Audio book pubisher Audible.com‘s science fiction and fantasy imprint, Frontiers, features a Guest Editor each month, along with “Orson Scott Card Selects” and new audio titles. Non-subscribers can also get a free download from Audible at www.audible.com/scifi.
For June, the guest editor is Kevin J. Anderson. His editorial, “From My Ear to the Keyboard”, reminds readers that the very first story were audio tales, told by creator to audience. The invention of printed books is only a relatively new thing. He also discusses his enjoyment of both (although, he rightfully notes, some convoluted, heavy books such as Crime and Punishment may not be nearly as “readable” in an audio format). Anderson also teases the reader (well, this reader) by describing his working environment for this very essay: hiking in Canyonlands National Park while speaking his work into a tape recorder (his preferred method of writing).
Anderson’s audio book selections include Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, the original Dune novels by Frank Herbert (Anderson is Herbert’s son Brian have picked up the series since Frank’s death), a couple of titles by Dean Koontz, and a couple of Orson Scott Card’s.
Card’s big selection for the month is The Big Time by Fritz Leiber (Card discusses the book’s philosophy and anti-authoritarian accents in an accompanying audio file). Last month’s selection, Star Born by Andre Norton, also has a Card commentary on the book.
Finally, their new exclusive productions include Nebula-winner Seeker by Jack McDevitt; Hugo-winner This Immortal by Roger Zelazny; Recovery Man, the latest “Retrieval Artist” book by Kristine Kathryn Rusch; and Simon R. Green’s “Eddie Drood” series.