#Audiobook Tour: The Cleanup Committee by Cordelia Rains

Author: Cordelia Rains

Narrator: Michael Kirby

Length: 10 hours 56 minutes

Publisher: Cordelia Rains

Released: April 22, 2022

Genre: Crime Thriller

It’s 1978. The drug trade is booming, and law enforcement can’t keep up. Enter the Cleanup Committee. They’ve all lost children to drugs. They’re rich, they’re organized, and they have resources. Will they succeed where the law failed?

Cordelia Rains lives and works from home in the beautiful pacific northwest. Her debut crime novel, The Cleanup Committee, was inspired by her parents: a police dispatcher and a nurse. A children’s series is also in the works.

Cordelia enjoys coffee, movies, and rock music. She can often be found walking with her family and their Saint Bernard.

Michael Kirby is a classically trained actor who has performed in film, television, theatre, and voiceovers for more than twenty-five years. He has developed a style that envelopes the audience in the narrative, bringing to life the writer’s work from the page. With clarity, grace, and a deep range of vocal techniques and characters to draw from, he puts the listener right in the heart of the story. He is a California native a lifelong skateboarder, outdoorsman and sci-fi nerd who spent a number of years living and working in New York City. Michael is a driven performer that brings mindfulness to all of his projects. As a father of two toddlers, he also approaches all things with a patient and nurturing spirit. Michael loves his craft and thrives on storytelling, both fiction and non-fiction.

 

Q&A with Author Cordelia Rains
  • Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
    • When I looked into making an audiobook, Audible was the clear winner. I did some research and uploaded a short script for auditions. This is how I found my narrator, Micheal Kirby. His voice captured my attention immediately. We worked together to make The Cleanup Committee come to life.
  • Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
    • I did have an audiobook in mind when writing The Cleanup Committee. My father was blind, so audiobooks were his way of reading, and a major way he interacted with the world. It’s important that my story be accessible.
  • Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?
    • My real life inspirations come from Oregon. While the characters are fictional, the cities and small towns are real. From urban Portland to rural Summer Lake, Oregon is a pretty amazing place.
  • How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
    • I avoid burnout by focusing on the inspiration. I also don’t box myself into a set schedule; that way it doesn’t feel like something I “have to do”. I take advantage of inspiration and energy as they happen.
  • Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
    • I love listening to audiobooks. I have ADHD, so it’s actually helpful listening to audiobooks while doing the dishes or laundry. Whether it’s author read, narrator read, or a full cast, audiobooks provide a unique listening experience.
  • If this title were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the primary roles?
    • If I could cast The Cleanup Committee, I would pick Devin Druid to play Johnny Redwine. I could see Mackenzie Foy as feisty young Dot, and I’d love to have Richard Geere as Jonah Stoneking.
  • What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
    • To those who think audiobooks are somehow inferior to reading, I’d ask why reading has to be a competition. All that matters is that someone takes in the story, or the information, in whatever form works best for them.
  • What’s your favorite:
    • Food- I love Italian food!
    • Song- Bring me to Life by Evanescence
    • Book- Oh man. I can’t pick one favorite. I’ve re-read Dracula a few times. I enjoy science fiction, fantasy, and adventure stories.
    • TV Show: Stranger Things
    • Movie: I love movies!
    • If I had to pick a favorite it would be “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
    • Band- Breaking Benjamin
    • Sports Team: Portland Trailblazers
    • City: Seattle
  • What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?
    • My advice for aspiring authors would be: make space for inspiration. Schedule time on the calendar for thought, or practice, or anything related to writing, because it’s just as important as any appointment.
  • What’s next for you?

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