as ‘manga-inspired steampunk-ish science fantasy’ and not have a lot to say about the concept of genre?

Some of these questions come from as far away (to me, anyway) as Canada, such as the Sci-Fi Fan Letter. It’s still surreal to think of Debris on bookshelves on the other side of the world! Way to go Tanyana, hope you’re having fun (mutter mutter I’ve never been to Canada mutter mutter).

While I’m here I should also shout out to a couple of reviews that made me one very happy author, over at SF Book Reviews and Popcorn Reads. Anyone who says “Lad is just brilliant” totally makes my day. Dear Lad, I love him too.

Dear Jo,

It’s leaf-peeping season here in Vermont! The fall colors really are lovely. And I haven’t had to worry about paying the rent, dealing with an unpredictable suit and surly co-workers, or responding to garbage-collecting emergencies. I haven’t even seen a single puppet man around!

Instead, I played in the leaves…

… enjoyed the autumn flowers…

… ate fresh-picked apples…

… and hung out with your writing buddy.

We miss you! Wish you could be here with us.

Love,

Tan

Hmm, travel seems to agree with Tanyana. That’s the nicest she’s been for AGES!