posted Thursday November 05, 2009 01:28pm EST

The Gathering Storm Audiobook

What’s a big new book without an audio version?

Hard to read in the car, that’s what.

Thank goodness for Kate Reading and Michael Kramer, the dynamic duo behind all of the Wheel of Time audiobooks; Michael also did Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Trilogy (sadly without Kate). Here’s an interview with them about the series, including their favorite characters and biggest challenges (often one and the same). It’s so funny to hear the voices I know from the audiobooks, especially Michael’s epic rumble, speaking casually! [Edited to add: Interview by Laura Wilson.] Enjoy:

The audiobook is available in CD format and also download-ably from iTunes and Audible.

Megan Messinger is a production assistant at Tor.com, and she can’t hear you—she has her headphones on and is listenin’ to Elliott rock, rock, rock, rock, rock me to sleep.

BOOKMARK

categories: Written Word

tags: Gathering Storm, Wheel of Time, audiobooks, Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan

16 comments

1. Shimrod
VIEW ALL BY · Thursday November 05, 2009 02:00pm EST

I thoroughly enjoy the chance to listen to audiobook versions of the WoT books.

Thanks to both Kate and Michael for all of your efforts in adding additional depth to the series for me.

And thanks to you Megan, for giving us a glimpse behind the scenes.

2. CuenDiller
VIEW ALL BY · Thursday November 05, 2009 03:30pm EST

Thanks for the interview!

I love these audiobooks and have enjoyed them on many a long nights in the studio at school. Kate and Michael do a great job.

3. EvadBelBurgh
VIEW ALL BY · Thursday November 05, 2009 04:01pm EST

I've managed to get my hands on the first 5 audio books, and they are wonderful - going through Book 4 again. :-) But alas, I'm in South Africa, and we have no distributors for the audio books here. It's also too expensive (when converted into Rand* no, it's no joke, that's what our currency is called) to order, so I'm hoping to run into someone who has 6 -12. :-) Michael and Kate do an incredible job - they have to rank right up there with the best in the business! :-)

4. kab1
Thursday November 05, 2009 04:11pm EST

I'd like to chime in that the audiobooks are wonderful. I've listened to the whole series multiple times on my ipod. They helped me get through many sleepless nights nursing newborn babes. Great job Michael and Kate- thanks for doing the whole series with us and the new books!

@3 EvadBelBurgh - can you download them from audible.com? Is that available in South Africa? You can get a monthly subscription for 2 credits a month from them (~$10/an audiobook)

5. ShaiZ
Thursday November 05, 2009 05:19pm EST

I've listened to this series on audio book numerous times.
Amazing and thank you two for your effort.

Though your voices sound different in TGS, odd?

6. singin hobo
Thursday November 05, 2009 06:06pm EST

Your voices bring the series to life. Thanks for your efforts and your love of the series. I look forward to listening to the two of you read the story as much as I look forward to the story itself.

I listened to a book on fasting that Kramer read and it was odd to hear the voice of Rand in something completely different.

ShaiZ, perhaps 4 years is enough age for a professional reader's voice to change significantly. And it's the longest gap they've had between WoT readings, so maybe they were a bit out of rhythm. I noticed it, too, when the first chapter was released.

7. seguesue
VIEW ALL BY · Thursday November 05, 2009 07:54pm EST

Thanks to Megan for a wonderful interview with two great narrators! Was fun to listen to instead of reading a printed interview.

8. thumbelinablues
VIEW ALL BY · Friday November 06, 2009 10:31am EST

I am actually just the bearer of glad tidings; the interviewer is Laura Wilson, Director of Production for Macmillan Audio. I should have mentioned it in the post, but I didn't ask who it was! Mea culpa. Fixed now.

9. SGliser
Thursday November 12, 2009 04:45pm EST

For me, Michael and Kate *are* the Wheel of Time voice. I tried to actually read The Gathering Storm and for 6 chapters, I kept imagining how they were reading it.

Excellent work, both of you.

10. MrStitches
VIEW ALL BY · Thursday November 12, 2009 04:57pm EST

Great interview. My personal favorite has always been Kate Reading doing Bayle Domon.

11. Bigears
Thursday November 12, 2009 07:16pm EST

Excellent, but much too short.
When will more be posted?

Please!

12. m5rammy
VIEW ALL BY · Friday November 13, 2009 12:07am EST

I agree with it all. I heard the audio books (up to Shadow Rising) and am enjoying them. I also enjoyed the interview and wanted to hear more.

13. GreatScott000
Friday November 13, 2009 05:30pm EST

I recently ordered the entire audio series and I am really enjoying it. However, I can't seem to find Winter's Heart anywhere. Amazon et al say it is unavailable. Will it be available again?

14. CZilla
Thursday December 10, 2009 05:15pm EST

I looked everywhere for Winter's Heart and finally found it from books on tape

http://www.booksontape.com/bookdetail.cfm/5425-CD

Expensive but worth it in my opinion!

15. MacmillanAudio
Tuesday January 05, 2010 03:40pm EST

Glad to see such interest in Winter's Heart. Will will be publishing it late this year or early next -- sorry, can't be more specific than that, BUT we will be sure to get the word out on Tor.com when we know more. Thanks for the interest; we are super excited about getting the audio out there again, too!

16. sinfulcashew
VIEW ALL BY · Wednesday January 20, 2010 01:19pm EST

Just listening to the interview:

The comment about how to pronounce Aes Sedai..... when I was curious about the right pronunciation, I found an RJ interview on Utube and HE said "Eyes Sedeye" with the 'I' accented.

I really enjoyed your reading! I don't usually 'hear' books. It's very different and gives a new perspective sometimes.
Thank you!