INDEPENDENT ‘AUDIO-FIRST’ ENTERTAINMENT STUDIO RELEASES FIRST-EVER TRAILER FOR AUDIBLE’S #1 SCI-FI AUDIOBOOK SERIES: EXPEDITIONARY FORCE BY CRAIG ALANSON
Author: Craig Alanson
Narrator: R.C. Bray
Length: 15 hours 53 minutes
Series: Expeditionary Force, Book 3
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Released: May 23, 2017
Genre: Science Fiction
From multimillion dollar, best-selling author Craig Alanson (and narrated by fan-favorite R.C. Bray) Expeditionary Force is a New York Times best-selling military science-fiction series that will be composed of 14 novels. The first audiobook in the series, Columbus Day, was one of five finalists for the prestigious Audie Award in 2018 and has been optioned for film and television by Milmar Pictures (AIR FORCE ONE, CASTLE, HOLLOW MAN). Zachary Quinto (STAR TREK, NOS482, HEROES) and Kate Mulgrew (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, STAR TREK: VOYAGER) starred in the epic Expeditionary Force audio drama HOMEFRONT; Armageddon, Book 8, debuted at #1 on all of Audible. Books 1-9 are available now on Audible.
While the crew of the starship Flying Dutchman have been trying to assure people that hostile aliens do not have access to Earth, the UN Expeditionary Force has been stranded on the planet they nicknamed “Paradise”. The Flying Dutchman is headed back out on another mission, and the UN wants the ship to find out the status of the humans on Paradise. But Colonel Joe Bishop warns that they might not like what they find, and they can’t do anything about it without endangering Earth.
Podium Audio is thrilled to announce the debut of the studio’s first audiobook trailer to mark the release of Valkyrie, the highly-anticipated ninth installment of New York Times best-selling author Craig Alanson’s Expeditionary Force sci-fi audiobook series. Voiced by R.C. Bray and edited by leading advertising agency Jump/Cut (trailers for PARASITE, FIRST REFORMED, CAPTAIN FANTASTIC), the audiobook trailer is Podium’s first foray into the audiovisual realm.
Podium Audio’s First-Ever Trailer Marks the Release of Valkyrie, the Highly-Anticipated Ninth Audiobook from the #1 Independently Published Sci-Fi Novelist in the World
Craig Alanson is a NYT best-selling author. His first audiobook ‘Columbus Day’ was one of five finalists for Audiobook Of The Year 2018 Visit craigalanson.com for FAQs, blog posts, merchandise, etc.
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From an early age Audie, Earphones, and SOVAS Voice Arts Award-winning audiobook narrator R.C. Bray despised reading. Truly hated it with a passion.
And audiobooks? Even worse. Those were for people too lazy to read (not to be confused with those like himself who didn’t want to read to begin with).
R.C. eventually got older and wiser (he was always good-looking) and eschewing his capricious convictions fell head-over-heels with reading. Not just to learn words like “eschew” and “capricious” so he could use them in a bio line, but because someone was actually going to give him money to do it.
Note: R.C.’s gorgeous wife and three beautiful children begged him not to make this his official bio. Clearly he misunderstood.
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Podium is an industry-leading independent audiobook publisher built upon the foundation of successful partnerships with self-published authors and narrators. With deep share of voice in the genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Romance, the company has enjoyed quick commercial and critical acclaim, releasing almost 1,300 audiobooks, numerous best-sellers, winning an Audie Award and 13 Voice Arts Awards. Podium is best-known for supporting, nurturing and discovering independent authors and narrators from the U.S. and around the world. The company gained international notice when it took a risk on one-time unknown author Andy Weir (The Martian) and turned his e-book into the largest audiobook seller in the world.
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Q&A with Narrator R.C. Bray
- When did you know you wanted to be an audiobook narrator?
- When I heard Frank Muller for the first time (The Dark Tower, Book II: The Drawing of the Three). I always thought a narrator just “read” the book. When Frank started doing character voices and acting and just all-around engaging me as a listener, I knew that with my background it’s what I’m supposed to do.
- How did you wind up narrating audiobooks? Was it always your goal or was it something you stumbled into by chance?
- My last job before becoming a full-time narrator, was as Senior Producer and Voiceover for a company owned by a wonderful guy named Mark Kaplowe who was the voice of HBO, Butterfinger, Zest, and other big businesses in the 90s. When his son was born, he wanted to eliminate traveling into NYC so he could be around him as much as possible. So he combined his love for automobiles and voiceover prowess, and began an ad company for local car dealerships. His big thing was “growing his business” and he loved audiobooks that were related to just that. Since I had a commute of about 45 minutes (both ways) he wanted me to listen to them as well. I listened to countless business audiobooks before I decided to try a fiction title – The Dark Tower, Book I: The Gunslinger by Stephen King seemed like a good, short place to start. George Guidall was an outstanding introduction to audiobooks (Fiction), but it wasn’t until Frank Muller that I actually made an effort to find out more about becoming a narrator.
- Did you find it difficult to “break into” audiobook narration? What skill/tool helped you the most when getting started?
- I had two great champions get me through the door: Pat Fraley and Scott Brick. Bringing my years of acting experience to narration impressed them enough to make suggestions, introductions, and continued support. Also, ACX was launched the same time I got into narration. Being able to use that as a means to navigate the process (along with many patient authors, rights holders, and independent publishers), was a godsend. Several of the titles I did via ACX garnered attention from bigger publishers and off I went.
- What type of training have you undergone?
- I was a CTA (Communications/Theatre Arts) major in college that performed Off-Broadway and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I also attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting where, because of my theatre background, I excelled during the voiceover portion. It was my abilities in voiceover that was a catalyst to getting the job at Kaplowe Studios.
- How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for narrating?
- I keep from burning out by thinking of my past jobs. I don’t ever want to have to go back to doing any of them. The thought of that lights a massive fire in me.
- What are your favorite and least favorite parts of narrating an audiobook?
- Unless it’s really brilliant writing, my least favorite part is when I get to the middle and realize I’m only halfway done. My favorite part is being exposed to books I would likely have never picked up.
- Is there a particular genre you feel unsuited for? Have you ever declined a project because you didn’t think you were right for it?
- I’d love to be suited for children’s/YA novels, but I’m afraid my deep voice doesn’t jibe well with them.
- How closely do you prefer to work with authors?
- Enough to get certain information but definitely not so much they start to direct. You wrote it, now let me read it.
- Who are your “accent inspirations”?
- Frank Muller, Paul Michael, Scott Brick
- What types of things are harmful to your voice?
- No idea. I’m not a vocal warm-up kind of guy. I just go for it. Pneumonia sucks though.
- Has anyone ever recognized you from your voice?
- No, but after I tell people what I do (only if they ask, I don’t like bringing it up) they inevitably “hear it now!”
- How does audiobook narration differ from other types of voiceover work you’ve done?
- Stamina and dedication. TV/Radio spots are “drop-ins” while narration is an ongoing and much more rewarding process. The product is so much more satisfying.
- Do you read reviews for your audiobooks?
- When the mood strikes
- If so, which ones stand out to you most, positive or negative?
- Negative. I love them! They’re hysterical! Seriously – what kind of day/week/life must you be having to so viciously attack a narrator, story, etc.? It’s a book f*cking audiobook. Relax. But if you keep posting them, I’ll keep laughing my ass off at them!
- What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
- Oh just shut the f*ck up already.
- What bits of advice would you give to aspiring audiobook narrators?
- You can find it all on my website – www.rcbray.com – under the “Two Cents” heading.
- What’s next for you?
- Just going to keep on keeping on.
- Bonus question: Any funny anecdotes from inside the recording studio?
- Plenty. But I’m afraid I’ll just have to keep those to myself!
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Podium Publishing. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
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