Classics Narrated

Scott Gadwa

www.classicsnarrated.com

183 Guinevere Ridge

 Cheshire, CT 06410

 203-623-9408 scottgadwa@juno.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Summer Reading Becomes Summer Listening

Cheshire, Connecticut, July 31, 2007 -- Tired of lugging a heavy book to the pool? Searching for stories the whole family can enjoy on the next vacation road trip? More and more Americans are listening to books via audio podcast - quickly, easily, and in most cases, for free.

Scott Gadwa provides high-quality, family-friendly readings of classic novels and short stories at www.classicsnarrated.com. All readings may be downloaded free of charge from the Classics Narrated website, or from Apple's www.iTunes.com. This website is a strong example of an emerging trend - the use of Apple's iPod and related technologies to stream narrative content at home, at work, and at play. Previous audio book formats were awkward and unwieldy - requiring the listener to carry around and change out multiple disks or cassettes. In addition to its compact size, the new technology allows listeners to subscribe to their favorite podcasts, meaning they can receive regular downloads of new episodes with no extra effort.

All books and short stories on the Classics Narrated website are in the public domain, enabling Scott G. to share these timeless works without charge. Full-length novels Kim and Lorna Doone take the audience on journeys of intrigue and adventure through India under the British Raj, and lawless Restoration England. Driving to New Hampshire? Download The Great Stone Face by Nathaniel Hawthorne, an American parable about the state's beloved icon, the Old Man of the Mountain. Crossing New York's Tappan Zee Bridge? Try The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on your car stereo. More than an entertaining story of a ghost and a love triangle, it paints a vivid picture of early American country life, from schoolroom to harvest feast, in a place that would later lie in the bridge's shadow. The Man Without a Country by Edward Everett Hale explores the meaning of American patriotism, at a time when the country was nearly torn apart. The good old days theme takes a more outrageous turn with O. Henry's The Ransom of Red Chief, where cowboys and Indians fill the imagination of a kidnapped child who turns the tables on his bumbling abductors.

This summer, whether driving to the family reunion, relaxing at the beach, or waiting at the airport, why not catch up on your reading via audio podcast?

Narrator Scott G. studied literature and acting at Brown University, and worked for over a decade in bookselling. His vocal talents are in demand from assorted community organizations, including the Connecticut chapter of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and his local church, e.g., as Narrator for congregational retelling of the Passion of Our Lord on Palm Sundays. He was inspired to start podcasting by many years of reading aloud nightly to his two daughters. The Classics Narrated website is a way to share literary gems, many almost forgotten, with a larger audience.

 For more information contact Scott Gadwa at 203-623-9408.

 Website: www.classicsnarrated.com

On www.iTunes.com, use search keywords: "Scott Gadwa"

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Lorna and John arrange a signal, and that John is not to return to the Glen for at least one month. John finds separation hard, particularly in the beauty of Spring. As the month is up, John is summoned to court in London, much against his inclination.

Since this was last updated, technology has changed. Basic QuickTime, all by itself, is no longer enough to play these podcasts, since the format, m4b, turns out to be protected from unauthorized copying/playing, whether I like it or not. There's a deluxe stand-alone version of QuickTime, but that costs money.

Starting from a point of departure, that iTunes for Windows may be scary to some folks, I looked at a few conversion alternatives (m4b to mp3), & tried a free test of one. That was a bust. How they expect to sell it, when the demo flops, is beyond me.

I then persuaded my interlocutor (the owner of the family PC) that iTunes for Windows might not be so bad, not overwhelm the PC, monopolize all free time, etc. We downloaded iTunes for Windows to said PC, pulled up a podcast episode previously downloaded directly from this website, clicked, & lo & behold, it started to play! Free, to boot.

As of this writing, iTunes for Windows 8.2.1 requirements include: a 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, compatible video & audio cards, Windows service pack 2 or later, or 32 bit Windows Vista, 200 MB available disk space - & it will automatically update itself.

• Downloading directly from Classicsnarrated.com can be done with Internet Explorer by right-clicking the m4a or m4b link and selecting "Save Target As," then selecting the destination on your PC. In Firefox, right click the m4a or m4b link, select "Save Link As," then select the destination on your PC.

Why m4a as a file format? It conforms to the current international standard for "multimedia container," MPEG4, which is likely to keep growing. It enables "enhanced podcast" containing chapter markers, integral artwork, and so on. Those features are available through iTunes/iPod, not necessarily all "MP3" players. m4b is designed specifically for audiobooks and podcasts, and enables bookmarking on non-clickwheel iPods, so future (and possibly past) episodes will go that way. Otherwise, same as m4a (bookmarking already present for most iPods).

If you still have trouble downloading or saving, or should any of the above information be mistaken, please let me know. Post your constructive comments, and I will do my best to make appropriate changes. -Scott G.

Now well in to the story of Lorna Doone, it seems appropriate that something other than my deliberations in choosing this appear to welcome visitors. With the latest episode (vol. 1, chapters 20 & 21) I have started to use chapter markers and additional art. For now, I don't plan to revise previous episodes, but could do so, if listeners want. Within the next day or two, tips for downloading episodes directly from this web page, without visiting iTunes, will appear for PC users. Reports from family members have made it clear that it's not quite as straightforward as it should be. Further information from listeners (still more from visitors who were frustrated in their attempts to download) would be most welcome.

Lorna explains her circumstances: isolated, frightened, and mystified about how she came to be among the cruel, violent Doones. She also tells John about a young cousin who came to bring her to her respectable family, and his murder.

John's hopes of Lorna are cast down by his interview with Mother Melldrum. Undaunted, he keeps his feelings for Lorna secret, returns to visit her with a gift of fresh eggs, and wins her confidence by his self-control.

John returns to Glen Doone on St. Valentine's Day, where he meets Lorna again. He falls in love, can't concentrate, loses himself in work, and seeks advice of a "wise woman" about when he should venture to see Lorna next.

Uncle Reuben vents his resentment over being robbed on his relatives and their guests. Mollified by their hospitality, he goes with John to the local squire, for justice. Humiliated there, they scout the Doones' stronghold to plan future action.

John tells of his cousin, a popular highway robber, and uncle, a prosperous merchant, who falls in with a different sort of thief.