The Enigma Factor by Charles Breakfield & Roxanne Burkey - Audio Book Tour
Author: Charles V Breakfield, Roxanne E Burkey
Narrator: Steven Jay Cohen
Series: The Enigma Series, Book 1
Publisher: Enigma Series LLC
Released: Jun. 9, 2017
Length: 12 hours 15 minutes
Genre: Science Fiction; Technothriller
Rogue cyber-criminals want Jacob Michaels, a brilliant young programmer, to join them. He just doesn't know it yet. Jacob has the brains, expertise, and programming methods to get them what they want without discovery. With his best friend, Buzz, and a distractingly beautiful encryptionist in tow, Jacob enters the world of the Dark Internet here in the 21st century where the computer is the weapon of choice! With the cyber criminals engaged in international hacking, it's easy to have your identity slip through your fingers. No one, including Jacob, believes it when he learns he has been targeted. Jacob finds the space between cyber good and cyber evil difficult to navigate as well as highly deadly.
Jacob has settled into a quiet routine of a techno geek after his mother dies. The plans he made are disrupted when he discovers his life is in danger. He sets off on a mission that takes him into new technology views and exposes to him the inner-workings of unknown global technologists. Jacob learns that safeguards for technology are always evolving and being exploited. His challenge becomes how to keep ahead of the criminals and identify who to trust.
Book one of The Enigma Series brings relevant technology elements of programming, encryption, crypto-currency, identity theft, and hacking to highlight the professional excellence of Jacob, more so perhaps due to his sheltered upbringing. Explore the horrific damage cyber criminals can inflict as the award-winning authors, Breakfield and Burkey, weave a complex tale of danger, intrigue, and international cyber combat in their debut thriller, The Enigma Factor.
Breakfield is a renowned technology solutions architect with 25+ years of experience in security, hybrid data/telecom environments, and unified communications enjoys leveraging his professional skills in these contemporary TechnoThriller stories. His love of World War II history from multiple viewpoints, extensive world travel, and cultural exchanges are a part of his DNA. Charles’ love of wine tastings, cooking, and Harley riding has found ways into the nine books of The Enigma Series. Being the son of a military father allowed early exposure to various outposts, which has positively contributed to Charles contributions to many characters and the various character perspectives explored.
Burkey is a renowned customer experience professional, she is adept at initiating business solutions optimizing existing technology architecture to positively impact business outcomes. Her 25+ years in technology and business has allowed her to be a featured speaker on customer experience, subject matter expert, interviewer, instructor, and author of technology documents, as well as creator of the award winning stories within The Enigma Series. She recognized a few years ago, after several white papers and non-fictional technology books that writing fiction is a lot more fun, creative, and yet leverages relevant technology. As a child she helped to lead the other kids with exciting new adventures built on make believe characters which she brings to the stories in a grown up manner. Rox enjoys family, listening to people, any kind of travel, sewing, gourmet cooking, and imagining the possibilities.
Breakfield & Burkey – Combining their professional expertise, knowledge of the world from both business and personal travels, many characters whom have crossed their paths and are now a foundation for the 150+ characters which are a part of their series. They find it interesting to use aspects of today’s technology that people are actually incorporate into their daily lives. They will openly claim this experience and knowledge of people is a perfect way to create these adult good guy/bad guy stories. Relevant technology is combined with travel, romance, intrigue, mystery, and humor design for each book to be enjoyed alone or in sequence. Reviewers have positively compared Breakfield and Burkey to the works of Tom Clancy and Clive Custer which are some of their influencers.
The nine books currently in the series include The Enigma Factor, Rising, Ignite, Wraith, Stolen, Always, Gamers, Broker, and Dragon have received awards individually as a series, and audio books. They have also created some award winning short stories including one for The Enigma Chronicles focused on how one of the founding family was fractured due to the greed for information superiority.
Burkey is a renowned customer experience professional, she is adept at initiating business solutions optimizing existing technology architecture to positively impact business outcomes. Her 25+ years in technology and business has allowed her to be a featured speaker on customer experience, subject matter expert, interviewer, instructor, and author of technology documents, as well as creator of the award winning stories within The Enigma Series. She recognized a few years ago, after several white papers and non-fictional technology books that writing fiction is a lot more fun, creative, and yet leverages relevant technology. As a child she helped to lead the other kids with exciting new adventures built on make believe characters which she brings to the stories in a grown up manner. Rox enjoys family, listening to people, any kind of travel, sewing, gourmet cooking, and imagining the possibilities.
Breakfield & Burkey – Combining their professional expertise, knowledge of the world from both business and personal travels, many characters whom have crossed their paths and are now a foundation for the 150+ characters which are a part of their series. They find it interesting to use aspects of today’s technology that people are actually incorporate into their daily lives. They will openly claim this experience and knowledge of people is a perfect way to create these adult good guy/bad guy stories. Relevant technology is combined with travel, romance, intrigue, mystery, and humor design for each book to be enjoyed alone or in sequence. Reviewers have positively compared Breakfield and Burkey to the works of Tom Clancy and Clive Custer which are some of their influencers.
The nine books currently in the series include The Enigma Factor, Rising, Ignite, Wraith, Stolen, Always, Gamers, Broker, and Dragon have received awards individually as a series, and audio books. They have also created some award winning short stories including one for The Enigma Chronicles focused on how one of the founding family was fractured due to the greed for information superiority.
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1. Tell us about the process of turning
your book into an audiobook.
When
we decided to venture down the path of audiobook production it began as an
information gathering activity. Neither of us had listened to audiobooks, but
our kids were saying it was the easiest way to multitask. Then one of our
friends indicated they were unable to read our stories they were ADAH and that
we should record them. Burkey attended an author event and spoke to some folks
about their offering of audiobook production, but the cost was so high we
avoided for another year.
We
had another friend who wanted to narrate our first book and tried, to produce
several chapters. We really liked her interpretation, but she had not used a
production facility. ACX tested the content and it sadly failed the needed
sound quality levels.
Then
we crossed paths with an expert in both narration and with creating audiobooks,
Richard Rieman, who explained the process of finding a good narrator, the
different ways to pay for the process, and approaches we might take. We
listened to auditions and secured a renowned narrator, though we did not
recognize that at the time. Again, we still had not listened to a full book via
audible. The book was produced and over time we listened to our story being
told one chapter at a time. We did not realize the finer points of how to
secure changes, tools we should have provided, and the time it might take. It
was a huge learning experience for us.
We
had hoped we would be able to use the narrator for the subsequent stories, but
we found ourselves at the cost prohibitive point. The ROI just did not work for
us, so we had to find a new narrator. With book 6 currently in production, we
are still learning how to help and support our narrator, Derek Shoales, who is
doing a fabulous job of bringing our characters and stories to a new dimension.
2. Do you believe certain types of writing
translate better into audiobook format?
Any
writing can be translated into a great audiobook format with the right
narrator, open discussion/exchanges between the authors and timely feedback.
Only a picture book with no words would have an issue. Burkey has started to
listen to audiobooks and her appreciation for the effort continues to grow.
3. Was a possible audiobook recording
something you were conscious of while writing?
When
we started writing and getting reviews we were hoping for the big screen with
our series, like a Netflix, or Amazon series. We write about applied technology
because it is what we know from our professional background. In answer to your
question, we deliberately wrote each story with the idea in mind that we would
port it to another media type.
4. How did you select your narrator?
We
loaded up a sample of our story into ACX and solicited for narrators to
essentially audition. We listened carefully to the way they told the story and
selected the one we thought would bring the best voice to our series. When you
have a character universe of 160+ like ours, it is important to make sure your
voice actor can properly cover the range.
This isn’t like reading to your young ones at bedtime but really a
narrator who can become the character(s) and deliver an enriched story to the
listener.
5. How closely did you work with your
narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any
pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
With
the first book we did not work closely enough. We were still new to the process
and changes which we would have liked seemed daunting. Without directions or
author notes to guide, different narrators will deliver the work in their own
ways.
After
the first one we have started to provide pronunciations on words, insights to
the characters, and locations as well as catching the time in a given recording
where we would like a change. This has made the process into an amazing partnership. We feel like our narrator is part of our
team.
You
should know that not everything easily translates from the written word to a
compelling audible. Derek caught a
conversion problem when taking it to the audible format that we completely
missed. Look for that skill in your narrator.
6. Were there any real life inspirations
behind your writing?
We
both work in technology and have for many years. We bring our knowledge of
technology into the stories along with our travel all over the world and the
crazy good and bad people who have crossed our paths. Many of the characters
are patterned off people we have known. One particular favorite is John C, an
Irishman first appearing in The Enigma Wraith, who is a friend we worked with
in technology for many years. Lots of
fun people. By the way John C liked the Irish voice characterization our
narrator did for his character.
7. How do you manage to avoid burn-out?
What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
We
both work full time for very demanding companies. We set aside time for
writing, marketing, and strategizing where to take the next book. Part of our
continued enthusiasm for writing stems from the technology aspects we leverage
in the stories. We are so lucky that technology is an ever changing element and
we are close to the edge of the newest innovations and possibilities it can
bring. While Book 10 is in its final grooming stages for publishing we are
working on the concepts for the next story. Now and again we might get a bit
down but then some idea will spark our conversation and the ideas will be
everywhere.
8. Are you an audiobook listener? What
about the audiobook format appeals to you?
This
media is something Burkey is working with from a listening perspective. One of
the best parts is the start, stop, and restart aspects. A different way of
keeping your place. Ideal for long airplane rides.
9. Is there a particular part of this
story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the
book format?
As a
reader you need to imagine the sentiment and feelings of the character in the
context of the storyline. With the right narrator emphasizing the feelings of
the characters in their tone it makes it somehow richer. We found in listening
to our own stories during the review portions before they are finalized that we
like our stories more than when we wrote them. That seems a little egotistical,
but you asked.
10. If you had the power to time travel, would
you use it? If yes, when and where would you go?
Time
travel would be an ideal way to meet characters in the context of their life so
sure. It is almost like name the top five people living or dead you would like
to have as dinner guests. Likely we would enjoy going a bit into the future to
verify that how we position technology adoption actually occurred or not.
But
to your first question, no we wouldn’t use time travel because of the
temptation to make changes to past events.
We wouldn’t be the same people here at this point in time with changes
to our past mistakes no matter how trivial they may seem.
11. If this title were being made into a TV
series or movie, who would you cast to play the primary roles?
We
have over 160 characters in The Enigma Series universe. So a few of the cast we
would enjoy using (and meeting) would include:
Jacob Chris
Pine
Petra Keira
Knightley
Quip
James Franco
Wolfgang Christopher
Plummer
Stalker David
Boreanaz
Carlos Santiago
Cabrera
Juan Jake
Gyllanhaal
Julie Gemma
Atherton
Gretchen Kirsten
Dunst
Brayson Jeremy
Renner
Mercedes Moon
Bloodgood
12. What do you say to those who view listening
to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
We
try not to have a prejudice for the media type that people want to consume.
Clearly it is a matter of preference, time, and these days age. People with
different ideas often belittle others who take a different path. We think it is
worth trying. When we are children listening to stories was our first exposure
to reading.
13. How did you celebrate after finishing this
novel?
To
be honest, each novel completed allows for Chinese food or pizza and possibly a
bit of sparkling wine. When book 10, The Enigma Source, is released in summer
of 2018 in ebook and paperback it will be a fun discussion. When book 6, The
Enigma Always, is released in audiobook format around that same time it will be
its own celebration.
14. What gets you out of a writing slump?
Stepping away or talking about the issue with my co-author typically helps move
it along. Usually this occurs because our work interrupts the time we have for
writing. Work is first as we have a responsibility to our jobs which we both
take seriously. What about a reading slump? Neither of us have a good answer
here as it hasn’t occurred to this point.
15. In your opinion, what are the pros and cons
of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series?
In a
series the author gets to continue character development over time. Humans grow
and change over time which is fun to explore. We also write short stories
designed as standalone. In these it is more important to focus on your goals as
an author for that story. As a series we get to withhold some story elements
for a future member to our series. If
you are only crafting a single standalone book our feeling is you need to “bake
in” all the story elements needed to satisfy a reader.
16. Have any of your characters ever appeared in
your dreams?
Yes.
Sometimes it helps work out a way we want to take a character. Dreaming is a very useful tool.
17. What's your favorite:
a. Food-We each have different favorite foods,
though we both like Chinese, salads, and sweet potato fries. And of course,
wine.
b. Song-There are so many great songs. We both enjoy rock ‘n’ roll so Queen, Led
Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd are always high runners.
c. Book-War and Peace comes to mind as well
as “Green Eggs and Ham”
d. Television show-Burkey doesn’t like TV
shows. Breakfield is real fond of Game of Thrones
e. Movie-Burkey’s would be Live and Let Die.
Breakfield’s would be The Wind and the Lion.
f. Band-Okay now we are back to Queen, Led
Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Steve Miller Blues Band
g. Sports team-Neither of us are really into
sports, but agree the competition at the Olympics is great.
h. City-Burkey likes New York City.
Breakfield likes Istanbul.
18. Are any of those things referenced in
appearance in your work?
Our
books have scenes or events which take place all over the world. We have each traveled extensively so the
various cities like Istanbul, São Paulo, Barcelona, and New York City do
appear. Wine and good food are also highlighted especially if there is a local
food to highlight.
19. What bits of advice would you give to
aspiring authors?
Write
if you wish and enjoy what you write. It is always easier to write about things
you know. You will not get it right the first time, but you need to keep at it.
Don’t let your friends read it as they will only tell you what you want to
hear. It is always better to try and fail, than to fail to try. Everyone has a
story.
20. Do you have any tips for authors going
through the process of turning their books into audiobooks?
Research
is important. Take a look at various groups which take about the pros and cons
of audiobooks. Invest wisely as it is an expensive endeavor. Many folks like to
tell their own story which is great if you have a recording studio available
and have a voice actor inside of you. Listen to a few books to help understand
the voice you want to tell our story. ACX has some great tools.
AudioBookReviewer.com is one avenue to look at. Richard Rieman (AudioBook
Revolution) and Jocqueline M Protho (The Audio Flow Podcast). Another tip might
be to read Richard’s book, The Authors Guide to Audio Book Creation.
21. What’s next for you?
We
want to have the rest of the series, Books 6-10, in audio book format, and we
are just starting to form the plans for Book 11.
THE ENIGMA FACTOR
Sep. 25th:
Sep. 26th:
Sep. 27th:
Sep. 28th:
Sep. 29th:
Sep. 30th:
Oct. 1st:
THE ENIGMA RISING
Oct. 2nd:
Oct. 3rd:
Oct. 4th:
Oct. 5th:
Oct. 6th:
Oct. 7th:
Oct. 8th:
THE ENIGMA IGNITE
Oct. 9th:
Oct. 10th:
Oct. 11th:
Oct. 12th:
Oct. 13th:
Oct. 14th:
Oct. 15th:
THE ENIGMA WRAITH
Oct. 16th:
Oct. 17th:
Oct. 18th:
Oct. 19th:
Oct. 20th:
Oct. 21st:
Oct. 22nd:
THE ENIGMA STOLEN
Oct. 23rd:
Oct. 24th:
Oct. 25th:
Oct. 26th:
Oct. 27th:
Oct. 28th:
Oct. 29th:
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