With historical fiction, the exposition/scenery is always important. “Chew the scenery”. That’s what makes historical fiction great.
Classic Tales Newsfeed
Jan Ackerson
Deyan Masterclass with Lisa Smith from Oasis
What an honor to meet Lisa Smith from Oasis at the latest Deyan Masterclass. She and PJ Ochlan really helped us sharped our skills and dig a little deeper. Highlights included: How does the narrator feel about this moment? You should always know this. It makes the...
Deyan Masterclass with Gina White from Podium
It was such a treat to finally "meet" Gina White from Podium at the Deyan Masterclass last night. She and PJ Ochlan pointed out some aspects of narration that are often overlooked. These included: Always know the emotion of the scene. Always be able to put a name on...
Deyan Masterclass with Elishia Merricks from Macmillan
Amazing performances abounded in the Deyan Masterclass last night. PJ Ochlan and Elishia Merricks from Macmillan helped us really stretch and discover all the nooks and crannies we missed. Here are my key takeaways: Work that inner voice. Show the listener what the...
Deyan Masterclass with Amber Beard from Penguin Random House
Magic and wonder were on display in the Deyan Masterclass last night. The great PJ Ochlan and Amber Beard from Penguin Random House coached us through some amazing performances. Here are my key takeaways: Mind the neutral narrator. Give the narrator as much...
Deyan Masterclass with Almeda Beynon from HarperAudio
It was a real treat to be coached by PJ Ochlan and Almeda Beynon from HarperAudio at the Deyan Masterclass. We had some real breakthroughs, and it was wonderful hearing the stellar performances of the other narrators. Key takeaways included: As in writing, so in...
Christina Rooney at the Utah Audiobook Narrators Conference 2022
Utah Audiobook Narrators Conference 2022 This year, our ragtag band of narrators in Utah brought in the amazing Christina Rooney, audiobook director for Penguin Random House and others. It was some of the best training I’ve ever had. Here are some of my takeaways:...
Get Where You Want to Go
As my kids are getting older, and each are showing an affinity for lives in the creative fields, I wanted to share some thoughts on how creatives can get where they want to be, faster. I listen to marketing podcasts all the time, (Seth Godin’s Akimbo is excellent). I...
Raising Funding for your Audiobook
Many authors have asked me how to raise funding for their audiobook. I mean, you've shed a lot of blood, sweat and tears to write this thing. If you're going to make an audiobook, you need to do it right. A bad audiobook will simply not sell. You need (and deserve) a...
The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Always a candidate for the title of “The Great American Novel,” F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby will be our next podcast mini-series for March. This novel has made it into the canon of required reading for many American high schools for its richness...
The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman Burglar
Arsène Lupin is a Master of Disguise, Art Aficionado, Antique Expert, Gentleman and Burglar. He also mops the floor with Sherlock Holmes from time to time. Created by Maurice Leblanc, Lupin was inspired by several other similar fictional characters of his day who...
Download The Classic Tales Direct to iOS devices!
I love The Classic Tales, but I only have an iPad. I’m on the road, and I’d like to download an audiobook for the ride home. Does this sound familiar? Now, with a little help from some friends, you can download any title from The Classic Tales website without a...
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