Audiobook now live
Black Bones, Red Earth is now an audiobook and is available to purchase on over forty platforms worldwide. Recording took place at ScoopFX Studios and I was delighted to have the incredible talents of the iconic Australian actress, Sandy Gore, to put the words into vocals. An amazing talent, Sandy was just brilliant in bringing her experience to the project. Reviews have noted that the reading was more of a theatrical performance than a simple narration of the book. Sandy can be seen currently in Far Away Downs, the Netflix adaption of Australia with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. Sandy is a prolific actress and you can read more about her here.
The Inspiration
Work on the audiobook brought back many memories of my Mum. She was the initial inspiration for the novel and I couldn’t help thinking about her childhood as we worked on the recordings. When she was just four years old, Mum and her two sisters were sent to an orphanage in England, a secret she kept from our family until she was in her eighties. She was ashamed, she told us. It’s just heartbreaking to think that an orphaned child should be made to feel guilty and ashamed of circumstances beyond her control. Mum passed away in 2015, aged 96. Read more about Black Bones, Red Earth and the inspiration for the novel here.
The audiobook is now live on Audible, Apple Books, Spotify, Google Play and Amazon among others. It is also available in some libraries.
Critical Reviews
Five star reviews are consistant in their praise for the audiobook production of Black Bones, Red Earth. Award winning author of My Brother’s Keeper, Courtnee Turner Hoyle, calls it “a phenominal story… More like hearing a performance.” While No Nonsense Book and Audiobook Reviews places it in the top eight audiobooks of 2023. More reviews here.
Studio production
Taking control in the studio during recording of Black Bones, Red Earth, was ScoopFX Audio Technician, Stephen Kiely. After getting to know him well over weeks of studio work, Stephen proved to be quite a creative talent in his own right… read more.
Tinged with sadness
Sadly, production of the Black Bones, Red Earth audiobook is tinged with sadness, due to the passing of two wonderful supporters of my work. In early August 2022, good friend Dave Letch died peacefully at home. A talented actor and director of stage and film, Dave was instrumental in turning my novel into an audiobook… read more.
Get it now at the following links!
Lee Richie 