Comments on: Sea chanties http://www.stabenow.com/2004/03/12/sea-chanties The Official Dana Stabenow Web Site Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:00:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.2 By: Dana http://www.stabenow.com/2004/03/12/sea-chanties/comment-page-1#comment-80506 Dana Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:02:25 +0000 http://localhost:8888/stabenow_wp/?p=20#comment-80506 "Gang up?" I'm sorry? I was and am responding to fan commentary and, well, complaints. When I say "outcry" I am not exaggerating, I received numerous emails and postings on this website, as well as questions at personal appearances, about the change of narrator, all of them negative. I myself have never listened to one of my books on tape. I can only attest to Marguerite's consummate professionalism when we work together and her overwhelming popularity with fans of the audio versions of the books. Further, I doubt very much that the fans were complaining about the ability of the second narrator. What they objected to was the change. A narrator brands an audio series with his or her own voice. Jim Dale and the Harry Potter series is a case in point. Can you imagine the riot if Scholastic had ever bumped him for someone else? Fans really didn't like the change of narrators for the Stabenow oeuvre and said so, loudly and repeatedly. I passed that information on to my publisher, and I'm delighted for their sake that Marguerite is back. “Gang up?” I’m sorry?

I was and am responding to fan commentary and, well, complaints. When I say “outcry” I am not exaggerating, I received numerous emails and postings on this website, as well as questions at personal appearances, about the change of narrator, all of them negative.

I myself have never listened to one of my books on tape. I can only attest to Marguerite’s consummate professionalism when we work together and her overwhelming popularity with fans of the audio versions of the books.

Further, I doubt very much that the fans were complaining about the ability of the second narrator. What they objected to was the change. A narrator brands an audio series with his or her own voice. Jim Dale and the Harry Potter series is a case in point. Can you imagine the riot if Scholastic had ever bumped him for someone else?

Fans really didn’t like the change of narrators for the Stabenow oeuvre and said so, loudly and repeatedly. I passed that information on to my publisher, and I’m delighted for their sake that Marguerite is back.

]]> By: Lisa Bernstein http://www.stabenow.com/2004/03/12/sea-chanties/comment-page-1#comment-80503 Lisa Bernstein Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:45:34 +0000 http://localhost:8888/stabenow_wp/?p=20#comment-80503 I wonder if the new narrator had been the original, perhaps there would not be this outcry. In addition, it seems unprofessional and rather childish for the author to essentially gang-up on the new narrator. I have listened to Dunne's work on other books, and have read reviews, which are often glowing. In my mind, I think it would be appropriate for the author to take a more neutral stance publicly. A woman was doing her job to the best of her ability--which, by the way, is quite substantial. Stabenow's not a very good writer. How's that sound? Granted, I have not listened to the series referred to on this page, but, you know, really, a little restraint and maturity is in order, don't you think? I wonder if the new narrator had been the original, perhaps there would not be this outcry.

In addition, it seems unprofessional and rather childish for the author to essentially gang-up on the new narrator.

I have listened to Dunne’s work on other books, and have read reviews, which are often glowing.

In my mind, I think it would be appropriate for the author to take a more neutral stance publicly.

A woman was doing her job to the best of her ability–which, by the way, is quite substantial.

Stabenow’s not a very good writer. How’s that sound?

Granted, I have not listened to the series referred to on this page, but, you know, really, a little restraint and maturity is in order, don’t you think?

]]> By: Dana http://www.stabenow.com/2004/03/12/sea-chanties/comment-page-1#comment-48231 Dana Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:27:42 +0000 http://localhost:8888/stabenow_wp/?p=20#comment-48231 Ana, I'm not kidding. I have absolutely no say in who does the narration. There has been so much positive fan feedback about Marguerite Gavin and so much negative feedback about her replacement that I have complained through my agent and my editor, to no result. Ana, I’m not kidding. I have absolutely no say in who does the narration. There has been so much positive fan feedback about Marguerite Gavin and so much negative feedback about her replacement that I have complained through my agent and my editor, to no result.

]]> By: anavdelgado http://www.stabenow.com/2004/03/12/sea-chanties/comment-page-1#comment-48199 anavdelgado Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:57:11 +0000 http://localhost:8888/stabenow_wp/?p=20#comment-48199 Ms Stabenow you write with such clear conviction and stength yet your respond, "Had anyone consulted me on the change, I would have argued most strenuously against it." seems more then lacking. on the replacement of Ms Gavin. We your public and band of loyal readers look to you for guidance and leadership. So i ask you what can be done to get Ms Gavin back reading for the audio Kate Shugak books thank you ana Ms Stabenow you write with such clear conviction and stength yet your respond, “Had anyone consulted me on the change, I would have argued most strenuously against it.” seems more then lacking. on the replacement of Ms Gavin. We your public and band of loyal readers look to you for guidance and leadership. So i ask you what can be done to get Ms Gavin back reading for the audio Kate Shugak books thank you ana

]]> By: Dana http://www.stabenow.com/2004/03/12/sea-chanties/comment-page-1#comment-2534 Dana Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:45:09 +0000 http://localhost:8888/stabenow_wp/?p=20#comment-2534 I am so right there with you, Amy, and you are not alone. I have received many, many comments on how displeased fans are with the new narrator. Marguerite made Kate's voice her own and made the world of the Park and everyone who lives there come to life in a way you always hope narrators will. She is also a joy to work with, personable, professional and very conscientious. Had anyone consulted me on the change, I would have argued most strenuously against it. I am so right there with you, Amy, and you are not alone. I have received many, many comments on how displeased fans are with the new narrator.

Marguerite made Kate’s voice her own and made the world of the Park and everyone who lives there come to life in a way you always hope narrators will. She is also a joy to work with, personable, professional and very conscientious. Had anyone consulted me on the change, I would have argued most strenuously against it.

]]> By: Amy Karatz http://www.stabenow.com/2004/03/12/sea-chanties/comment-page-1#comment-2529 Amy Karatz Sat, 24 Feb 2007 17:29:59 +0000 http://localhost:8888/stabenow_wp/?p=20#comment-2529 Dear Ms. Stabenow, Here is the comment I just sent to Books on Tape. Your Kate Shugak series has been one of my favorites. I'm not sure why, but Kate and surrounding characters touch me in a way other book's characters don't. When listening, rather than reading, much of the responsibilty of an author's skills rests on the shoulders of the narrator. Ms. Gavin was spectacular. Bernadette Dunne can read, but she has none of the expressive character of Ms. Gavin. More importantly, she doesn't give Kate any characteristics that the listener expects. It doesn't matter who reads your stand-alone books, but for the Kate series, please bring back Marguerite Gavin. Thank you, Amy Karatz (comments to BOT: I am a great fan of Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak series. Imagine my delight to see her newest on the shelves at the library, only to discover that Kate, as I knew her, wasn't in the book! You have switched narrators after 14 fabulous readings by Marguerite Gavin. Why in the world would you do that? Not only is it disruptive and unnerving to listen to a character become someone different, but the narrator you chose to use, Bernadette Dunne, is your most melodramatic reader--completely unsuited to the circumspect Kate Shugak. Where's the hoarsness in her voice? Where's the difference in the character's voices? You have ruined the series for me.) Dear Ms. Stabenow, Here is the comment I just sent to Books on Tape. Your Kate Shugak series has been one of my favorites. I’m not sure why, but Kate and surrounding characters touch me in a way other book’s characters don’t. When listening, rather than reading, much of the responsibilty of an author’s skills rests on the shoulders of the narrator. Ms. Gavin was spectacular. Bernadette Dunne can read, but she has none of the expressive character of Ms. Gavin. More importantly, she doesn’t give Kate any characteristics that the listener expects. It doesn’t matter who reads your stand-alone books, but for the Kate series, please bring back Marguerite Gavin. Thank you, Amy Karatz (comments to BOT: I am a great fan of Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak series. Imagine my delight to see her newest on the shelves at the library, only to discover that Kate, as I knew her, wasn’t in the book! You have switched narrators after 14 fabulous readings by Marguerite Gavin. Why in the world would you do that? Not only is it disruptive and unnerving to listen to a character become someone different, but the narrator you chose to use, Bernadette Dunne, is your most melodramatic reader–completely unsuited to the circumspect Kate Shugak. Where’s the hoarsness in her voice? Where’s the difference in the character’s voices? You have ruined the series for me.)

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