This is not a happy post. I’m not even sorry about that. Not everything can be positive, and this is a problem. This is how I’m addressing the problem:
I will be having my audiobook proofer going through (paid, of course), to identify the time stamps for all instances of foals and correcting them, since clearly, it’s a problem. I’ve received plenty of messages in my FAMILY account all day about this, and to say I’m upset that I cannot have any basic privacy today is an understatement.
As an author, I value when a narrator does a performance of my book. Things may not be pronounced in the way I expect, but it’s a performance. I appreciate that the narrator did take a legitimate accent (and to those of you crying this doesn’t happen, I assure you it does, I have literally lived in places where it’s been done, which is why I didn’t think more than a ‘huh, well, I had no idea that would bother people this much’ reaction to it.) And BOTH proofers also didn’t notice.
For those who have come into my personal space today, I get you mean well, but enough is enough. My family / personal accounts are not outlets for criticism, notifications of things you didn’t like, etc. That’s why I have a monitored contact form and a type/correction form… so I can have my personal space.
I’ve been pretty welcoming about people coming in to say nice things, and I don’t really want to change that, but enough really is enough.
While foal is being changed to the more accepted accenting (or lack thereof), I hope people decide to stop trashing the ratings, but you know what? That’s what the ratings box is there for.
It does mean agents of the royal states is done in audiobook format and no other books in the spinoff series will be produced. (Ratings matter, and with how low vampire currently is, the future titles won’t sell, and I’m not flushing money away.)
I will re-evaluate if I produce future audiobooks after everything confirmed to be booked and is contracted to be produced is finished. But right now, I spend thousands to produce a single audiobook, with an expectation of it taking six to twelve months to earn back its expenses. I take huge losses, in general, on audiobooks.
Considering how many have come into my personal space today about this, I’m really upset over the whole thing.
I will be paying the narrator and producer for the corrections, and I will pay my proofer to reproof the audiobook, because the number of changes essentially means a great deal is being re-recorded.
There is only so far I will go when taking losses… and this crossed lines. I have a contact form and a typo/error form. These things are checked.
You also have ratings and reviews, which you have used. (But now I have to sleep on it and decide if I’m removing Vampire of Montana from sale completely. I’m forced to stay in ACX for a set period of time, but considering how poorly this audiobook is going, and that it will be a while for that many corrections to be done… I’m expecting to take some massive losses.)
And considering some of the nasty things being said in some of the reviews I’ve had the misfortune of looking at, well… I am not encouraged about spending more money in the future on audiobooks.
I tried, I failed… and that’s that.
Good night.
I’m so sorry that happened. I love ALL your audiobooks, some people just be shit head whiny brats.
I’m so sorry to hear how you’ve been treated. But I’m excited this is in Audio version and I missed the release datw so have just purchased it. I loved Keira’s narration/performance in some of your other books so am doubly looking forward to my listen. Praying blessings and peace of mind for you. Xx
Wow, people were nasty all over the pronunciation of one word? That’s insane and I sympathize with you totally! I do not do audio books myself and haven’t seen any of those reviews, but I just cannot imagine going crazy for one word. Myself, I prefer to read my books the old fashioned way, by ebook! I do know that lots of people multi-task while listening, but I just can’t. I hope you can re-cover your mojo and continue your normal writing rhythm after going thru this.
Mean people suck. Pick on actual problems, they should.
Or at least not come into my personal space about it.
I am sorry that people bothered you in your personal space. I bought Vampire of Montana to see if it is as bad as you had people tell you. I hate to admit that she had a very time when she recorded the book for you. Her interpretation of Will seemed off the mark and very stilted. I won’t return it and I will await for the updated version to listen to the whole thing. I didn’t listen to very much of it. I did hear her say fowling instead of foaling, andalusian sounded fine, however I think she was off the mark on Mallorquin.
This was not an invitation for additional criticism; I assure you I have had plenty for today. I have had a surplus of it. I could stock an entire state at this point.
Some people love Keira, some don’t. She always works hard and does her best, and I would very much rather people be kind to her.
Why all the hassle? The book is great and I really enjoyed it. Here in the UK there are so many regional dialects and strange accents that you have to ‘listen’ and, sometimes, have someone translate. You just do it and laugh🤭 I apply that to audio books as well .
All these moaning Minnie’s should get their heads out of their arse and just learn to listen and enjoy.
Personally, I thank you for thinking of us genuine listeners and spending your money to satisfy our craving. Bless you and a pox on ungrateful arseholes😠
I do not blame you at all, as someone who does a lot of ARC reading. I see this a lot.
People are just plain mean. If I do not like something, I do not share. I close the book and Move on with my life. No one is being forced to buy it. People need to stop this childish behavior. It is every where these days. Make you stand and do not allow others to make you unhappy. I Like to read on my kindle. This will not affect me. I Love your books and that is why I buy them. Have a better tomorrow!!!!
I see your rage, and damn do I understand it.
What in the ever-loving fudge happened to just moving on?
What I’m most enraged about, is that they used so much time and energy that they sought out your private account.
The entitlement and audacity screams to high heaven.
I wish you could block them from accessing future publications.
This garbage level response is disgusting. I’m sorry to hear you had it happen. And into your personal sites, they have to go to prove they’ve never met anyone from outside their community?
Pfui!
I am really sorry to hear about this due to the fact I spend a lot of time listing for he audio books while chilling out….I am very sad as this means I will have to listen to other stories and there are non like your books
I’m so so sorry for you, the future of your audiobooks, and all that affects.
So what if there are occasional inconsistencies, s**t happens!
The only complaint should be if your digital item isn’t FUNCTIONING, contents aren’t up for public scrutiny.
I don’t listen to books as it tends to go to just “noise” (not auditorily inclined) but to whine over accents? Sheesh!
I can’t think of words harsh enough to put down jerks that used your personal address to bad-mouth a book.
I, myself, don’t do audiobooks at all so I don’t have any standing.
I enjoyed Vampire as a text ebook and I woud look forward to (and buy) more books in that series.
What the actual heck is WRONG with people???
I am so sorry for your lack of personal space. I only listen to audio books and have loved all I have listened to so far. But totally understand financial issues. Sending you my love and appreciation for all you do.
on a good note, I hadn’t seen that you had a new book out in the royal states series, I just bought it… I’ll have to see if you released the audio to audible (I know you have been having issues, but I will be getting it if you do. currently listening to bonds again atm. can’t wait for cold flame to be an audiobook (if it is, but not available on audible? oh well)
What isn’t on audible now is processing to be released on audible, although I have submitted a request to have vampire removed until corrections can be made.
I don’t understand people these days. I’ve lived all over the world and settled back to Texas. We have an accent! And we love it – as the song says F you, we’re from Texas.
Leave regional accents alone, not everyone is meant to sound like they are from the mid-west no matter what the news anchors try to teach us with their manufactured accents.
The haters will probably hit Doggone Mess next.
I was confused about the pronunciation until I read your message. I’m sorry people are jerks.
My reviews will be positive.
At this stage… they can go ahead. It just means the rest, after what I have booked, won’t be produced, and then I won’t have to worry about it.
Right now, I wish I did not have a distinct writing voice, because I would just quietly work in a completely different genre/field and come back to this bullshit in a few years, once the rage wears off.
But I am going to be slowing way down, because I am tired of being abused by people who claim they love my works.
And I am going to work at leaving social media except for people I want to talk to… because what happened yesterday, over an accent on a word, is completely unacceptable.
Being called a liar was the last straw, because I work hard at being honest and open with the good and the bad at this career. But enough is enough.
I now regret putting Light up for preorder,’as I am seriously considering just canceling all my preorders to move to a “release when everything is fully done” system. That way, I can walk away when I need.
Right now? I am beyond livid over this.
It sucks for us that love your books (I don’t do audio but to each their own) but screw them and do what’s best for your mental health! And going to personal is waaaaay over the line! If they didn’t like just review and be done! Sheesh! It’s not like they have an investment of money in the outcome or whatever!!! Too bad they don’t come with a mute button for those peckerheads!
People got upset because someone spoke a word with an accent? are you kidding me???? what is wrong with people!!! “people speak differently all around the world? noooo, they must all speak the same as me!*sarcasm* The fact the got all pissy then sought out your personal account to rant about THAT? that makes me so mad!
I absolutely loved the audiobook! Thank you a thousand times for putting the effort and money into writing the book and I loved the audiobook! It made driving to work bearable rather than the … oh damn, work time.
To quote my eldest “What the Freak!!!!”
Some people. So sorry.
I love listening to your books while I’m driving or crocheting (or anything where my hands are occupied and I need my mind occupied). Listening to the person doing the reading’s interpretation of how your stories should be read, is enjoyable. I think my favorite has been “Playing with Fire” with the original reader, reading with a NY accent. The whole point is that you are the author and you are the one who chooses who and how it’s read.
I really enjoyed the audiobook. I recognized the regional accent in the particular word under discussion. I did find it disconcerting only because it was out of context for me as the rest of each sentence wasn’t in the same accent. So what? I always assume that the author & narrator have a specific reason for word choice/pronunciation and it is up to me to figure it out. Part of the joy and learning.
Please leave it up in Chirp!
-H
I am not until corrections are made, because I’m really fucking tired of people abusing me over how a narrator decided to do a performance.
So silly because it’s not like I don’t read with accents in my head when I’m reading a book anyways! It’s what gives the characters depth and flavor to have an accent. Stupid naysayers! Just do what’s best for your mental health and screw the rest of them poo poo heads!
People need to get over themselves. I don’t understand the entitlement attitudes of those who think they ought to have everything their way.
I have the audio book and am truly enjoying it.
I am so very sorry the a*holes went to your personal space to complain.
I don’t see a problem. It doesn’t take away from the book for me. This is one of my favorite books and I am so happy to have it on audio.
People can be so rude! I’ve got to say I’m sorry you got so much flack. I’ve listened to books that were written and or narrated by someone not from the states, many times with differences in speech patterns. I don’t expect to hear everything like I was talking to my friends and neighbors. The same for differing regions.
I buy both the e book and the audible when it comes out, though I have been using Kobo in the last year. I enjoy listening while doing housework, hobbies, and travel. I will really miss this availability, all because some people have to room things. I do understand, especially if you are losing money. Why put up with the crap? Just wanted to say I’m sorry you have to put up with thisand I’ll continue to get your books and I did not mind the Texas drawl personally.
Yeah, it’s one thing to lose money in an act of charity for accessibility, but if the losses are also being accompanied with abuse? Fucking forget it. I loathe cutting off the accessibility options, but I’m 100% done with the abuse element. Boundaries are drawn, and well, this is merely a consequence. And unfortunately, the listeners doing this sort of behavior are just going to flounce over to some other author and try to ruin their day, which doesn’t make me happy in the slightest.
I love all your books under all the different names and I do buy all of them on audible…I love Keira..wonderful voice..lots of words I have trouble pronouncing and she does fantastic
I love accents. ..gives a different flavor and makes the story more authentic….thanks for all of them.
I wonder if you have an enemy who just ducks with you because they know they can yank your chain and spin you up. Perhaps you have created an enemy in this life or a past one. Methinks someone truly dost either dislike you OR are threatened by you you and your abilities to entertain us. Fucking Fuckwads.
I don’t do audio books; makes me lose concentration on what I am doing. Learned that while using power tools. That said, I love your books, and I hope and pray that you have a long, healthy, and productive life and writing career. You have given me (and many others) so many hours of enjoyment. Thank You for all you do.
I am so sorry to hear of all the flack you’ve been put through. I am a dedicated audio book listener and I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books in your series. It is an automatic reflex to buy the audible versions of your books as well as ebook and it is disheartening to learn that because of some small minded people who like trashing other people’s work that I will miss out on the truly enjoyable experiences of listening to more stories from your unique worlds. What ever you decide to do please know that your work is valued and enjoyed.
Good for you! Everyone deserves personal space and if you are not friends or family you should not be in that personal space. You should especially not be using it for petty complaints. The fact that regionalisms has this big of a stink is unbelievable. I have heard words pronounced many different ways depending on the part of the country the speaker is from. Bostonions pronounce car as caw. Some people pronounce theatre as thee-ter instead of thee-a-ter. The pettiness of people is just amazing. (And not in a good way!)
I have every audiobook you have put out (I hope!) As a sight-impaired reader, it’s difficult for me to get through a print version, though I have made the effort through every Royal States book. I have hundreds of audiobooks, and yes – some narrators are better with some series than with others. Sometimes I look at the narrator before purchasing the audibook.
Frankly, for a Royal States or Magical Romantic Comedy, I could care less if the narrator is Daffy Duck. I know the story will be worth a few possible verbal fumbles.
Thank you for continuing to produce audiobooks. They mean a great deal to those of us who struggle to continue to enjoy our favorite authors when our vision is compromised.
In a few weeks, you’ll be able to reference the master list to see if you have all the books in the edition you want; it’s just a LOT of work to get the list done, and I’m nowhere near finished yet.