Author Archives: Jamie Watson

When a lot of people hear “3.0” they immediately think “technology,” but really, where are we NOT thinking of technology these days?

However, the X.0 concept really just means “next generation.” What are our next gen users going to want? Expect? Find archaic? This is ultimately what Libraries 3.0 is attempting to get us to think about.

Anyone remember the conventional wisdom “Teens will only read paperbacks?” If you were still following that maxim, you wouldn’t have gotten New Moon in your collection til last summer.’  Or graphic novel collections that assumed all graphic novels were for teen collections? What are some outdated ideas that we might be holding onto RIGHT NOW just waiting for us to think our way through and overthrow?

Posted by Jamie Watson

Highlights #2 from the YALSA Preconference.
Presented by Daniel Bostick and Bruce Coville, Full Cast Audio; Tim Ditlow, Random House/Listening Library; and Eileen Hutton, Brilliance Audio.

Q: How do producers determine what to publish?
A: It must be a good book! Random House gets thousands of manuscripts a year with potential to become just a small list of audiobooks. For Full Cast, a book must be driven by dialogue since, they are read by a “full cast” of characters. All publishers agree that a good review in a review journal can alert them to something they may want for audio. Publishers also look for a balanced list – a variety of age groups, genres, etc.

Q: Is having a cd that releases simulteously with the print book important?
A: For Brilliance, since they are predominantly a retail publisher, it is very important. Now that Listening Library is a part of Random House, there can be a simulatenous release, taking advantage of joint publicity. Often, in retail situations, when a book sells out, retailers will handsell the audiobook.

Q: In terms of young adult material, how do you deal with challenging, potentially controversial material?
A: Full Cast mentions controversial language (ie. the “f” word!) They made the decision to include a “strong language” note on the package. Listening Library mentions that at one time they had the Top 10 Challenged books all on audio. Both agree that if the “controversial” contact is organic and true to the book, not gratuitious, that is a valid reason for publishing the material. Brilliance publishes predominantly adult material, and they label them as such ( ex. Adult Fiction.)

Q: How are casting decisions made?
A: Full Cast has a stable of readers (think theater troup!) They use actual teen readers to narrate the teen characters. Authors are not always (and usually not!) the best choice to read their own works – trained actors and narrators are the true professionals. Sometimes accents drive the decision – Full Cast doesn’t record works that require British or Southern accents, since their stable is from upstate New York. Listening Library hunted far and wide for an authentic midwestern accent for their recent “Dairy Queen.”

Q: How about format? Cassettes, cds, downloadable?

A: Cassettes are over! Retailers are not buying them at all – libraries and schools still are to a point, but it is on a life support. The retail side of Listening Library’s offerings via Audible is now 15% of their total sales.

And now for lunch! Back this afternoon.

Posted by Jamie Watson

Throughout the day,I’ll be posting highlights live from the YALSA Preconference entitled Reading with your Ears. Comment if you have any questions, or send me an email at watson@hcplonline.info.

Curriculum Connections
Presented by Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI and Mary Stump, Arlington County, VA Public Schools.

Why Listen?

Most important point: Listening is not cheating!

A good way to enhance literacy is NOT to try to read along : the narrator can read faster than you can keep up. Rather listen first and then read, or read first and then listen.

Listening can add to the reading experience just like a movie version does.

Preponderence of mp3 players is giving an extra motivation to try listening.

What’s the best reason to listen to audiobooks? It’s fun! The quality of narration is superior and often provided by well-known actors. It’s also a wonderful family activity. It’s a great way to give parents the opportunity to share books with their teens. You can stop the book manually and talk about the story.

How to Listen?

Is the book appropriate for audio presentation? Is the book or story one that lends itself to being read aloud?

And yes, correct pronunciation of all text is REQUIRED for a good audiobook!

An audio edition may make the material more accessible to a wider audience.

Several audiobooks were shared, complete with clips, and then linked to specifics from a variety of statewide curriculum standards. In many cases, the audio demonstrates the selected standard in an even stronger manner than the print version does.

Registrations are still being accepted for the YALSA Preconference, Reading With Your Ears.

During the Preconference, Listening Library/Books on Tape is holding an exciting contest.Attendees are invited to an open audition (held during the preconference break times) that will include reading and recording a small sample. The winning librarian and a guest will be flown to New York City to attend a recording session of a YA novel AND record a literacy message to be used on a future audiobook.

Don’t miss this chance for fame! Attend the Reading with your Ears preconference!

YALSA’s Preconference in New Orleans is entitled Read with Your Ears, and is focusing on Audiobooks for Teens. Throughout the day, there will be panels of both reviewers and producers of Young adult audiobooks. There will also be a presentation about tying Audiobooks into the curriculum. Enjoy a relaxing lunch with guest speaker Tamora Pierce, and return for more, including a wrap-up discussing trends, marketing, and more.

Stay tuned to the YALSA blog for information on a VERY exciting contest for pre-conference attendees.
Register Now for the Preconference!

Posted by Jamie Watson