Joshua Gayou - Commune - The Complete Series - A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Box Set (Books 1-4)

When Josh asked me to write the foreword to this Commune box set I said, “Haven’t I done enough for you already?” He then reminded me, in a very lady-like manner, that it was him and his story of Jake, Billy, Amanda, Clay, Gibbs, Blucifer, the SDFSB, and the rest that really put Blue Heron Audio on the map. We quickly agreed that each had a major hand in the other’s success, then sealed it with a very slow, very supple, embrace. Why, I can even still feel the tickle of… But I digress.

How about we go back to how it all started.

I held a Reddit Ask Me Anything back in April 2017 to essentially talk about how great I am. Too many people to count attended and, like now, I was very humble in regaling my greatness.

As I was attempting to wrap up this highly successful (obviously) event, this clueless lowlife decided to attempt buttering me up to get answers his questions. Because I strive to be magnanimous with the inept, I took a moment to entertain his incessant rambling.

Here’s the transcript of how it played out:

gayouj: Hey, man, thanks for taking the time. Having interacted with you online for a while, I see a lot of writers who have commented on the fact that they felt like they won the lottery when they learned that you would be narrating their work. So, having just published my novel, I’m curious. Are there any specific things a writer can actively do to get picked up for an audio book deal outside of just sell copies/get noticed? Is there a reputable submission process? I see all kinds of “services” out there that’ll take your cash up front. I’m just wondering what the process has been for a lot of these guys who have struck it big. Also, I’ll note (and I’ve said this before) that if I ever get to a point where one of my books are narrated by you, at about that point I’ll consider myself to have succeeded. Thanks again, man!

audbks: hey gayouj! this is a pretty deep question actually and one i can’t really answer to the extent you’d probably like. but i will say that getting an audiobook produced via ACX.com is the way to start out. it all depends on who you cast to narrate it though. ACX will put you in touch with a massive amount of narrators – getting one who can gain attention for you depends on how much you want to spend on it. if you want to give me a shout at i’ll get back to you with a better answer after i’ve been able to rethink it for an hour or two. happy to do this with anyone here tonight as well. i’ll then put up a page with your question and my answer so everyone can see what i had to say about it. again – so sorry this was a lame answer but it is a very deep one. when your book’s ready give me a shout!

gayouj: Not lame at all. I’m a total freaking newb so any knowledge I get is more than what I started with. I think I’ll take you up on that and send you an e-mail. I can’t tell you how cool it is of you to be making yourself available like that to all here.

audbks: many folks made themselves available to me early on – that’s the beauty of this biz. EVERY narrator i’ve met is absolutely caring, helpful, honest, etc. Truly a wonderland to be a part of.

gayouj: Well, again, the effort you’re going to for your fans is admirable. I shot you that e-mail (has my last name “Gayou” in the address in case I get spam filtered). It looks like you’re getting nailed from all sides with a lot of great questions. I’ll sit back and watch the party. Have a great night, boss.

audbks: thanks again – and i see your email. i’ll be sure to delete it before i sign off tonight!

< Later that same night >

( Note: there’s a three-hour time difference with me on the right coast, Josh on the wrong… I mean left coast. )

On Apr 5, 2017, at 9:49 PM, wrote:

Mr. Bray,

You offered so I’m taking you up on it. For reference, here is the original question and your follow up response:

< here, Josh copied in the two AMA paragraphs above, then continues…>

I’ve done a bit of looking into ACX.comand it’s definitely one of those things that might happen at some point in the future. As I noted, I’m just barely starting out – I don’t have the money to get the ball rolling out of my own pocket. It’s why I was curious about some of these guys who seem to have been picked up by audio publishing groups such as Podium and so forth. I actually went over to Podium’s site to see what that looked like and it seems pretty clear that they’re not interested in random mucks like me throwing them a submission; they’re pretty explicit that they want to come find talent, not the other way around.

So I’m guessing (and don’t feel bad if you have nothing to add to this; sometimes the answers really are just that simple) the solution is just be patient, rack up notoriety, and revisit at a later time.

Having just published my book, I’ve learned more about the business side of all this than I ever really cared to. One of the things that I’m learning is that audio books now seem to be the big gatekeeper to that next level in self publishing. There is a veritable glut of ebooks out on the market since it has become so easy to produce them and thousands of writers out there just like me are all clamoring to get noticed. It’s like holding a farting contest in a wind tunnel: you’re pretty sure that you’re making noise but it’s just impossible to tell for sure. Also, the whole experience stinks.

Audio books are this final hold-out for recognition because not many folks can produce them; the barrier to entry is simply too high and I imagine it’s hard to come up with a model where a studio goes in on the costs with a writer unless you have some sort of assurance that the finished work is actually going to sell.

You said, ” when your book’s ready give me a shout!” I appreciate the encouragement, man, and that’s sincere. I’d like to say that I know the thing is worth your efforts; it’s the best anything I’ve ever written. When I wrote it, I had your voice in my head as I was writing the character dialog wondering how it would sound. You’re a big god damned influence is what I’m saying here.

But I also know the reality of the situation (it’s like that dream that aspiring actors have when they move to Hollywood with big plans to get noticed and they start slipping head shots into menus at famous restaurants). Look, I don’t know how any of this works but I have a good idea that you’ve got people shoving stuff at you all the time saying, “Read this! I know you’ll love it.”

That isn’t me. You said that you’d be willing to give a deeper answer when you had some time to work it over. I’m honored for any advice you’re willing to take the time to share.

I also want to tell you that I’m glad as hell you landed in the profession you did and that I ran into your work. It has been a hell of a ride, for you and me both. I’m listening to Expeditionary Force, Book 1 right now. You’ve outdone yourself again, man.

On Wed, Apr 5, 2017 at 8:47 PM, wrote:

Hey Josh,

I’ll give you a shout tomorrow. But in the meantime get rid of the Mr. Bray shit and call me Bob

Thanks again for stopping in tonight!

On Wed, Apr 5, 2017 at 9:11 PM, wrote:

Hah! Bob, it is.

On Apr 6, 2017, at 12:35 AM, wrote:

I just finished reading up the rest of the AMA thread after getting home from work. It went really well, man. I’m glad you went for it.