Directing TRANS HISTORY: FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY — an audiobook adaptation of a graphic novel by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett — was a joyous rite of passage for me as an audiobook director. This book has everything! Image-to-text adaptation, read-by-the-authors, new narrators, experienced narrators, local legends, community leaders, activists, artists, scientists… the collaborative love that went into this was huge, and I hope listeners hear the authenticity and diversity in the multitude of voices narrating this title.
As one can imagine, there were a lot of moving parts on this project; I’m thankful I have a natural affinity for organization and details! I’m really proud of everyone’s work on this audiobook, and I am also proud of myself for accepting the challenge to take it on. I loved holding space for each collaborator to bring their best work, and I learned to stay flexible, because with so many variables, there’s always going to be moments where you have to pivot, re-imagine, or let something go.
Although I can’t say I want to specialize in directing large casts and/or the challenge of adaptation, I can say that such work is very rewarding. And I want to make room for it in my schedule when I can. Getting to work with so many talented people was a real gift, and the creative process of adaptation is one that I really enjoy.
Many thanks to super-stars Iris McElroy and Juan Garcia Ticoulat, who produced this title for Penguin Random House Audio in collaboration with the fantastic author/illustrator duo Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett, who were absolute gems to work with. I’m so thankful they all trusted me to direct this audiobook. And special thanks to our editor Tom Croke with Tim Bader Audio.
I also narrated parts of this book! Full cast includes: Alex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett, Ajuan Mance, Ardell Haefele-Thomas, Ms. Billie Cooper, Bishakh Som, Bright Zhou, Dee Dee Watters, Eilís Ní Fhlannagáin, Hans Lindahl, Jahni Leggett, Lilac Maldonado, Dr. Maria Fernanda Ugalde Mora, Marie Angel Venarsian, Mason Jairo, Sulique Waga, Susan Stryker, Adi Cabral, Andia Winslow, André Santana, Christine Rendel, Cloud Quinn, Daniel Henning, E. A. Castillo, Eileen Noonan, Hugo Bresson, Kay Eluvian, Kevin R. Free, L Morgan Lee, Rae De Vine, Shaan Dasani, and Will Dao.
Cheers!
Nicky