AC-I-347 From Page to Audio: Kestral Gaian on Storytelling and Audiobook Narration

Introduction to Kestral Gaian: Embracing Storytelling Through Audio

Kestral Gaian’s passion for storytelling has deep roots, shaped early by poetry, personal challenges, and the triumph of self-expression. In a recent interview with Becky Parker Geist on the Audiobook Connection podcast, Kestral opens up about their journey to publishing and narrating their debut audiobook, The Boy from Elsewhere.

The Role of Poetry and Early Experiences with Storytelling

Kestral’s love of stories began in childhood, shaped by listening to spoken stories and poetry. As an autistic child, poetry became a vital tool for them to understand and process the world, especially when traditional communication felt overwhelming.

They recall how short poems and stanzas helped break down complex experiences into manageable pieces, supporting communication and comprehension at school and home.

“I would pick up poetry books and find bite-sized ways to look at the world differently, which helped me explain what I was feeling.”

Family support was fundamental. Kestral’s mother often read or sang stories aloud, making storytelling a multisensory and comforting experience. Likewise, school encouraged storytelling through group listening, cementing the importance of oral narration.

Overcoming Early Discouragement and Returning to Writing

Despite an early passion for writing stories and poems, Kestral faced discouragement during adolescence. A critical English teacher advised them to stop writing, citing poor handwriting and spelling as reasons. This led to a significant pause in their creative output.

Yet, Kestral gradually found their way back through incremental steps like participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), publishing online, and anonymously sharing poetry. These actions rekindled their confidence to pursue writing seriously again.

The Path to Publishing: Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing

Kestral’s first novel began as a NaNoWriMo project, later self-published after professional editing and feedback from friends. This initial endeavor received mixed reviews but boosted their belief in their abilities.

Subsequent opportunities led to collaboration with a traditional publisher on a non-fiction book concerning LGBTQ+ rights and historical legislation in the UK. Their relationship with the publisher evolved, resulting in republishing their first novel in a more polished form alongside a poetry volume.

Creative Adaptations During COVID-19: The 24-Hour Write-a-Thon

The pandemic posed creative challenges, especially for Kestral, who was accustomed to writing in coffee shops rather than at home. To overcome this, they initiated a 24-hour write-a-thon streamed online, raising money for an LGBTQ+ charity.

This innovative approach not only supported a cause but also birthed the early draft of The Boy from Elsewhere.

From Author to Narrator: Producing the Audiobook

Audiobook narrator and author Becky Parker Geist explored with Kestral their experience taking their writing into audio format. Despite initial resistance from their traditional UK publisher—unfamiliar with audiobook production—Kestral advocated strongly for an audiobook version, reflecting their personal passion for listening to authors narrate their own work.

Kestral recorded the audiobook over a week in a London music studio with an experienced producer who guided the process. This marked their first audiobook narration experience.

Key Learnings from Narrating Their Own Work

• Reading aloud transforms editing: Kestral found that reading their work aloud revealed issues with pacing, sentence length, and tone, ultimately improving the text’s flow and emotional impact.
• Audiobooks tell stories differently: Adjustments need not perfectly match the printed page; audio narration offers a unique, complementary storytelling mode.
• Performance experience helped but also challenged creativity: Previous corporate speaking engagements provided breathing and speech control skills but initially caused self-censorship.
• Listening to their own voice was surprisingly positive: Contrary to expectations, hearing their voice narrate felt immersive and empowering rather than uncomfortable.

About The Boy from Elsewhere

The Boy from Elsewhere is a character-driven novel where a boy wakes up on a beach in pajamas, confused about his origins. The town appears familiar yet distorted, and Joshua, the boy, teams up with David—a local feeling stuck in life—to unravel the mystery. Along the way, they encounter someone from their past who holds secrets, culminating in a reluctant effort to “save the world.” The story’s blend of mystery, adventure, and personal growth makes it an engaging listen or read.

Where to Find the Audiobook

Kestral’s narrated audiobook is widely available, including on Audible, Apple Audiobooks, Google Audiobooks, and various international platforms. It is also accessible via many digital library services.

For authors and listeners seeking a platform with greater control and higher royalties, Amplify Audiobooks is recommended, offering more direct connection between authors and audiences.

Learn More About Kestral Gaian

For updates on Kestral’s work and future projects, visit their official website at www.kestral.al.

Conclusion

Kestral Gaian’s journey from poetry and early discouragement to published author and audiobook narrator emphasizes the power of perseverance and the unique strengths of audio storytelling. Their insights highlight the importance of reading aloud in editing and the joys of self-narration, encouraging authors to consider the audiobook format as a powerful storytelling tool.