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Imagine what your book would sound like in audio! Below we give you a taste of what went on behind the scenes of some of our major productions, and a little taste of what each sounds like! For us, every book has its own unique journey. Each production is like a theatrical play - where we give you editorial choices and an immersion into the transforming of your book from the page to the ether - where it has another texture, and another life, and new unexplored listeners/readers.
Fiona Foley Provocateur
By Louise Martin-Chew
Narrated by Chrisitna Percival and Tabatha Saunders
Fiona Foley is one of Australia’s most influential artists, and she entrusted her friend art writer Louise Martin-Chew to tell her story. “From her beginnings in Hervey Bay, Queensland, it follows her young adult life in Sydney where she co-founded Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-Operative in 1986, to her rise through the art world and, most recently, into an academic life.” Christina Percival narrates Louise’s text, while fellow Badtjala woman Tabatha Saunders performs Fiona Foley’s words.
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Gaia Village
By Saeko Angwin
Narrated by Nicky Whichelow
Author Saeko Angwin connected closely with Nicky Whichelow’s audition for Gaia Village - “a journey through trauma and truth.” Nicky, a skilled performer, had a keen sense for Saeko’s poetic language. Our team created an original soundscape that perfectly harmonised the listening experience.
Lady MacGyver
Written and Narrated by Captain Michelle Huntington
You would think that, after 23 years as a pilot, Captain Michelle Huntington would have had about every type of adventure possible. She’s had a lot - but writing and narrating her own book were brand new. Lady MacGyver is ““filled with stories from the cockpit - some humorous, some heart-pounding- all brimming with lessons learned and wisdom gained.” Captain Michelle worked closely with Maria and our team to master the art of audiobook narration. We are proud audiobook co-pilots!
Love Partitioned
By Manjula Waldron
Narrated By Caroline L George
Love Partitioned is a remarkable story by Manjula Waldron, based on her family’s story during the tumultuous and violent time of the Partition of India and Pakistan. You can hear Caroline L George’s deep connection to this story in the depth of her performance. We often tell authors that one other person will know your story as well as you do, and that is your narrator. Never has that been more true than with this project.
No Wolves in Los Angeles
By MS Lawson
Narrated by David Tredinnick
A Hollywood romance - this book was so much fun! Actor David Tredinnick was the perfect voice for No Wolves in Los Angeles. A top Hollywood star meets a writer of trashy military science fiction. He shouldn’t be her type, but … well, you’ll just have to listen to this glitzy charmer.
Opening Eyes
By Dr Hugh Taylor
Narrated by Phoebe Anne Taylor
Opening Eyes was the most fantastic family collaboration. Dr Hugh Taylor’s memoir of his life as a renowned ophthalmologist working to prevent blindness all over the world was performed by his talented daughter, Phoebe Anne Taylor. Dr Taylor also recorded a special Foreword especially for the audiobook version. This project was completed with special assistance from Vision Australia.
Pain as a Portal
Written and Narrated by April Simone
Self-narration is a tough gig, and April Simone really put in the hard yards, working closely with Maria over several Zoom sessions to be ready for recording her book Pain as a Portal in one weekend. All that hard work and April’s determination and good spirit paid off. “Pain as a Portal is a transmission that serves as a guide, travelling alongside you on your journey to uncover the many gifts your pain has to offer.”
Seniors’ Stories
Volume 10
It was a landmark anniversary for the Seniors’ Stories compilation - a decade of short stories chronicling the experiences of seniors across NSW. Many authors tell us that having an audiobook version means so much to them, both hearing their stories read by professional performers, and enabling their loved ones with vision and other accessibility issues to access the book.
Some People Want to Shoot Me
By Wayne Bergmann and Madelaine Dickie
Narrated by Tamala Shelton
Shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction, Some People Want to Shoot Me is an extraordinary memoir of Wayne Bergmann’s work on the Kimberley Land Council. The authors instinctively knew that Bundjalung and Lama Lama actor Tamala Shelton was the voice for this story as soon as they heard her audition. Wayne and Madelaine also went into studios in Western Australia to record their own Introductions, giving an important personal touch to the story that is so important to them and that they worked together on for several years.
Stammering Against Truth
By Wen Gibson
Narrated by Sarah Armanious
Wen Gibson wrote one of the most honest and unflinching memoirs we’ve read. She heard Sarah Armanious’s voice on a previous project and knew immediately she wanted her to perform her story. A skilled and sensitive actress, Sarah was deeply invested in doing justice to Wen’s words. It’s a remarkable collaboration.
The Self-Made Saint
By Alexandra Addams
Narrated by Lisa Armytage
We love it so much when an author and their performer just click! This was the case when Lisa Armytage began work on Alexandra Addams’s debut novel, The Self-Made Saint. Sharing a real artistic sensibility and some similar life experiences, this partnership just feels meant to be. Alexandra also came in with a strong sense of wanting a soundscape that would include Australian birdsong. Sound designer Martin Gallagher composed chapter introductory music that lands the listener in just the right place and tone.
The Thinking Horse Breeder
By Jeanette Gower
Narrated by Christina Percival
It’s never a dull day in audiobook production, and never truer than when we got to learn all about horse breeding from an Australian master! Jeanette Gower has been breeding horses in Australia under the Chalani prefix for 50+ years, and her book The Thinking Horse Breeder is the culmination of her vast knowledge. Christina Percival (who never shies from a performance challenge!) is the voice of this audiobook. But, what to do with all of the stunning images of horses, plus other informational images? The audiobook includes a PDF download with purchase, designed to correspond with the listening experience.
Don't Cry, Dance
By Nina Angelo
Narrated by Narrated By Alice Ansara, Maria Issaris, Lex Marinos
Don't Cry, Dance is a memoir spanning four generations - through war, horror and loss, to peace, calm and love - from Auschwitz-Birkenow to Paris, London, Athens and ultimately to Sydney, Australia.
Janka was a Polish Jewish girl, and Alberto, a Spanish Greek Jewish man. This tale reveals how love and hearts of kindness came out of the horrors of the concentration camps.
In 1949, they came to Australia, bringing two cultures, 13 languages and their toddler Nina, to forge a new beginning. These two people would never have met and fallen in love, if they hadn’t survived the attempted extermination of a race in the death chambers of Europe. They knew and taught their children, that we cannot move on without forgiveness.
The Bowman Standard
By Scott Wilson
Narrated by Samuel Johnson
From 2012 to 2028, this raucous globe-spinning romp considers prospects and pitfalls for three countries crucial to the electric age. China, the USA and Australia compete, cooperate and mark their success with a common scoring system - The Bowman Standard - to determine new spheres of power.
Super-forecasters examine events across political, economics, culture, security and the environment, to maximise Bowman Standard scores, at the behest of the world's most influential advisors: Mr Wang, a Chinese Communist Party apparatchik with a demanding boss, Tiffany St. James, a do-gooding American heiress, and Hope Peterman, a management consultant briefed to preserve the wealth of her client, an elite cabal secretly ruling Australia.
Factual and funny, this book will appeal to listeners who like a broad perspective on recent history, current affairs and our near future.
Mind What You Think
By Dr Karen Graham
Narrated by Andrew Bukenya
HOW TO FIND BALANCE AND ENJOY FREEDOM FROM STRESS
A new perspective about mental habits and reactions that cause stress or anxiety; and why distraction or trying to force yourself to change what you think can’t last for long - because the mind will argue back. Genuine lasting change requires the whole mind to agree and be conflict-free.
Our Tom
By J. E. Gaulton
Narrated by David Ault
Set during the First World War, Our Tom is the story of Thomas Middleton, who upon hearing of the sinking of the Lusitania, enlists. What he discovers is that the welcome world of men and the regime of military life is not everything. And amid the turmoil of war he meets a fiery young nurse called Ella. On the eve of the third battle for Gaza, Tom and Ella are torn apart by rigid rules and a hidden secret.
Senior Stories
Volume 9
What an adventure this was (we have worked on this project for three years in a row - Vol 7 and 8) - a fabulous government project to enshrine and honour the stories of our elders in the community). In practical terms though we worked with over 30 narrators in 25 different languages - so that all community members can have access to the stories worldwide. And for the first time last year - we uploaded the audiobook to Audible/Spotify. And our team attends the launch at Parliament House!
Russell
By Albert Gormley
Narrated by Samantha Russell
Russell and his family live under tight armed security in a hidden valley, controlled by their wealthy father who is determined to keep them from the world outside. Although over-indulged, Russell's life of ease is a form of imprisonment.
Unlike his siblings, Russell questions the reality of his home, longing for freedom and fulfilment. So when an unexpected source offers him a chance to escape, Russell must choose between luxury and seclusion or freedom and reality. With only limited knowledge of what lies beyond the valley.
The Art of Frugal Hedonism
By Adam Grubb & Annie Raser-Rowland
Narrated by Alice Ansara
The Art of Frugal Hedonism - a witty and intelligent work - and a cult classic (over 35,000 copes sold worldwide!) so we were all onboard! The highly respected actor Alice Ansara (stage and film) - fit the sessions for recording this work while working in Brisbane on a new Stan series. And the authors lived in two different states and time zones! The authors are now inserting their own sound effects - working to the budget they have at hand - fabulous!
Let's stay you could save money, inoculate yourself against many of the ills of modern life, live more lightly on the earth, and enjoy everything more on both the sensual and profound levels. Preposterous!
The Balance Theory
By Natasha Piccolo
Narrated By Sarah Armanious
Piccolo is your coach and guide on the exploration of The Balance Theory—an entirely channelled work on the depths of universal wisdom and how it all points back to the importance of balance.
From natural cycles and body systems, to life, death, adversity, relationships, and everything in between, The Balance Theory asks you to perceive everything that has ever existed as moving energy—with peace and harmony the only true goal.
Your Body is the Portal to Your Soul
By Iris Angellys
In Your Body Is the Portal to Your Soul, Iris Angellys provides the simple steps to allow you to develop a loving, respectful and reverent relationship with your body. You will understand the different sensations your body uses to communicate with you, and how to live in alignment with your body’s guidance in order for you to live your life to its fullest potential. This book is filled with lived experiences, wisdom, practices, interviews, inspirational quotes and poetry to gently guide you home to your self.
Songforge
By James Beckingham
Narrated by Yasmin Hingun
A centuries old battle is about to erupt, and the future of all the races rests upon the most unlikely people in the Empire.
Aerik is a slave, his life surrounded by squalor and death. By day he works in the fields, at night takes solace in a secret slave bar, entertaining his friends and helping them escape the grim reality of life. When the Drakes destroy all he holds dear, Aerik is left with a burning desire for revenge...
Honoured SongForger Kelkh Ironbound is one of the rare few Drakes gifted with the ForgeSong, a magic that allows him to create weapons of immense power. He encounters Annah, a human outcast shunned by her own people.
Teamership
By Keegan Luiters
We are on multiple teams because modern organisations need to operate as dynamic networks of teams to keep up with a rate of change that is outpacing their hierarchical structures that rely on rigid policies and procedures. Operating as a dynamic network of teams is a pathway to a more agile, dynamic and connected way of working.
For most of us, teamwork on multiple teams feels like a lot of work and not much team, draining us of energy, attention, and time.
Teamership gives you the tools to make multiple teams work. It exposes what has been hiding in plain sight - that our assumptions about how work gets done in modern organisations needs to shift.
Mastering Hard Conversations
Mark Rosenberg
Managing conflict is a core capability for today's leaders. In this book, Mark Rosenberg draws on his extensive experience as an executive coach and mediator to provide leaders with insights and practical tools to improve communication and master hard conversations.
Black, Gay & Underage
Born on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean, Wil Roach grew up as a gay black boy in frosty London, learning by degrees about cultural and sexual diversity.
Mind What You Think
By Dr Karen Gaye Graham
Narrated by Andrew Bukenya
RESILIENCE STARTS HERE. FINDING BALANCE IN YOUR MIND is how to get peace fast and mentally stronger. You can control your mind.
Learn why stress happens and why you need to work with your whole mind. Discover how to find balance to get more peace or gain confidence instantly—because there will be no resistance in your mind.
A new stress management approach easy to put into practice immediately. You can free yourself from negative thoughts and unblock your potential. Your subconscious mind will agree.
You can change your life by making little changes to the way you think.
The Olympus Project
By Zoe Routh
Narrated by Christina Percival
The future. Climate change has rendered much of the world desolate. Crops are failing. Rising seas have flooded coastal communities. The earth is dying, and humanity careens toward extinction.
Enter the Olympus Project—a plan to colonise the moon, building on the fledgling Artemis base, led by three of humankind’s best and brightest: Troy Bruin, Xavier Consus, and Xanthe Waters.
But even the best and brightest can fall prey to humanity’s failing. Soon Xavier, Troy, and Xanthe are at war—with the arduous process of creating a new home on a hostile moon, with meddling corporations jockeying for control, with the new recruits battling for open positions on their team…and with themselves.
Lillian's Eden
By Cheryl Adam
Narrated by Caroline L. George
Cheryl Adam's Lillian's Eden takes the reader on a journey through rural post-war life in the midst of a family attempting to survive on a pittance. Lillian is confronted by her impecunious, philandering and violent husband but agrees to move from the farm that she has built up from scratch to the coastal town of Eden to look after Aunt Maggie. Aunt Maggie is a wonderfully drawn eccentric character but Lillian has to work out just how to make this relationship work. Cheryl Adam's novel reminds us of Ruth Park and Kylie Tennant with its raw richness.
Whole Hearted
By Terri Connellan
Narrated by Christina Percival
A wise mix of memoir, practical strategies and positive self-leadership resources for women going through major change in their lives. Wholehearted: Self-leadership for women in transition is a personal recount of one woman's journey about shifting from being a long-term government employee towards enjoying a richer, more self-directed and creative life as an inspirational life coach.
When author, Terri Connellan, realises she no longer aligns with the organisation where she has worked for thirty years, she turns her back on a successful career and searches for a different, more purposeful life. Wholehearted unveils this transition journey and path to shaping a more fulfilling, creative and values driven life through low and high moments and life altering decision making.