rain, cool, temps 2
Oh oh. Getting colder. Didn't see that coming.
More wonderful news (I know - it feels to me like I'm making it up too.) But heard that Ralph Cosham's audio version of Bury Your Dead had been named to the Amazon Top 10 Audio books of 2010. At number 2! Just behind the Keith Richard's book read by Johnny Depp. Not too shabby!
Congratulations, Ralph!!
Had an email from the Crime Writers Association in Britain with the great news (no, not about me - oddly) to say that this year's Debut Dagger competition has just opened. which means, those of you with unpublished crime novels really need to scoot over to the CWA website and find out more. The Debut Dagger is the competition that gave me my start (I didn't win, but being shortlisted was enough). It's open for manuscripts from around the world. Good luck!
Had fun yesterday at the Contactivity Centre in Montreal. Did a taped interview with the fabulous Shelagh Rogers for her CBC national radio show. Tomorrow I have a 1pm event at the Arnprior Book Store near Ottawa with Andrew Pyper. Then off to London tomorrow night. Don't think I'll be able to blog for a day or so...not sure what the internet access is in our flat in London. But our tradition is to get arrive in London, about 7:30 am. Get to the rented apartment about 9am - buy some groceries at Marks and Spencer (the real reason we ever go to London), then nap. Then wake up mid afternoon and go to Afternoon Tea at Harrods. Then back to bed.
Great life. Pretty much eating and sleeping.
You're welcome to join us in the Big Smoke.
Showing posts with label Ralph Cosham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ralph Cosham. Show all posts
Friday, 5 November 2010
Monday, 17 May 2010
Ralph Cosham blogs!!!
sunny, warm, temps 22
A spectacular early summer day. Hard to believe a week ago it was still snowing! And this morning, after breakfast at Hovey, Michael and I did one of our favorite things...we sat in the adirondack chairs on the lawn in the gardens, looking out at the lake, sipping coffee, reading the newspaper, and smelling lilac for the first time this year. Just a soft hint of lilac in the warm air.
Ahhhh.
But - I have a real treat for you today...Ralph Cosham does the US audio book versions of my series and has won all sorts of awards for his work - both on my books and lots of other books he tapes. Well, Ralph has agreed to guest blog. I asked if he'd mind and, gracious man that he is, he said he'd be happy to give it a go. Yesterday he sent it to me. Here is what Ralph Cosham wrote...
The moment I read the first few paragraphs of Still Life, I knew I was about to record something special. The scene, the characters, and the mood were established with the kind of skill and clarity that compels the reader to keep turning the page. (Another clue: as I continued to work, my wife would often sneak into the office to listen to me read – something she almost never does.)
Growing up in the austerity of post-World War Two England, books and the radio were my means of escape and the foundation of my love of language, reinforced and intensified by many years as a journalist and actor.
In my opinion, Louise Penny is a great mystery writer in the tradition of Ngaio Marsh and Josephine Tey, and much of the credit for whatever success I may have had in creating the audio versions of the Three Pines mysteries is due to Louise herself.
She created such vivid images in my mind that I feel that I know Three Pines and its inhabitants and I try to translate those images into an audio version that will give listeners the same level of enjoyment that her readers get. As for Gamache, he has become very special to me. To me, it is as though Roderick Alleyn and Inspector Maigret had a son: all British intellect and Gallic charm, with a dash of that understated (and often underestimated) Canadian competence.
The most frequently asked question I get when people find out I narrate audiobooks is whether I read the books in advance. I do not. There usually isn’t time. I will skip ahead a few pages to see if there are any words I need to look up for meaning or pronunciation, or to look for clues as to the origin of a new character. I’ve done this ever since I discovered, 10 pages after he was introduced, that a character’s “Scottish brogue became more pronounced!” What I try to do is create the feeling that the listener and I are discovering the book at the same time.
I am thrilled that I will be continuing to narrate the Three Pines mysteries, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the manuscript of Bury Your Dead.
Doesn't Ralph sound just wonderful? I'm looking forward to meeting him. Indeed, the publishers of the audio book are looking into organizing some events for the two of us, so we can share a stage and discuss what each of us does to bring the books and characters and settings alive. That would be great fun. I'll let you know if anything comes of that.
And, since this is such a lovely post, I've decided to leave it up for a couple of days - and put it in the June Newsletter.
Speak to you on Wednesday...though I'll be reading your comments, of course - as will Ralph, I believe.
A spectacular early summer day. Hard to believe a week ago it was still snowing! And this morning, after breakfast at Hovey, Michael and I did one of our favorite things...we sat in the adirondack chairs on the lawn in the gardens, looking out at the lake, sipping coffee, reading the newspaper, and smelling lilac for the first time this year. Just a soft hint of lilac in the warm air.
Ahhhh.
But - I have a real treat for you today...Ralph Cosham does the US audio book versions of my series and has won all sorts of awards for his work - both on my books and lots of other books he tapes. Well, Ralph has agreed to guest blog. I asked if he'd mind and, gracious man that he is, he said he'd be happy to give it a go. Yesterday he sent it to me. Here is what Ralph Cosham wrote...
The moment I read the first few paragraphs of Still Life, I knew I was about to record something special. The scene, the characters, and the mood were established with the kind of skill and clarity that compels the reader to keep turning the page. (Another clue: as I continued to work, my wife would often sneak into the office to listen to me read – something she almost never does.)
Growing up in the austerity of post-World War Two England, books and the radio were my means of escape and the foundation of my love of language, reinforced and intensified by many years as a journalist and actor.
In my opinion, Louise Penny is a great mystery writer in the tradition of Ngaio Marsh and Josephine Tey, and much of the credit for whatever success I may have had in creating the audio versions of the Three Pines mysteries is due to Louise herself.
She created such vivid images in my mind that I feel that I know Three Pines and its inhabitants and I try to translate those images into an audio version that will give listeners the same level of enjoyment that her readers get. As for Gamache, he has become very special to me. To me, it is as though Roderick Alleyn and Inspector Maigret had a son: all British intellect and Gallic charm, with a dash of that understated (and often underestimated) Canadian competence.
The most frequently asked question I get when people find out I narrate audiobooks is whether I read the books in advance. I do not. There usually isn’t time. I will skip ahead a few pages to see if there are any words I need to look up for meaning or pronunciation, or to look for clues as to the origin of a new character. I’ve done this ever since I discovered, 10 pages after he was introduced, that a character’s “Scottish brogue became more pronounced!” What I try to do is create the feeling that the listener and I are discovering the book at the same time.
I am thrilled that I will be continuing to narrate the Three Pines mysteries, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the manuscript of Bury Your Dead.
Doesn't Ralph sound just wonderful? I'm looking forward to meeting him. Indeed, the publishers of the audio book are looking into organizing some events for the two of us, so we can share a stage and discuss what each of us does to bring the books and characters and settings alive. That would be great fun. I'll let you know if anything comes of that.
And, since this is such a lovely post, I've decided to leave it up for a couple of days - and put it in the June Newsletter.
Speak to you on Wednesday...though I'll be reading your comments, of course - as will Ralph, I believe.
Monday, 10 May 2010
The Brutal Telling - audio
partly cloudy, cold, temps 4
I think maybe the lilac have survived! Not sure about the peony, and we just heard there's a hard frost expected for tonight. Oh well. It's not the worst thing if we go a year without the flowers, just as long as the bushes etc survive. And I think they will.
Had FAB news about the audio book for The Brutal Telling. Audiofile Magazine has given it a great review, and the prestigious Earphones Award. Here's the review...
THE BRUTAL TELLING
Louise Penny, Read by Ralph Cosham • Unabridged • MAY 2010
Blackstone Audiobooks • Trade Ed.
Blackstone Audiobooks • Library Ed.
This delightful listening experience involves Chief Inspector Armand Gamache as he investigates the murder of an unidentified elderly man in the Quebec town of Three Pines. The story involves the shocking discovery of priceless European treasures that disappeared during WWII. This French-Canadian cozy is infused with humor. Ralph Cosham delivers a delightful accent for Gamache and invests all the characters with small-town likability. His droll presentation displays special empathy for the town eccentric, anglophile Ruth Zardo, and her duck, Rosa. Dry wit and a love of language are evident in this well-crafted mystery. S.C.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
And - Booklist has named the audio version of The Brutal Telling one of the top ten audio mystery books of the year! Ralph Cosham, who reads the books. Congratulations, Ralph!!!
There was a flurry of concerns a week or so ago when it became apparent that there was a problem with the next book. The audio version of BURY YOUR DEAD is being done by another publisher and they'd chosen a different narrator. Everyone objected and they realized that they could not do better than Ralph! I think each audio publisher has their own informal 'stable' of actors, and they thought to go with one of their own...until their heard Ralph. And realized he'd been lauded for his readings of this series, and others.
So - double yippee.
So far I've spent all of today in my sweats in front of the fireplace (dear lord, we still need it...snow has stopped falling but it is still on the ground!!)
The goal today is to find a place to stay on the Sunshine Coast of BC when we're there for the Sechelt literary festival. While at the fest they look after our accommodation, but Michael and I decided we'd like to go a few days early and explore this gorgeous part of British Columbia. But we can't find a place to stay! I think the fact I like luxury and peace and privacy (and a spa) might be limiting the choices. But might as well try. Worst case, we just stay for a few days in Vancouver - which is also gorgeous.
So - a no-lose.
Be well - speak to you tomorrow.
I think maybe the lilac have survived! Not sure about the peony, and we just heard there's a hard frost expected for tonight. Oh well. It's not the worst thing if we go a year without the flowers, just as long as the bushes etc survive. And I think they will.
Had FAB news about the audio book for The Brutal Telling. Audiofile Magazine has given it a great review, and the prestigious Earphones Award. Here's the review...
THE BRUTAL TELLING
Louise Penny, Read by Ralph Cosham • Unabridged • MAY 2010
Blackstone Audiobooks • Trade Ed.
Blackstone Audiobooks • Library Ed.
This delightful listening experience involves Chief Inspector Armand Gamache as he investigates the murder of an unidentified elderly man in the Quebec town of Three Pines. The story involves the shocking discovery of priceless European treasures that disappeared during WWII. This French-Canadian cozy is infused with humor. Ralph Cosham delivers a delightful accent for Gamache and invests all the characters with small-town likability. His droll presentation displays special empathy for the town eccentric, anglophile Ruth Zardo, and her duck, Rosa. Dry wit and a love of language are evident in this well-crafted mystery. S.C.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
And - Booklist has named the audio version of The Brutal Telling one of the top ten audio mystery books of the year! Ralph Cosham, who reads the books. Congratulations, Ralph!!!
There was a flurry of concerns a week or so ago when it became apparent that there was a problem with the next book. The audio version of BURY YOUR DEAD is being done by another publisher and they'd chosen a different narrator. Everyone objected and they realized that they could not do better than Ralph! I think each audio publisher has their own informal 'stable' of actors, and they thought to go with one of their own...until their heard Ralph. And realized he'd been lauded for his readings of this series, and others.
So - double yippee.
So far I've spent all of today in my sweats in front of the fireplace (dear lord, we still need it...snow has stopped falling but it is still on the ground!!)
The goal today is to find a place to stay on the Sunshine Coast of BC when we're there for the Sechelt literary festival. While at the fest they look after our accommodation, but Michael and I decided we'd like to go a few days early and explore this gorgeous part of British Columbia. But we can't find a place to stay! I think the fact I like luxury and peace and privacy (and a spa) might be limiting the choices. But might as well try. Worst case, we just stay for a few days in Vancouver - which is also gorgeous.
So - a no-lose.
Be well - speak to you tomorrow.
Sunday, 10 February 2008
An audie book, it's true.
more snow expected, but sunny now, highs minus 5
Glorious day at home. Had some snow last night, not much but enough to smooth everything out and have it cling to the trees. And now this brilliant day with sun almost blinding off the snow. The only break in the field is where the dogs have played this morning.
I mentioned yesterday that A FATAL GRACE is just out in paperback in the States. Well I'd also like to mention that it has been nominated for a prestigious AUDIE award in the US - for Ralph Cosham's reading. I know I mentioned this before - but what I didn't have at the time was the list of the other finalists. Here it is...
Hollywood Station by Joseph Wambaugh, narrated by Adam Grupper
Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger, narrated by Buck Schirmer
The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke, narrated by Will Patton
Up in Honey's Room by Elmore Leonard, narrated by Arliss Howard
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny, narrated by Ralph Cosham
I know all the norminees are as delighted as I am. I'm especially pleased, of course, for Mr. Cosham. Well done!
And - great personal news - the laptop is working again. A lovely reader wrote with some suggestions, and one was about the keyboard template. Well I pressed a bunch of buttons - turned the thing off overnight - looked at new laptops from DELL - then re-booted...and the keyboard worked again.
Off to continue the book on my favorite (very old) laptop by the fire.
How lucky am I?
The next book calls. Speak soon.
Glorious day at home. Had some snow last night, not much but enough to smooth everything out and have it cling to the trees. And now this brilliant day with sun almost blinding off the snow. The only break in the field is where the dogs have played this morning.
I mentioned yesterday that A FATAL GRACE is just out in paperback in the States. Well I'd also like to mention that it has been nominated for a prestigious AUDIE award in the US - for Ralph Cosham's reading. I know I mentioned this before - but what I didn't have at the time was the list of the other finalists. Here it is...
Hollywood Station by Joseph Wambaugh, narrated by Adam Grupper
Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger, narrated by Buck Schirmer
The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke, narrated by Will Patton
Up in Honey's Room by Elmore Leonard, narrated by Arliss Howard
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny, narrated by Ralph Cosham
I know all the norminees are as delighted as I am. I'm especially pleased, of course, for Mr. Cosham. Well done!
And - great personal news - the laptop is working again. A lovely reader wrote with some suggestions, and one was about the keyboard template. Well I pressed a bunch of buttons - turned the thing off overnight - looked at new laptops from DELL - then re-booted...and the keyboard worked again.
Off to continue the book on my favorite (very old) laptop by the fire.
How lucky am I?
The next book calls. Speak soon.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Iche bin adeen haladeelnik
stormy, rain, freezing rain then snow. Wind warning (no, nothing to do with the Montreal apartment)
Well, this was going to be a quiet day. I was longing for a couple of quiet days before beginning to write the next book. That starts Friday. But time slipped away. Went to Vermont for gas and picked up two video's - Extras and Ab Fab - and then had to declare them at the border. My mind is so warped - after being caught smuggling I know I'm in the system, but I still find myself thinking, 'Now, they'll never know. Just put it in your purse. What harm could it do.'
Now there are famous last words. 'What harm could it do?'
By the time I was across the border (DVD's declared) the heavy rain was turning to sleet, and then snow. I could see on my dashboard the temperature dropping by degrees as I drove north, until finally it was almost white-out. Wasn't worried. I know the road so well and Sutton wasn't far. But still, quite dramatic.
Bought food, returned home and made chili con carne. Opened mail, and there was the German publishers spring brochure. Right there, taking up an amazing three full pages, was their spread for A FATAL GRACE/DEAD COLD. Which, of course, now has another name. UND DIE FURCHT GEBIERT DEN ZORN. I don't speak German, but wasn't Zorn a character in an original Star Trek episode? Hope they haven't renamed Gamache 'Zorn'.
The only German I speak I learned in school. All I remember is: Iche bin Frau Seichs. Which isn't as useful as you might imagine. But perhaps slightly more useful than the only Russian I can remember: adeen haladeelnik (sp?) which means - one refrigerator.
But I must say I'm BEYOND thrilled with the German publishers going all out to promote the second book. Adds in all major newspapers and magazines - they've drawn a map of Three Pines and put together a very moody presentation. Fabulous. The publisher is Limes. Impressive.
And more good news about the second book - this time known as A FATAL GRACE. The American audio book has been shortlisted for the prestigious Audie Award, sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association and Audio File Magazine. It's really a great acknowledgement of the skill of the narrator, Ralph Cosham. Congratulations, Ralph.
Take care, and I'll try to write soon.
Well, this was going to be a quiet day. I was longing for a couple of quiet days before beginning to write the next book. That starts Friday. But time slipped away. Went to Vermont for gas and picked up two video's - Extras and Ab Fab - and then had to declare them at the border. My mind is so warped - after being caught smuggling I know I'm in the system, but I still find myself thinking, 'Now, they'll never know. Just put it in your purse. What harm could it do.'
Now there are famous last words. 'What harm could it do?'
By the time I was across the border (DVD's declared) the heavy rain was turning to sleet, and then snow. I could see on my dashboard the temperature dropping by degrees as I drove north, until finally it was almost white-out. Wasn't worried. I know the road so well and Sutton wasn't far. But still, quite dramatic.
Bought food, returned home and made chili con carne. Opened mail, and there was the German publishers spring brochure. Right there, taking up an amazing three full pages, was their spread for A FATAL GRACE/DEAD COLD. Which, of course, now has another name. UND DIE FURCHT GEBIERT DEN ZORN. I don't speak German, but wasn't Zorn a character in an original Star Trek episode? Hope they haven't renamed Gamache 'Zorn'.
The only German I speak I learned in school. All I remember is: Iche bin Frau Seichs. Which isn't as useful as you might imagine. But perhaps slightly more useful than the only Russian I can remember: adeen haladeelnik (sp?) which means - one refrigerator.
But I must say I'm BEYOND thrilled with the German publishers going all out to promote the second book. Adds in all major newspapers and magazines - they've drawn a map of Three Pines and put together a very moody presentation. Fabulous. The publisher is Limes. Impressive.
And more good news about the second book - this time known as A FATAL GRACE. The American audio book has been shortlisted for the prestigious Audie Award, sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association and Audio File Magazine. It's really a great acknowledgement of the skill of the narrator, Ralph Cosham. Congratulations, Ralph.
Take care, and I'll try to write soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)