Contest Results and An Interview with Author R. Barri Flowers

Meet best selling author R. Barri Flowers.

But first I want to announce the winners of the audiobook downloads of That Ghoul Ava and The Queen of the Zombies by TW Brown. Congratulations and Enjoy!

Chrizette Bayman
Edward A Taylor

R. Barri Flowers is the bestselling author of teen novels, COUNT DRACULA'S TEENAGE DAUGHTER, TEEN GHOST AT DEAD LAKE, GHOST GIRL IN SHADOW BAY, DANGER IN TIME, and CHRISTMAS WISHES: Laura's Story. His novels can be found in print, eBook, and audio.

The author has also written a number of bestselling teen and young adult related nonfiction books as well, including RUNAWAY KIDS AND TEENAGE PROSTITUTION, KIDS WHO COMMIT ADULT CRIMES, and CHILDREN AND CRIMINALITY.

I had the privilege of producing and narrating the audiobook version of Teen Ghost at Dead Lake, newly released on audible.com, iTunes, and Amazon.com.

From the Publisher:

When sixteen-year-old Paige Preston and her mother relocated to Dead Lake, Michigan, they were unaware that a seventeen-year-old previous resident of their house had killed himself by jumping off a cliff into the lake six months earlier. But was it really suicide? Noah Snyder is a ghost. At least he thinks so. Only he's not sure how he died. He recruits the cute Paige to help him get to the bottom of the mystery so he can move on. Before he died, Noah was the captain of the boys swim team and popular at Dead Lake High School. He had also suffered from depression after losing his father when Noah was just a boy. Paige, who had initially believed she was dealing with an imposter Noah, is stunned to find out that he is a real ghost and that there were more than a few people who may have wanted him dead. Being attracted to a cute teen ghost is no small feat as Paige tries to adjust to life in a new town and help unravel the mystery of his death. In the process, she soon finds herself in danger, as someone wants to keep a deadly secret at all costs...

Have a listen:

Sneaking up on a narrator in the booth is funny!

And because I have a rascally dog that likes to hang out in the studio sometimes.

6 Questions for R. Barri Flowers:

1.  Tell us about your process from having an idea for a book, to writing it, and finally letting someone read it?

Great question! Well, when an idea pops into my head, I usually discuss it with my wife and the pros and cons of proceeding forward with.

Once I decide to write the novel, I then work on developing a full blown plot and creating three dimensional characters. Then comes an outline on the story, subplots, scenes, conflict, and a satisfying conclusion.

I then simply follow through and work steadily till wrapping up project.

Beyond the print and eBook versions, it has become increasingly important to me to have all my books in audio as well, given the greater interest these days in audio fiction with readers using their iPods, tablets, cell phones, and computers to listen to books instead of on CD.

Finding the perfect narrator simply comes down to the audition process and connecting with someone who has the right voice, style, and enthusiasm for the job; while possessing the professionalism to do the job in an efficient manner that meets quality standards for an audio book.

2.  Tell us about an entity that supported your writing outside of family members.

My writing ambitions have long been supported by friends and colleagues. I would say that the support of my professors when in college was the key to my development as a successful writer. They fully encouraged me to follow my dreams and learn from any mistakes along the way.

3. What was the biggest surprise to you when you first heard your work professionally narrated?

Another great question. Perhaps the biggest surprise was being able to put myself in the shoes of a listener instead of the author in being able to totally enjoy the presentation. Indeed, it was such fun for me and my wife as big fans of audio fiction to listen to my own creation. It was like an “audio movie,” using my mind’s eye to visualize the narrated book.

4. Do you think about how your work will sound in audiobook form while you're writing?

Actually, I do. With more than 40 titles in audio, I do tend to imagine the book being narrated as I write it. In many instances, I will envision the words in audio of particular scenes or characters.

5. If you didn't have to worry about licensing rights and you could choose one piece of music as a soundtrack for this book, what would it be? 

That is an interesting question. Hmm... I think it would be great if the soundtrack or transitional music for TEEN GHOST AT DEAD LAKE was Robert Cobert’s music score for the Dark Shadows TV series, a gothic soap opera that was one of my favorite shows.

6. What are you working on now?

I am now wrapping up the sequel to my bestselling young adult vampire novel, COUNT DRACULA’S TEENAGE DAUGHTER, entitled, OUT FOR BLOOD. I am excited about this second book in my Transylvanica High Series that should really please my young adult readers.

I am also looking forward to having the audio version of OUT FOR BLOOD assigned, completed, and put on sale.

Thanks to R. Barri Flowers for stopping by Audiobooks by Pamela!

Follow R. Barri Flowers on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube, LibraryThing, and www.rbarriflowers.com. And learn more about the author in Wikipedia.