From: Elsa Marston <elsa.marston>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:14:39 -0500

I've been following this discussion about the Odyssey award and audiobooks in general, with much interest but mixed feelings. First,I feel somewhat out in the cold, because I never, ever listen to audiobooks. My life just doesn't work that way; When I have moments for listening I prefer music, NPR, or silence. Yes, I should try!

The other part of the mixed feelings is that I've begun thinking about making a DVD of one of my own books, *Santa Claus in Baghdad and Other Stories about Teens in the Arab World. *Why? Because I like to read aloud, I'm told I have a pleasant voice (and I enunciate to the point where it's almost ridiculous), and because I want to get more attention for those stories, especially in education. The stories are not horrific, but are intended to suggest bridges of understanding and empathy between young Americans (middle school to adult) and their counterparts in the Middle East. (The book is selling well, and the film made from the "Santa Claus" story is well received; but it's taking continuous promotional efforts on my part.)

Does this sound like an idea worth pursuing? If someone has views on the place of an audiobook like this, in school and other places where people listen to them (like car trips), I'd be very pleased to hear from you, and can describe the book in more detail. I'd also welcome any suggestions as to how to publicize, promote, get reviews, etc, once I have the DVD in hand. At this point I'm virtually clueless.

Thank you for your attention to this request. Elsa www.elsamarston.com elsa.marston at gmail.com
Received on Wed 15 Apr 2009 01:14:39 PM CDT