Author: Jacqueline Patricks
Narrator: Skyler Morgan
Length: 12 hours 35 minutes
Publisher: Crazy Bird Publishing⎮2021
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: The Brajj, Book 1
Release date: Feb. 19, 2021
A Wormhole to Another World
A Team of Scientists and Soldiers
Unimaginable Evil, Unexpected Mysteries, Unending Destiny
An Epic Adventure Across Time and Space
Listen to the science fiction trilogy from the nominee for Top Female Author of 2017 by The Author Show. Awarded the IndiePENdent’s Seal of Good Writing, Dreams of the Queen is the first book in The Brajj Trilogy, a multi-genre, sci-fi thriller.
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Dr. Cass Baros is haunted by dreams of an alien world and will do anything to find it.
Relentlessly, she works her science team and her fiancé, Dr. Julian Saunders. Captain Lewis’ military Spec Op team joins the scientists. Egos clash and agendas cross. Trapped, the team is plunged into a dangerous adventure beyond their control. They struggle to unravel millennia old secrets in an alien world where nothing is what it seems, especially the aliens.
Dr. Baros and her team are tossed between allies and enemies, genius and madness, and a betrayal frightening enough to cause the destruction of worlds.
A Team of Scientists and Soldiers
Unimaginable Evil, Unexpected Mysteries, Unending Destiny
An Epic Adventure Across Time and Space
Listen to the science fiction trilogy from the nominee for Top Female Author of 2017 by The Author Show. Awarded the IndiePENdent’s Seal of Good Writing, Dreams of the Queen is the first book in The Brajj Trilogy, a multi-genre, sci-fi thriller.
____________________________________________________________
Dr. Cass Baros is haunted by dreams of an alien world and will do anything to find it.
Relentlessly, she works her science team and her fiancé, Dr. Julian Saunders. Captain Lewis’ military Spec Op team joins the scientists. Egos clash and agendas cross. Trapped, the team is plunged into a dangerous adventure beyond their control. They struggle to unravel millennia old secrets in an alien world where nothing is what it seems, especially the aliens.
Dr. Baros and her team are tossed between allies and enemies, genius and madness, and a betrayal frightening enough to cause the destruction of worlds.
Buy Here...
Meet the Author
Nominated by The Author Show as Top Female Author 2017, a staff writer for Art Houston magazine, a PAN member of the Romance Writers Association, a volunteer with Houston’s Writespace, and a winner of the Seal of Good Writing from the IndiePENdents for her first published novel, Dreams of the Queen, Jacqueline Patricks’ passion for writing began early in life. Before she published, however, Jacqueline traveled a winding path through the U.S. Army, college, over twenty years in 911 as a paramedic, professional teaching, and all the exciting adventures in between. She currently resides with her husband and four parrots and hopes to meet Mark Twain someday since he understands parrot people.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram
Author Interview
1. Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?
I believe all types of writing can be translated into audiobook format, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. The trick is how well it’s written and how well the narrator is able to bring those
words to life.
2. Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
I knew I wanted to have all my novels translated into audiobooks at some point. I didn’t think of it so much while I wrote them, as the story evolves beyond me sometimes. However, I’ve always wanted my work to reach readers in any format available.
3. How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process?
Skyler is a great partner in this process. We text and talk prior to starting the narration to get an idea of what we both want. Then I create character sketches and a plot summary with the overarching feel I’m working to achieve so he knows what tone to strike for the story and each character. Skyler Is an efficient narrator, able to different voices, male and female. He works quickly, uploads the chapters and we communicate throughout the process to make sure we stay on track. I review the chapters, upload metadata and cover art, give it the go ahead then it’s finalized online. We split the Royalties so we both work to market. It motivates us both to
create success for the audiobooks.
4. Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
Absolutely! Since I write Sci Fi, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction this is a necessity. In order for Skyler bring his full talents to the project, pronunciation tips and insights are necessary.
5. Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?
There’s a particularly violent scene between two characters where one character ends up dead. Originally, when I planned this scene there wasn’t supposed to be a death, however, as I wrote it the violent character pushed the scene farther than I anticipated. This shocked and appalled me and I initially thought I could not keep this scene in the book. Even in written form it had given me chills and upset me as writer. I almost removed it. Then I considered the violent character’s entire arc and the other disturbing scenes to follow and realized I had to leave it. I had to show this character’s transition, had to make sure the reader experienced it for the character to be believable. I’ve since received both negative reviews and high praise for this. As an artist, I firmly believe art must be impactful to be successful. This scene, as impactful as it is in writing is even more so in audio format, therefore, I consider it successful.
6. What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
I say readers should be free to enjoy reading in whichever style works best for them. Sometimes it’s for convenience or it makes it easier to become part of the authors’ world and characters. Reading is about enjoying the process. Whether it’s for information or escapism, a reader should find the process pleasant.
7. What gets you out of a writing slump? What about a reading slump?
I have my periods when I get very little writing completed. When I’m in a strong creative period I can write approx. 2000 words a day. Unfortunately, I work full-time and the last few years it’s taken a lot of my energy and this year I’ve gotten back to my writing. Getting out of the slump means getting even a little bit of writing in every day. Even if that means a dozen words. It’s about the habit, building the habit and keeping the habit. Same with reading, get some time in every day, even if it’s a paragraph. Don’t lose the habit.
8. Have any of your characters ever appeared in your dreams?
The first book, Dreams of the Queen, is based on a dream in 2011. That’s part of the reason for the title. I published the ebook and paperback in 2012 after writing the entire first book
in about three months. The next two books expanded the world and characters I’d created and brought everything full circle.
9. What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Don’t give up. Keep learning, keep growing. The first million words are the hardest as it takes time to find/create your author voice. Trust yourself. You know what you want to write. Your audience will find you.
10. What’s next for you?
I’m finally working on my second trilogy again. I’ve been wanting to finish my fantasy trilogy, The Verge. The first book, Fairytale Apocalypse, was published a while back in ebook, paperback and audiobook formats. I’m currently finishing the second book, Wretched Halo, and plan on starting the third book, Glorious Carnage, in 2022. Those will both be released in all three formats as well.
I believe all types of writing can be translated into audiobook format, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. The trick is how well it’s written and how well the narrator is able to bring those
words to life.
2. Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
I knew I wanted to have all my novels translated into audiobooks at some point. I didn’t think of it so much while I wrote them, as the story evolves beyond me sometimes. However, I’ve always wanted my work to reach readers in any format available.
3. How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process?
Skyler is a great partner in this process. We text and talk prior to starting the narration to get an idea of what we both want. Then I create character sketches and a plot summary with the overarching feel I’m working to achieve so he knows what tone to strike for the story and each character. Skyler Is an efficient narrator, able to different voices, male and female. He works quickly, uploads the chapters and we communicate throughout the process to make sure we stay on track. I review the chapters, upload metadata and cover art, give it the go ahead then it’s finalized online. We split the Royalties so we both work to market. It motivates us both to
create success for the audiobooks.
4. Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
Absolutely! Since I write Sci Fi, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction this is a necessity. In order for Skyler bring his full talents to the project, pronunciation tips and insights are necessary.
5. Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?
There’s a particularly violent scene between two characters where one character ends up dead. Originally, when I planned this scene there wasn’t supposed to be a death, however, as I wrote it the violent character pushed the scene farther than I anticipated. This shocked and appalled me and I initially thought I could not keep this scene in the book. Even in written form it had given me chills and upset me as writer. I almost removed it. Then I considered the violent character’s entire arc and the other disturbing scenes to follow and realized I had to leave it. I had to show this character’s transition, had to make sure the reader experienced it for the character to be believable. I’ve since received both negative reviews and high praise for this. As an artist, I firmly believe art must be impactful to be successful. This scene, as impactful as it is in writing is even more so in audio format, therefore, I consider it successful.
6. What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
I say readers should be free to enjoy reading in whichever style works best for them. Sometimes it’s for convenience or it makes it easier to become part of the authors’ world and characters. Reading is about enjoying the process. Whether it’s for information or escapism, a reader should find the process pleasant.
7. What gets you out of a writing slump? What about a reading slump?
I have my periods when I get very little writing completed. When I’m in a strong creative period I can write approx. 2000 words a day. Unfortunately, I work full-time and the last few years it’s taken a lot of my energy and this year I’ve gotten back to my writing. Getting out of the slump means getting even a little bit of writing in every day. Even if that means a dozen words. It’s about the habit, building the habit and keeping the habit. Same with reading, get some time in every day, even if it’s a paragraph. Don’t lose the habit.
8. Have any of your characters ever appeared in your dreams?
The first book, Dreams of the Queen, is based on a dream in 2011. That’s part of the reason for the title. I published the ebook and paperback in 2012 after writing the entire first book
in about three months. The next two books expanded the world and characters I’d created and brought everything full circle.
9. What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Don’t give up. Keep learning, keep growing. The first million words are the hardest as it takes time to find/create your author voice. Trust yourself. You know what you want to write. Your audience will find you.
10. What’s next for you?
I’m finally working on my second trilogy again. I’ve been wanting to finish my fantasy trilogy, The Verge. The first book, Fairytale Apocalypse, was published a while back in ebook, paperback and audiobook formats. I’m currently finishing the second book, Wretched Halo, and plan on starting the third book, Glorious Carnage, in 2022. Those will both be released in all three formats as well.
Meet the Narrator
Skyler Morgan is an audiobook Narrator with over 170 titles under his belt. He previously was a paramedic for 7 years in Montana prior to becoming a narrator. He has been creating and voicing audiobooks for six years.. He currently has built a mobile studio and is traveling the country while recording.
Website⎮Instagram
Website⎮Instagram
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