Ask the Author: Bruce Beckham
Answered Questions (41)
Bruce Beckham
Hi Nancy, thanks for taking the time to contact me and I'm sorry you did not enjoy the AI narration - you have highlighted something of a Catch22 situation. My publishers of audio books have been thrown into a quandary by the advent of AI. I understand it costs them something like $5,000 per audiobook to produce a single title with human narration by a professional actor. While I have been waiting for a decision on future books, Amazon have independently invited me to be included in their Virtual Voice program, in which they bear the costs. While the standard is not comparable, I have had many requests from readers/listeners who prefer audio accessibility, and I decided to go ahead with the AI option in the meantime. To reflect the quality, I have set the price at the lowest possible level allowed by Amazon. (For information, Books 8, 9 & 10 have human narration, by Emmerdale/Coronation Street actor, Nicholas Camm.). Kind regards, Bruce
Bruce Beckham
Thank you for your very generous feedback! I'm so happy to hear that the Skelgill books can provide something more than just a whodunit - and it certainly is one of the most enjoyable aspects for me, to be wandering around the Lake District like William Wordsworth in search of inspiration (ahem, well - perhaps not quite like William Wordsworth).
And, yes, the TV/film suggestion keeps cropping up (there has been some interest, but nothing sufficiently concrete to have me counting any chickens) - but I'm always at a loss when I'm asked who should play whom. Maybe there is an unsung Cumbrian duo just waiting to step into Skelgill and Jones's shoes!
And, yes, the TV/film suggestion keeps cropping up (there has been some interest, but nothing sufficiently concrete to have me counting any chickens) - but I'm always at a loss when I'm asked who should play whom. Maybe there is an unsung Cumbrian duo just waiting to step into Skelgill and Jones's shoes!
Bruce Beckham
Thanks for your kind feedback - and for what is a timely question. While my traditional audiobook publisher has been keeping me in suspense, Amazon has just invited me to join the beta test programme 'AVV' (Audible Virtual Voice). This is automatic narration by AI (artificial intelligence).
It is nothing like the quality of human narration (and cannot begin to approach the Cumbrian and Cockney accents!) but it does at least offer a listening alternative without the prohibitive production cost.
Book 3, Murder on the Edge, is already available, and the missing books in the series should begin to appear over the next few weeks. To reflect the difference in quality of experience, I have set the price at the minimum allowed by Amazon. I would be very interested to hear any feedback on this new format. Thank you.
It is nothing like the quality of human narration (and cannot begin to approach the Cumbrian and Cockney accents!) but it does at least offer a listening alternative without the prohibitive production cost.
Book 3, Murder on the Edge, is already available, and the missing books in the series should begin to appear over the next few weeks. To reflect the difference in quality of experience, I have set the price at the minimum allowed by Amazon. I would be very interested to hear any feedback on this new format. Thank you.
Bruce Beckham
Hi Pam, firstly thank you for your support in reading the DI Skelgill series. I am afraid, however, that the books are exclusive to Amazon, which is a requirement in order to be available via Kindle Unlimited.
One of my books is usually offered as a free Kindle download via my (also free) monthly email newsletter; the next one goes out on 28 February and features #8, 'Murder in the Woods', which is free for 5 days. (The sign-up link is at the top of my Goodreads author page, where it says 'website' - although I appreciate this means using Amazon.)
One of my books is usually offered as a free Kindle download via my (also free) monthly email newsletter; the next one goes out on 28 February and features #8, 'Murder in the Woods', which is free for 5 days. (The sign-up link is at the top of my Goodreads author page, where it says 'website' - although I appreciate this means using Amazon.)
Bruce Beckham
Hi Pam, firstly thank you for your support in reading the DI Skelgill series. I am afraid, however, that the books are exclusive to Amazon, which is a requirement in order to be available via Kindle Unlimited.
One of my books is usually offered as a free Kindle download via my (also free) monthly email newsletter; the next one goes out on 28 February and features #8, 'Murder in the Woods', which is free for 5 days. (The sign-up link is at the top of my Goodreads author page, where it says 'website' - although I appreciate this means using Amazon.)
One of my books is usually offered as a free Kindle download via my (also free) monthly email newsletter; the next one goes out on 28 February and features #8, 'Murder in the Woods', which is free for 5 days. (The sign-up link is at the top of my Goodreads author page, where it says 'website' - although I appreciate this means using Amazon.)
Bruce Beckham
Hi Pam, firstly thank you for your support in reading the DI Skelgill series. I am afraid, however, that the books are exclusive to Amazon, which is a requirement in order to be available via Kindle Unlimited.
One of my books is usually offered as a free Kindle download via my (also free) monthly email newsletter; the next one goes out on 28 February and features #8, 'Murder in the Woods', which is free for 5 days. (The sign-up link is at the top of my Goodreads author page, where it says 'website' - although I appreciate this means using Amazon.)
One of my books is usually offered as a free Kindle download via my (also free) monthly email newsletter; the next one goes out on 28 February and features #8, 'Murder in the Woods', which is free for 5 days. (The sign-up link is at the top of my Goodreads author page, where it says 'website' - although I appreciate this means using Amazon.)
Bruce Beckham
Hi Pam, firstly thank you for your support in reading the DI Skelgill series. I am afraid, however, that the books are exclusive to Amazon, which is a requirement in order to be available via Kindle Unlimited.
One of my books is usually offered as a free Kindle download via my (also free) monthly email newsletter; the next one goes out on 28 February and features #8, 'Murder in the Woods', which is free for 5 days. (The sign-up link is at the top of my Goodreads author page, where it says 'website' - although I appreciate this means using Amazon.)
One of my books is usually offered as a free Kindle download via my (also free) monthly email newsletter; the next one goes out on 28 February and features #8, 'Murder in the Woods', which is free for 5 days. (The sign-up link is at the top of my Goodreads author page, where it says 'website' - although I appreciate this means using Amazon.)
Bruce Beckham
Hi Jean, thanks for your question - much appreciated. I think yes, is the short answer - all those fells burn up the calories! (And I have noticed that DS Jones seems to be holding her own in the more recent books.)
Cumbria has a phenomenal reputation for food, ranging from traditional rustic fare, through a strong colonial influence stemming from the time of the Triangular Trade (especially in baking; spices, rum, cane sugar etc) to a modern haut cuisine and a small galaxy of Michelin stars (less approved of by Skelgill).
In case you are interested, I publish a local Lakeland recipe each month in my free newsletter, which can be found at this link: https://mailchi.mp/acd032704a3f/newsl...
Cumbria has a phenomenal reputation for food, ranging from traditional rustic fare, through a strong colonial influence stemming from the time of the Triangular Trade (especially in baking; spices, rum, cane sugar etc) to a modern haut cuisine and a small galaxy of Michelin stars (less approved of by Skelgill).
In case you are interested, I publish a local Lakeland recipe each month in my free newsletter, which can be found at this link: https://mailchi.mp/acd032704a3f/newsl...
Bruce Beckham
Yes - if they roughed him up a bit, I'm sure he could do a good job. Whenever I'm asked this question it makes me realise what a shadowy character Skelgill is, even to me! Thanks for the suggestion. Bruce.
Bruce Beckham
Most certainly! I have a battered and soot-stained 30-year-old model - and still use it. It was especially popular when the kids were younger - a bonfire and instant noodles to boot!
Bruce Beckham
Hi Nikia – thank you, for your question – and not least for choosing and getting to the end of the book. If I recall correctly there is a reference in the front matter, that Murder on the Bridge is the 20th in the DI Skelgill series – so in part the ‘anniversary’ stems from this milestone being reached. If you are able to compare, you might notice the similarity in the words of the opening chapter and those of book 1, Murder in Adland. In due course DS Jones alludes to the bankside breakfast that recalls her first meeting with Skelgill, all those adventures ago. Later this plays out in the scene that you mention, which appears to include both Skelgill and DS Leyton as co-conspirators. I suspect the anniversary means more than is revealed by those present, but I am still waiting to find this out!
Bruce Beckham
Sounds appealing - I visited friends in New Orleans a couple of years ago and saw some great birds, even in the city parks. Yes - no plans to retire Skelgill!
Bruce Beckham
I have been fascinated by wildlife since a very young age and came quite close to becoming a professional ornithologist (I studied zoology as an undergraduate, and wardened on a bird reserve). Somehow ended up in advertising, and now writing full time, but still birdwatch every day. Here is a link to a blog I produce in my capacity as a voluntary wildlife officer for a local nature reserve https://chilloutdoors.tumblr.com
Thanks for your interest/appreciation.
Thanks for your interest/appreciation.
Bruce Beckham
Hi Leanne - you are quite right (and thank you, by the way). There is probably a literary term for this form of character time travel - it might be something like 'the eternal present'. As a big fan of of Agatha Christie I was influenced by her regret that she allowed Poirot to age; it has been calculated that he was over 140 by the time of the last novel! And Ian Rankin was obliged to retire Rebus and bring him back in some improbable capacity. The method appears to have worked for James Bond - so, it's just me that's ageing!
Bruce Beckham
Hi - thanks for your interest. I am currently in discussion with a major audio book publisher - so it is possible that there are new editions in the offing. I shall certainly put out an 'update' on Goodreads of any developments. In the meantime I wish you a speedy recovery.
Bruce Beckham
Hi Assia - frantically and WITH interruptions is probably more accurate! But I'm getting there, although I have noticed my 'lockdown' books are turning out a bit longer than usual (a mystery, that).
As for your question - I decided not to incorporate Covid into the story - although the first British lockdown did present some interesting challenges for criminals - it seems they were being picked off like shooting fish in a barrel as they were the only persons out and about. On the other hand, there is the ability to wear a mask without suspicion!
I'm keeping the possibility under review for the next novel in the series.
Thank you
Bruce
As for your question - I decided not to incorporate Covid into the story - although the first British lockdown did present some interesting challenges for criminals - it seems they were being picked off like shooting fish in a barrel as they were the only persons out and about. On the other hand, there is the ability to wear a mask without suspicion!
I'm keeping the possibility under review for the next novel in the series.
Thank you
Bruce
Bruce Beckham
Hi Gail - thanks for the question - I think the scene you refer to is in 'Murder in the Mind' - where Skelgill is trying to impress a Swedish female psychologist whom he has been charged to chaperone. The contraption referred to as a 'Kelly kettle' really does exist, by the way - just Google it - many fisherman use them, although perhaps not in so cavalier a fashion as Skelgill! Hope this helps - and thanks for your support! Bruce
Bruce Beckham
Hi Vela, thank you – a question I frequently ask myself. Never say never, but had Skelgill aged in real time, believe it or not he would already be approaching retirement. You may know that Agatha Christie rued allowing Poirot to age (by some estimates he was 130 by his last case) and more recently Ian Rankin was obliged to contrive a renaissance for the retired Rebus. It’s quite a conundrum but I decided to adopt a ‘Dr Who’ strategy when it came to the back-story, so you might say Skelgill and his cohort are time travellers of a sort!
Bruce Beckham
Hi Assia - it's a tantalising question! If I'm allowed to pick anyone I'd probably opt for a younger Liam Neeson (Skelgill is 37) - not sure he'd lower himself to TV, however! For DS Jones, I know she's not an actor but in my mind's eye I can't see past Jess Ennis (Olympian). Nish Kumar could probably do a great job of DS Leyton! Kind regards, Bruce.
Bruce Beckham
Hi Cindi - thanks for your reply. The book ('The Dune') was just free on the day - however, I've checked the promotional schedule and it happens to be free again on Sunday, 15th September, in the Kindle Store. This will be the link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008WP51OU
Best wishes
Bruce
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008WP51OU
Best wishes
Bruce
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