Christine & Donna Make A Film & An Audio Book

Like many theatre-makers, I've had to be creative about adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now I'm looking to apply my theatre skills to develop my first-ever audio book WITH a companion animated film (both produced and distributed separately). I would like to use the talents of another theatre-maker, Donna Morales , to narrate the audio book and the film. This will be a learning experience for both of us and a hobby project that we hope will lead to greater arts & entertainment opportunities for both of us in the future.


The natural choice for this audio book/film seems like my novelette Naomi & The Reckoning , which Finishing Line Press released as a print book this year. (The book is now available to order directly from the publisher ).

What's the story?

This novelette follows Naomi, a young woman with a physical deformity living in Richmond, VA. Struggling with body acceptance all her life, Naomi also comes from a strict religious upbringing. Purity culture further complicated her relationship with her body and, now recently married, she can’t find sexual satisfaction.

Why now?

The book is dramatic yet nuanced and I'm confident that Donna will deliver the story like the professional she is. With streaming video (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.) and audio-based entertainment (audiobooks, podcasts, radio dramas, etc.) flourishing right now, I see no better time for us to make the leap. I want to give people the chance to experience Naomi & The Reckoning on the page, on the screen, or via air waves. And I want Donna to be the voice behind it!

Ever since performing with Donna in a Beverly Bonner comedy play at the Broadway Comedy Club, I've been so grateful to know her and work with her. Since that play, we've worked together on two other projects. She performed in my play, Cyber Cinderella , and Meagan J. Meehan's A Soul to Squeeze (first at the Riant Theatre; coming soon to Theater Out of Bounds.) The latter was even featured in Broadway World !

Why both the audio book and film?

Donna's narration will work beautifully for both projects and we can use the same voice-over for the audio book and the film. I will be animating the film using my own personalized watercolor technique.


With your support, I will work with Donna to record Naomi & The Reckoning's narration and prepare it for the animated film and audio book. I will credit ALL donors, regardless of donation amount. This is your chance to sponsor the first-ever Quail Bell Press & Productions  audio book, as well as our first longer animated film.

• Donate $10 or more to receive a PDF of the novelette via email.
• Donate $30 or more to receive a SIGNED print copy of the novelette in the mail (U.S. shipping included.)

Our goal is to have the audio book completed by the end of the year, with the animated film out in early 2021. Let's end 2020 with some good news!

Thanks for your time and consideration. I'll be posting updates and related news here, so be sure to check back!


XOXO,
Christine Sloan Stoddard