Dear Author
Mar. 5th, 2011 12:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
podlizzieI've jumped into this podfic thing only recently, but I've since been reading a bit of meta and realised that sometimes there is miscommunication between author and podficcer and for some people this has ended in sadness. Therefore I've copied some other podficcer examples and I've written a letter to explain what a podfic is and how and why I am making them.
Dear Author,
With your permission (and I will always seek permission), I would like to create a Podfic of your fanfiction. This is an audio recording of your story, read aloud by me. Sometimes it will involve the addition of music or sound effects and usually I will create a cover, so it looks pretty. Usually these recordings are archived at The Audiofic Archive and my Mediafire account and posted to podfic-specific and fandom-specific communities. I am more than happy to let you know which communities I will post to upfront, just ask.
Why do I want to podfic your story?
Simply put, I would like to do this because I think your story is brilliant! Something about it has captured my interest, so much so that I want to sit down with it for hours of reading, recording, and editing (a process that takes more time than most people realise). And then I want to share it with as many people as will listen. Because at the heart of it, podfic is really an elaborate recommendation and, just as fic recs spread the word about a great story to others, podfic can be seen as a chance to get a wider fandom audience for your story.
I will always give credit to you as the author on both the audio recording itself and anywhere that I post links to the recording. I will always link back to your original story and encourage people to leave feedback for you. I'm never going to claim your writing as my own.
I want to podfic your story for those that will listen to and enjoy it, if that includes you, that's awesome! Podfic isn't everyone's thing, though so it's perfectly all right if that doesn't include you. You aren't specifically who I think of when I make the podfic. So don't feel any pressure to pimp my podfic if you don't want to and don't feel you even need listen to it or comment on it.
If you don't give me your permission to make a podfic of your work, I'm going to respect that decision. No need for explanation or defence. It's your work and I respect you and it too much to go against that.
Why do people listen to podfic?
I can't speak for everyone, but for me it is mostly about ease of access. Rather than being tied to your computer reading a story, you can be gardening or washing the car or working or lying in bed with a terrible flu and at the same time be listening to a story. I'm told that for some people with visual or reading disabilities, podfic can also open up a world they can't normally access, which is a rather lovely thought.
Why do I make podfic?
At the time I'm writing this, I'm only new to podfic myself. I purchased a microphone in order to become more comfortable with public speaking and just because a microphone sounded like fun.
Podfic wasn't what I had in mind specifically, but it was a lot more fun and useful than reading other things over and over again. I've since found I like being able to interpret a story out loud. I enjoy playing with the software, getting the right inflection on a sentence, laughing when something you've written ties my tongue in knots and I'm forced to start again.
Podfic, for the most part, garners very little praise or feedback for the reader. I don't think anyone is in it for the fame. It's a labour of love, really, an elaborate ficrec, and a bit of fun.
What I'd like from you, the author:
PERMISSION! That's it really. Give me permission to record your fic and I'll happily run with it. You need do nothing else for a podfic to be born. That's how most podfic is created and it results in the reader's interpretation of a story in an audio format.
That said, if you would like to make suggestions, please let me know upfront. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to do what you suggest, though. So please take this into account when giving me permission to record your fic.
In conclusion: THANK YOU! Whether your answer is yes or no to allowing me to make a podfic, thank you for writing something that inspires me. And thank you for reading this slightly rambly post and taking the time to make this decision.
Regards
Lizzie
P.S. If I've left anything out or you have other queries, questions or concerns, just drop me a line here or via email and I'll do my best to answer them.
Dear Author,
With your permission (and I will always seek permission), I would like to create a Podfic of your fanfiction. This is an audio recording of your story, read aloud by me. Sometimes it will involve the addition of music or sound effects and usually I will create a cover, so it looks pretty. Usually these recordings are archived at The Audiofic Archive and my Mediafire account and posted to podfic-specific and fandom-specific communities. I am more than happy to let you know which communities I will post to upfront, just ask.
Why do I want to podfic your story?
Simply put, I would like to do this because I think your story is brilliant! Something about it has captured my interest, so much so that I want to sit down with it for hours of reading, recording, and editing (a process that takes more time than most people realise). And then I want to share it with as many people as will listen. Because at the heart of it, podfic is really an elaborate recommendation and, just as fic recs spread the word about a great story to others, podfic can be seen as a chance to get a wider fandom audience for your story.
I will always give credit to you as the author on both the audio recording itself and anywhere that I post links to the recording. I will always link back to your original story and encourage people to leave feedback for you. I'm never going to claim your writing as my own.
I want to podfic your story for those that will listen to and enjoy it, if that includes you, that's awesome! Podfic isn't everyone's thing, though so it's perfectly all right if that doesn't include you. You aren't specifically who I think of when I make the podfic. So don't feel any pressure to pimp my podfic if you don't want to and don't feel you even need listen to it or comment on it.
If you don't give me your permission to make a podfic of your work, I'm going to respect that decision. No need for explanation or defence. It's your work and I respect you and it too much to go against that.
Why do people listen to podfic?
I can't speak for everyone, but for me it is mostly about ease of access. Rather than being tied to your computer reading a story, you can be gardening or washing the car or working or lying in bed with a terrible flu and at the same time be listening to a story. I'm told that for some people with visual or reading disabilities, podfic can also open up a world they can't normally access, which is a rather lovely thought.
Why do I make podfic?
At the time I'm writing this, I'm only new to podfic myself. I purchased a microphone in order to become more comfortable with public speaking and just because a microphone sounded like fun.
Podfic wasn't what I had in mind specifically, but it was a lot more fun and useful than reading other things over and over again. I've since found I like being able to interpret a story out loud. I enjoy playing with the software, getting the right inflection on a sentence, laughing when something you've written ties my tongue in knots and I'm forced to start again.
Podfic, for the most part, garners very little praise or feedback for the reader. I don't think anyone is in it for the fame. It's a labour of love, really, an elaborate ficrec, and a bit of fun.
What I'd like from you, the author:
PERMISSION! That's it really. Give me permission to record your fic and I'll happily run with it. You need do nothing else for a podfic to be born. That's how most podfic is created and it results in the reader's interpretation of a story in an audio format.
That said, if you would like to make suggestions, please let me know upfront. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to do what you suggest, though. So please take this into account when giving me permission to record your fic.
In conclusion: THANK YOU! Whether your answer is yes or no to allowing me to make a podfic, thank you for writing something that inspires me. And thank you for reading this slightly rambly post and taking the time to make this decision.
Regards
Lizzie
P.S. If I've left anything out or you have other queries, questions or concerns, just drop me a line here or via email and I'll do my best to answer them.
