Audio Short Story: Stafford’s Hands by Bosley Gravel

We’re almost set-up. We’ve almost got the system up and running, the technical glitches ironed out. Now for some sound checks, some test recording, and… .

So what’s that got to do with fiction at The Deepening? Everything. Cuz I wanna do short stories in audio format.

There are a lot of people who don’t know what they’re missing by not reading a short story or a novel. They don’t realize the magic that happens inside you. And, while it isn’t quite the same when you hear the story verses READ the story, it’s ALMOST as deep an escape experience–almost.

So, I’m going to do audio short stories by authors who offer me the rights to do that. I’ve got the permissions necessary for stories by Aeros and by E J Ruek, so I’ll start there as soon as we finish the sound and system tests. In time, I might think about doing novellas, novelettes, and even novels, but not quite yet. It’s an arduous process to do anything longer than short. So, any other takers out there? If so, do contact me and give me license to record an audio version of your story.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME AND YOU
Getting folks interested in reading fiction–short stories and novels. That’s the ultimate reward for doing this. More personally for you, it allows your work to become more familiar and recognizable. And folks who like the story? They might look up more of your work. They could buy your novel. They could request more stories by you. That’s good for you, the author.

For The Deepening, it allows us to offer unique content for free on a temporary basis (one week free). Then that content enters a pool that becomes available for purchase by a yearly subscription that allows the listener to purchase the right to hear any and all audio files.

THE VOICE
Now, I am a woman, so your story will be read with a woman’s voice, just be forewarned. If that’s not suitable, then, well, we can modulate the voice to a neutral hermorphadite, but can’t quite get it down to “male.” It’s just like when we modulate a male voice up. It never comes quite “female,” but more “asexual.” Sorry. If you really need a male voice, then you’ll have to find somebody else to do it, then post the audio yourself where you will, here or somewhere else.

RIGHTS AND LICENSE
How about the resulting recording? Well, if you give me license to record and distribute your story, then I’ll post an audio version of that story here on The Deepening for our visitors’ listening pleasure. I’ll also release the recording (give you license) to distribute the file, in return.

But do you own the rights to the audio file? No. I do. It’s your story, but it’s my recorded version of that story. You’ve licensed me to record and distribute your story, and I, in turn, license you to distribute the resulting product, the audio recording–even trade.

Don’t forget the acceptance checkbox!

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