Demon Cycle Audiobooks
I never used to be a big audiobook listener. Up until a few years ago, the only audiobook I had ever owned was The Gunslinger, by Stephen King, which someone gave me when I was a kid and bedridden with the flu. It was on cassette tape, so you can imagine how long ago that was.
The Gunslinger was read by Stephen King himself, and in the introduction, he commented on what he saw as the value of audiobooks being read by the author. This was something that stuck with me.
Many years later, when I sold the audio rights to my first novel, The Warded Man, to Recorded Books, I remembered those words, and told my agent that I would like to narrate the audiobook myself. I’ve been told I have a good reading voice, and I already knew how to pronounce all my made up words. I knew which words to emphasize to get the most out of each sentence, delivering it to the listener just as it was in my head when written.
Both my agent and Recorded Books were a bit taken aback by my request. This was not at all the norm, as standard practice was to hire professional voice actor to do narration. But I stuck to my guns, and RB agreed to let me come in to they NY sound studio and audition. It was weird, having to auditioning to narrate my own work, but I went in full of confidence, and delivered a stellar audition.
Or so I thought.
A couple weeks later, they got in touch thanking me for my audition, but telling me they were taking a pass in favor of Broadway actor Pete Bradbury.
Grrr. Who was this Pete Bradbury, and what made him so darn special? I was annoyed, but my agent convinced me to let it go in the interests of delivering the highest quality audiobook possible. I was given audio samples of Bradbury’s work, and couldn’t deny the man was talented.
Soon after, RB got in touch again. Pete had read the book, loved it, and sent a LONG list of words he wanted proper pronunciation for. Character names, Krasian words, stuff I made up, etc.
I was somewhat mollified. If it wasn’t going to be me pronouncing everything, at least they were working with me to make sure it was done right.
A few months later, the 18 hour audiobook was sent to me for a quality check. I hadn’t listened to an audiobook in years, but I am a firm believer that everything with my name on it is part of my global brand, and I want to make sure it is all of the best quality possible. I started listening to it while going for long walks in the park.
I was immediately taken in by Bradbury’s rendition. I had been afraid he would be tempted to overact, making up voices, creating fake accents, and speaking in falsetto for the female characters. Instead, Bradbury made subtle changes in tone and inflection as he read, making it clear who was speaking without resorting to excess theatrics. His voice is deep and rich, with just a touch of gravel. I felt like a kid sitting by the fire as my grandfather read me a book.
I shifted overnight from being annoyed at Pete to one of his biggest boosters, recommending the audiobooks enthusiastically, and listening to them multiple times to help me refresh myself on events when working on the next books. I also became an audiobook fan in general, and have listened to quite a few books by other authors/narrators since then.
Some months later, I learned quite by accident that there were UK audiobook versions of The Painted Man and The Desert Spear on sale. I had known the rights sold in the UK, but had assumed that the producers there, like the ones in the US, would be in touch during production.
On request, I was sent copies of the UK versions of the first two books, but was disappointed to learn upon listening that, having not been consulted, the new narrator, Peter Joyce, mispronounced most every name and made-up word in the books. Statistically, you would think they would have guessed right a few times, but alas. It was difficult for me to even listen.
It wasn’t a matter of the narrator, precisely. While more theatrical than I prefer, Peter Joyce is unquestionably talented, and lord knows we Americans are used to narrators with a British accent. I just felt quite strongly that it was not presenting my work properly and consistently.
This was in 2010. After some discussions with my agents, I requested that the UK license the author-approved Pete Bradbury version of the audio moving forward, to maintain consistency and quality control for the global brand. The decision was mine, and mine alone. The Daylight War was still years from completion, though, so it seemed a distant prospect.
Fast forward to the present. The Daylight War has launched in both countries, with Pete Bradbury as the worldwide audio narrator. I realize this comes as a jarring transition for some UK audio fans who had become accustomed to the Joyce performance, a few of whom have posted their feelings on the blog and on audible. I do apologize for that. However, I continue to believe that Bradbury puts forward the best performance in line with how I want my work presented. Given the chance, I honestly believe he will win over any doubters.
I am currently in talks with Voyager, my UK publisher, in hopes of making the Bradbury versions of the first two books available in the UK as well, so there can be consistency moving forward. I was delaying this post until I had a clear plan on that front, but sometimes these things move slowly.
If you’re interested in a more theatrical performance of the books on audio, I recommend giving the Graphic Audio productions a try.
With original music and a full cast of incredibly talented voice actors, Graphic Audio has really created something special and unique that I endorse fully. GA is contracted to produce the entire series, including the novellas. So far they have The Warded Man and The Desert Spear up for sale, but they will be adding The Daylight War, The Great Bazaar and Brayan’s Gold shortly. If you are outside the US, you can visit their international page.
Did the small print say ‘a Pete’ (Pete Bradbury v Peter V Brett )
I like this post. Found it really interesting.
It shows how an author of a work both can and cannot influence how their work is then taken forward when it moves between mediums.
Dear Peter,
Thank you for finally addressing the issue of audiobook narrators. Unfortunately, I find myself dismayed at your decision to press the Pete Bradbury version onto your UK fans who have become used to the style and tone of Peter Joyce. Yes this change is very jarring and regrettably I don’t believe many will be won over by the change.
I can understand your feelings over the mispronunciation of terms, this is after all a world which you created and you know it best. Any blame for this sits squarely with the publishers for not consulting you prior to recording. It is interesting to me that Peter Joyce sounded more theatrical to you when Pete Bradbury came across as over-dramatic to me when I first tried to listen to the Daylight War. This just shows a difference in how we think.
The Painted Man was the first audiobook which I had bought in a long time, and this is how I fell in love with your writing. Admittedly, accents do matter to me and I bought it purely because it had a British narrator and a few good reviews. I personally find it hard to follow some American narrators due to accent changes and (what this all seems to come down to) jarring differences in pronunciation. We are attracted to that which we are most familiar. My point is, without this version I would not have become a fan and my personal preferences mean that I will not be buying any further audiobooks for the series.
Instead I bought and read the Daylight War and enjoyed it immensely. Returning to pronunciation, I find that I would not have read any words differently in my own head to the Peter Joyce audiobook. Phonetically they seem the same, and so any discrepancy must come down to accents and not spelling, meaning that something has been lost in translation. It is a shame that you feel the UK versions misrepresent your work when had I simply read the first two novels I would have been blithely unaware that I was reading them wrong.
Although still very much a fan, I am still deeply disappointed. All I can see from this is that publishers and authors must work more closely to prevent these discrepancies.
Please keep writing, we your audiobook fans are only upset because we love your work so much.
Amy Stephen
Thanks, Amy. I really appreciate that. I too wish things had shaken out differently, but sometimes it’s not that simple. I don’t think anyone can read “wrong” in their own head, but I do have strong opinions about how my work is presented in all media. I’m glad you’re continuing to enjoy the books.
Thanks for the explanation, it is a real shame though.
I would be interested in an example or 2 of the mispronunciation though? If you wouldn’t mind?
Also, why does the pronunciation matter? Other than to match how you say it? Is it consistency with the forthcoming films?
As Amy mentions – I have read the latest book. I can’t listen to Bradbury now as its too different. I continue forward using the pronunciation that is most familiar to me.
The upsetting part is that I now need to buy the first two books to have a complete collection as I can’t buy audiobooks going forward. That galls a little as I feel as if I’m having to double purchase for someone else’s mistake.
Cheers Peat – keep writing – the book was great even if the cliff hanger was mean 😉
Ollie
Hi Ollie,
Thanks for commenting.
Basically every Krasian name and word in the Desert Spear was mispronounced. Obviously, there are accent differences between British and American English, but I felt it went beyond that. I guess I am overprotective of my made-up culture. I had other concerns as well, though the list I made in 2010 is lost.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the book. I’m starting the next one in earnest today!
Dear Mr Brett,
Thank you for the post. I must say that I too am extremely disappointed with your decision. But to be honest I am not surprised. It seems that your mind was made up. Of course this is your decision and you obviously have strong misgivings about the former UK narration.
But, whatever your thoughts, that narration was hugely popular here and many many people (myself included) were waiting for the new release with baited breath.
It is such a shame that this cannot be sorted out. I too will not be purchasing the future audio releases. It pains me to say that because the first two were genius.
I do respect you for sticking by your guns even with people giving you quite a bit of stick.
But I feel that you are wrong on this occasion.
Sorry Peter, I am going to have two try And not to be rude as I am so angry. I appreciate that you have certain pronunciations in your head However the UK audience Have been given the audiobooks Narrated by Peter Joyce And therefore We have our own pictures of what it is all about. After all, It’s all down to imagination. I feel that after reading all the comments by Your UK audience Which 99% Of which voted for the Peter Joyce version Have all been ignored. I love your books However this is the end for me. You have really let me down.
Gutted I knew this was coming a little part of me thought this was taking so long because there might of been some hope at themed of the tunnel but no..
Complete stich up
And we pay for it
Thanks. Peat bit late for the short story
Mr. Brett,
Thanks for finally updating us about what the situation is. While it will suck for a while getting accustomed to Pete Bradbury, at least finally I can listen to it (been listening to the first two while I waited for this) and I cannot wait.
It always did bug me with how some of the words were pronounced (Corelings being one that I can think off the top of my head) and your reasons are not only valid but well presented.
You are not going to please everyone but I, for one, still remain a fan. Take solace in that. It will provide you with peace of mind in those dark hours of the morning. “Finnbot likes me.” Just like that.
May you have long days and pleasant nights.
Booo!
I tried with the Bradbury version and couldn’t do it. It’s like changing movie actors mid movie. I’ll give the book a go to keep the voices in my head the same.
There was an English and a American version of Harry potter jk wasn’t so selfish that she stopped a American guy narrating her books and they were different. So angry
The books have been done in German for your fans over there so why not for us Brits. I have listened to the Pete Bradbury version and don’t feel it is as good! He is not “awesome” as it was hard to listen to as you Americans do pronounce you word differently to us. Just as to see to reviews from the people that have bought the book on ITunes and I think that will be a eye opener for you. Every where I have looked people are asking for Peter Joyce to carry on. So please think again.
Pete Bradbury has not even said the names of some of the characters as you have spelled them. I’m said enough to go and check. Things like “herb” sound so different in English as opposed to American English.
Hi de hi
I have only ever listened to to Peter Bradbury version of the stories and thought they were fantastic!! Being from NZ we ” get what we are given ” like pack of naughty kids, but I have listened to them several times now and think he did a stellar job. His fluid reading of the krasian language made for easy listening. I’ve not heard the other chap but I say, good call Peter, Bradbury does your books a great justice , and afterall they are your creation and have every right to demand how they are handled.
You are Alienating a lot of fans by doing this! Just aak your uk publishers what would go down better here.
Hi, while I understand a writers need (well more an OCD than a need) to control all aspects of their work I cannot agree with this sudden change part way through a series for part of the audience.
Having listened to the first 2 books read by Peter Joyce and now on chapter 9 of Daylight war there is very little I can hear that is pronounced massively different between the two readers other than a couple of instances (one being the aforementioned ‘corelings’). The only real difference I can ascertain is the narration style where Peter Joyce identifies each character by different accents and ‘acting’ the story whereas Peter Bradbury uses tonal differences and tells the story. I believe that with the UK history of story telling on television and radio being more theatrical it made more sense for a UK release to be the same.
I doubt you will have as much success controlling your work going into the future movie(s) with the movie industry being as they are only the really huge, as in JK huge, do writers get any say at all. Although I do after seeing the Earthsea re-interpretations.
On a side note does anyone else Peter Bradbury to finish a sentence with “in the Twilight Zone” ?
It is unfortunate this change has been made but I will still follow the series as you are a good writer and tell good stories it just won’t be in audio format.
Dear Mr Brett,
I’ve loved your books since I first picked up The Painted Man. You’re one of the very few authors whos’ books I’ve bought for my Kindle, in hardback and as audiobooks.
I fully understand that the story is yours, its your hard work and your fully entitled to be precious over how its presented. Basically we know its your ball, and if you want to take it back you can.
However… I’ve tried the Pete Bradbury audiobook and it simply doesn’t “fit” the UK. I know that sounds a bit weak and lacking in constructive arguments but its still true. Its not a case of not liking American narrators, I love William Dufris reading the ‘Old Mans War’ books and so do many others, but listening to Pete Bradbury after Peter Joyce is like trading down from a new SUV to a 10 year old station wagon. The station wagon does the same job, but its just not the same for the people along for the journey.
Please reconsider, send Peter Joyce some notes or something, be the ‘bigger man’ whatever please don’t disregard the opinions of your loyal fans in the UK.
… and forgive my ramblings about cars, I was trying to find a way of explaining that while you’re not wrong, in this instance you’re not quite right either.
Officially not a fan this is disgusting how selfish are you peter you don’t make this decision two books in to a series so do you expect your fans to buy the audio books of a guy we don’t like just so we can try to get use to it your a disgrace and that rubbish story you laid on makes things no better. This. Is going to haunt you telling us this now 2 months after you released your book and bringing out the American version out b4 the book very well played but your not fooling any one
No need to be rude Colin. I feel your pain, but try to make your comments reflect what you’d say if you met Peter face-to-face.
Hurling abuse rarely changes anyone’s mind 🙂
Seriously though Peter. Yo momma was sooo…
Out of 32 reviews on iTunes over here 27 of them are asking for peter Joyce. Having pete Bradbury is putting people off from getting it. Some guys have even got a refund as they just don’t like how it sounds now.
I’ve got over 200 audio book and your other two have been my most listened to over the years. This hole business is taking away from a good story.
Hey, it saddens me that you have only looked at this from your side of the coin. It seems you have all the power but to stubborn to do anything about it. For all it would take is a phone call to sort this whole mess out. Surely if it’s just pronunciation that has your knickers in a twist, then why not teach him the correct pronunciation. I am sure the UK public could come to terms with some pronunciation changes.
On a much brighter note, I have loved the series so far and highly anticipate the next chapter of the story. Keep up the good work
Oh well, Bad move. thx for the update.
I think the word wanker sums it all up quite nicely
No need for that as we may well be able to change his mind and show how much we really want peter joyce to read it!
I wish don’t thinks that’s guna happen better of cutting your losses
It’s to late I doubt peter Joyce would even read it now
These books are simply amazing… But as a British customer who was sold to the series with one actor only then to have it changed on me I feel cheated.
I understand it is your work to do with as you please but it’s like swapping the lead actor in everyone’s favourite sitcom/soap. It completely destroys the experience.
I have tonnes of audio books as I listen to them while driving and the voice actor can make a story come to life. Like Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter, once I accidentally bought one of those books with a different narrator and it ruined it for me. I returned it for Fry version Immediately.
Would it be so bad to commission Joyce for us over the pond? Just keep the same actor next time you start a series…. Please….
I have listened to all the audio books of the first two books and I must say that Peter Bradbury does a fantastic job. If anyone is into audiobooks I would definitely suggest “Ready Player One” I really enjoyed the listen.
Peter,
As a graduate student, I am constantly stressed out working on my thesis. You novels have been my one and only release from this world. They have been the best books I have ever read, and am truly grateful to you. I cannot wait until your next book, best wishes.
-Zak
Thanks for the post Peat.
To approach a taboo truth… The vast majority of UK fans will never enjoy Bradbury because of his accent. Although it is not fair, the vast majority of British tend to dislike the American accent. It grates on us.
Is there an accent you really dislike Peat? Maybe from a different state? Or Canada? Or British?
Ask yourself how you’d like one of your fave books read in that accent. Could you cope?
If you are dead against Joyce and his pronunciation it would be better for you to either correct them for him – or move to another British narrator. You would find far less resistance then.
Mind you, you’re the one in power and you have us by the balls. So I guess you could ignore us all easily enough.
You mean like he has been ever since the book came out hopefully he loss out because of it people won’t make the mistake next time I don’t think he will be selling many audio books next time as the first thing I do befor picking an audio book is listen to the prevew I always listen to them when I go to bed and joyce was amazing !!!!!! Listened to it every night books one and two over and over again was so excited for the third instalment if moved on to something else now demon war saga read by Joyce it’s a damn shame really disappointed but I honestly think we have no chance of getting what we want if I had the money I would pay peter Joyce to read it record it and just have my own private collection sadly I don’t have those funds so all I can’t do it bitch about how mean Brett !!! Is grrrrrrr!!!!
It’s not the change of narrator that irratates me, it’s that PVB expects me to pay for the US edition of the audiobook after paying for the UK ones. Maybe this is some sort of marketing scheme, I am not sure. I do know for certain though, if the situation was the other way around. There would be no thought of dismissing the US narrator as the American audience is to big.
I agree with Chris. We have purchased the first two audiobooks and are now expected to buy them again just so we can get used to the narrator that none of us actually want! Bit of a cheek really. All this because Mr Brett doesn’t like the way some words are pronounced. But it seems that nothing can be done. I too would hire Peter Joyce to read it just for me if I could.
For the record, I have never suggested that anyone buy the books again with the other narrator. I simply noted I was trying to make them available so that new people coming to the series can have consistency from the beginning.
That’s really nice of you Peter But what about your original readers? Just saying….
How about letting peter Joyce do the latest book and see which one sells more over here. We are all raving about him so don’t you think you we might have a point.
As I’ve said look at the reviews on iTunes from you Brit fans and you will see as well as the good books you have made they also go on about how good peter Joyce is.
I have just read a bunch of garbage! I think theres more for to this than is being let on! Utter bs.. im not looking forward to getting all the American version audio books… but i need to know, what happens! I wish this decision was bloody changed! 😐 — oh, the pronunciation, well you yanks and us brits have many words that we pronounce different.
You really are a disgrace I wish I had never listened to your audio book tomato tomato yogurt yogurt your basic discriminating the English language and how we speak do you think any one new is actually going to buy your audio books when they look at the reviews I don’t think sooooo
You live in dream land you yanks are all the same arrogant thinking that your way is the only way I hope North Korea bombs the shit out of u haha
I do feel let down and I am really really angry But I don’t think that that was appropriate Colin. Stuff like that isn’t going to help the Situation.
Lol loosing battle my friend the arrogant yank won’t change his mind
He won’t of you carry on like that!
Yes we are all gutted and would really like him to change his mind and that only may happen if we are level headed and can put our case forward!
I was gutted about this at first and really reluctant to give them a go but honestly one you get used to the American accent (This took a couple of hours) I honestly quite like the Peat Bradbury reading it. I’m actually listening to it again for the second time and don’t give the change of narrator a second thought.
If a Peter Joyce one was released I would defo but it though cos I do prefer his voices :0)
I tried to give it another go and had to turn it off!
It’s a shame as I was looking forward to it so much?
I’ve just seen that you have kept the same German narrator for you three book but as we speak a similar language (but not the same) peter Joyce is not good enough. It’s funny as I know guys that have only read the books and they say the words the same as him. Maybe that’s because they are Brits and that’s how we would say the while we read it.
There are to many American words that sound different to the way the English say them to count!
I think changing narrator is a tragedy. I just won’t listen to the American version! I love the way Joyce talks and weaves the story. I love how he pronounces corelings. It’s stuck in my mind.
Does it matter if the narration is slanted towards the English market and isn’t to your taste? I’d say targeting your audience correctly is clever marketing!
You initially thought you were best suited to self narrate your books. You got that wrong and in my opinion you got this decision wrong too.
Disappointing,
My enchanted story of which I invested my own valuable time and money, is left unfulfilled.
Its easier starting a new book than changing voices halfway through a series.
Sounds a ploy to make more profits than give your customers a fair deal. Buy two get a cheep copy third.
Disappointing from my most favourite story to date.
I’m not sure i want to trust your brand that you are set to protect against an entire uk market who has loved and waited for your story’s
I was disappointed too. Net result – i gave up on the series.
I could have bought the book and read it. In fact, i’d intended to, but thought i’d wait to see if Joyce narration appeared…
However, after reading this blog I decided to give up entirely. I don’t want to fund the ego.
It’s a shame Peat found out about the UK Audiobooks. Given a few more months of obscurity we might have got another Peter Joyce version. And now Peat is coming across as an unreasonable prima donna, which is a shame. Is it me, or does Pete Bradbury sound really nasal? I find myself listening in morbid fascination to the movement of the snot in his nose rather than the story itself, it’s as if he’s permanently got a cold or something. I keep wanting to snort up the snot for him so I can stop hearing it moving around. Gross.
I’m still gutted every day we don’t have peter Joyce read it!
Hi Peter,
Firstly I’d like to apologise to you on behalf of my fellow brits, it appears a few of us seem to have forgotten our manners.
The daylight war is fantastic; I really loved the book. Action packed, exciting and gripped me all the way through the end, one of those books that I really did find hard to put down.
I thank you for letting us know why you made your decision to change the UK audiobook narrator. We would all do well to remember that you did not have to let us know why.
I do prefer Peter Joyce over Pete Bradbury, as you mentioned in your post the man is undeniably talented, despite my preference I respect your reasoning behind the change. It actually reminds me of the first time I spoke aloud the name ‘Hermione’ from another popular literary series, my then 10 year old voice made a complete jumble of phonemes. Imagine my embarrassment when the films were released nearly ten years later, I spent the intervening years assuring my friends it was pronounced “Harm-own-Knee”, had the book read to me properly it would have saved me a great deal of ridicule in my late teens.
I hope you read this comment, and it reminds you that at least one of your UK readers/listeners is still thankful for the amount of time and dedication that go into writing, publishing, marketing and distributing your books. And the difficult decisions you make in each of those areas.
Keep up the great work, hope to hear from you soon (in the format of the next novel).
Adam
I liked the UK version of the painted/warded man. I tried listening to desert spear read by Pete Bradbury but his nasal voice drove me crazy. Fortunately I found a graphic audiio version of the desert spear. Now however Pete Bradbury has the only audio version of book 3-the daylight war and I cannot listen to him for any long period of time. I understand the graphic audio version will be out June 1 but it is so expensive and broken down into three parts.