The joy of audio books and hearing someone bring your words to life

The first chapter of my new novel, Only Cows and Horses, has now been brought to life in an audio format. I wanted an audio sample so that I could offer something a little different to agents/publishers alongside the usual first three chapters and a synopsis. I also thought it would be a lovely way of sharing a taster with the world ahead of publication. So I approached actor Steve White who had previously narrated all five stories from my Charlie Milverton collection and had done a cracking job. He readily agreed and set about producing my audio sample. Steve’s voice is rich and full of character, he also has great vocal range, rising well to the challenge of doing so many accents in A Question of Identity from Charlie Milverton – RP, Northern, Birmingham and Pakistani.

In his narration of Only Cows, it is undoubtedly Steve’s Yorkshire accent which is the star of the show. His take on crotchety old Dales farmer Mortimer is wonderful and it is such a joy to hear someone bring my story and characters to life.

There’s something so relaxing about listening to an audiobook, there I was doing the ironing as the words flowed out from my laptop filling the room, sounding so much more alive than if they were simply going on in my head. Audiobooks breathe life into stories, give them levels of characterization and a richness beyond the humble page.

Follow this link if you would like to listen to Steve narrating chapter one of Only Cows and Horses…