Creating the Audiobook of Will You Catch Me?

By Jane Elson and Emma Noakes.

Jane:

I am the author Jane, and I will start off this narrative.

Nell, from my COA book Will You Catch Me? is described by our CEO Hilary Henriques as Nacoa’s Angel.

I was really thrilled when my agent told me that Howes wanted to record an audiobook of Will you Catch Me?

Reaching children of alcohol-dependent parents through fiction

Some children don’t like to read a book, they feel overwhelmed. Maybe because of dyslexia, or maybe they just don’t like reading.

So an audiobook is the perfect solution to reach more children who may have alcohol-dependent parents? Will You Catch Me? has our Nacoa Helpline number in the back 0800-358-3456.

A collaborative experience

Usually, the recording of an audio book, unless the author is recording it themselves, is not a collaborative experience. The author often doesn’t even know when it’s being recorded, or even where, and after approving the actor via a voice sample, knows nothing about it until they get the finished audio book in their hand.

However, working with Emma, my Nell, broke the mould!

This story starts back in 2015 when I was sent voice samples to try and find my Sasha for my audio book of How to Fly with Broken Wings.

Will you Catch Me? is not a sequel to How to Fly but you do meet some of the same characters who go on in Will You Catch Me? to support Nell in her difficulties with an alcohol dependent mum.  Nell actually makes a guest appearance in How to Fly with Broken Wings, peeping through the window.

Extraordinary coincidences

I got sent a lot of voice samples, but nothing was right. I kept trying to explain exactly what I wanted. Howes were very understanding and, in the end, sent me one more sample to try. Emma’s. I pressed play and my spine literally tingled. This was my Sasha.

When I received the finished copy. I contacted Emma via social media to thank her for her stunning performance, and this is where it gets really extraordinary. It turns out we went to the same school in Enfield, though years apart.

We had even attended the same after school drama classes, and we both spent our teenage years in the same parks and streets. Hence her emotional scrapbook for her to build the character of Sasha on was the same as mine when I wrote it.

Finding a voice for Nell

Fast forwards to Will you Catch Me? audio. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I wanted Emma to be my Nell. She said yes, and I asked Howes if it would be at all possible for me to watch the recording. I was thrilled when they said yes. It was being recorded at the RNIB studios in Camden. I was so excited and I went there ready to sit in the corner of the recording studio quietly and give the creativity totally over to Emma and the producer Rosie.

I was bowled over when Rosie said that I could direct it. She operated all the sound levels etc and did all the technical stuff and I did the direction, and I loved every minute of it. I’m now going pass this narrative over to Emma.

Emma:

Working with Jane on Will You Catch Me? was such a creatively fulfilling experience. It’s also rare, as authors aren’t often involved in the recording process. 

Narrating Jane’s work feels so natural to me, full of echos and ghosts. When we found out about our shared history suddenly that made sense.

The connection between narrator and listener is so delicate, we are speaking stories into young ears.  The fact that the world of Will You Catch Me? feels like home, means there’s an emotional reality that I hope the listener feels.

Telling stories like these are vital, I hope those listening feel that they aren’t alone.

Find the audiobook for Will You Catch Me? now.