It’s Sally from McLeod’s daughters.
I know I should be acting professional and super cool as if having your novel turned into an audiobook is as natural as breathing. But it’s not. It’s just not. It’s an amazing feeling to hear your work read back with such passion and emotion. Hearing a narrator of Kathryn’s calibre, and the amazing job she does bringing each character to life makes me the happiest writer on the planet.
As I listen to Ava and John’s story, I’m not sure which is stronger: my joy, my immense pride, or the childish buzz making me giggle and hit replay at all my favourite bits. (And there are a lot of them!)
I thought writing multiple points of view in a story over 140,000 words was a tough gig. I never thought about the narrator’s task.
As a character, Ava is complex and even though her story spans thirty years, Kathryn portrays her brilliantly and with heart. Nina is sassy and smart and makes me laugh, while John…? Oh John, John, I love him so. But bring in Blair…! What a gem! I laughed and laughed and loved every scene with Nina.
With all those characters, plus Ava’s Italian dad, Marco, was not difficult enough for the narrator, I had to throw in a wise, old Italian woman. Dear Sonya comes across so perfectly; I may have to write more books featuring Italian mamas.
Kathryn told me, when it comes to narrating, she always feels equal parts privilege and fear, just hoping she tells the story as the author intended.
Having recorded the work of many talented writers, including Nicole Alexander, Karly Lane and Sandie Docker, Kathryn said she also feels very fortunate. “What an amazing, gifted group of friends you are!”
But my favourite feedback was this: “Jenn, you should be so proud of ‘A Place to Remember’. You have written a beautifully unique story of love, with wonderfully developed characters and heart touching emotional insight. There were many places that both myself and the engineer had to stop recording just to catch our breath.”
That is music to any author’s ears.
Now… Are you ready to relax and listen? Enjoy 14 hours and 9 minutes of fabulous storytelling? Narrated by Kathryn Hartman (words by yours truly).
Listen On iTunes
Listen On Google Play
Listen On Audible (Amazon) – Hear an extract for free!
Buy the CDs at Booktopia and NookAudio
Library lovers – you’d be doing me a great favour by requesting your local library make either the CD of the Mp3 version available to borrowers. (Available through Wavesound Audio)
Do you remember Sally Clements, in McLeod’s Daughters? Wife to Nick (Myles Pollard).
NOW do you understand my excitement? I’m slowly ticking McLeod characters off my bucketlist, too.
I am, after all, The Lost McLeod’s Daughter. But you all know that already, right? Here I am sharing Christmas with the gang, and yes, look closely and you’ll see I am legless – literally! *wink*
BTW – I announced this in my newsletter, but if you’re not signed up you will have missed out on lots more news, including the first big book giveaway — a giant 100 book raffle to be drawn in March.
It’s not too late. Sign up at the top of this page (on the right) and I’ll add you to the list.
I’m going back to listen to my book!
You all know how much I enjoy visiting small country towns to talk to local book lovers. Well, my Paddock to Print campaign, which is about encouraging Australian readers to support home-grown storytellers by choosing Australian-made stories, is going gangbusters. 
Originally an actress, debut novelist, D.M. Cameron, is an AWGIE nominated radio dramatist, award winning playwright and celebrated short film writer. She received funding to begin work on her first novel and was then selected for a Varuna Litlink residency to further develop this initial draft into what became ‘Beneath the Mother Tree’ – published by MidnightSun Publishing. Donna is currently at work on a second novel and taking notes for a third.