Back in 1995, children's book author Bruce Coville (The Unicorn Chronicles; Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher) was able to combine his storytelling abilities and love of theater in a unique venture: Words Take Wing, an imprint of then-independent children's audio publisher Listening Library. Under the Words Take Wing umbrella, Coville and Listening Library developed unabridged full-cast recordings of such popular fantasy novels as Redwall by Brian Jacques, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman and several of Coville's works, including The Skull of Truth. But Listening Library's acquisition by Random House Audio in 1999 essentially left Words Take Wing without a home, and Coville and Listening Library had an amicable parting of ways. Not content to let his new professional passion—full-cast recordings—languish, Coville decided to open his own audio publishing company. The result is Full Cast Audio, based in Syracuse, N.Y., very near Coville's home.
"The idea of starting the company really came out of my experience with Words Take Wing," Coville said. "I'm a storyteller myself, I love reading aloud and I love hearing books read aloud," he continued. "When we would be preparing for a Words Take Wing project and 10 or 15 actors would gather around the table to do a reading—there's nothing like it. It's just delicious. That was the impetus [for launching Full Cast Audio]."
In Full Cast's small office (directly across the street from Coville's writing office), Coville serves as president and publisher and Dan Bostick is managing director. "He's not only great to work with, he's an amazing performer in his own right," Coville said in praise of his colleague. The two met years ago while working on a community theater production. In addition, Bostick played roles in several Words Take Wing recordings. At Full Cast, "Dan and I split directing duties and Dan has moved into producing—all the hands-on scheduling and arranging," Coville said. A full-time assistant who also has responsibilities in Coville's writing office provides additional help at Full Cast.
According to Coville, the company's Syracuse location means that casting Full Cast productions is no problem. "There's an astonishing talent pool right here in town," he said. "In addition to actors from the university, community theater and groups that work with young people, there seem to be quite a few people here who once aspired to work professionally on the stage, but couldn't, for whatever reason." Coville noted that the author of each Full Cast book is encouraged to serve as narrator whenever possible; most authors relish this opportunity.
Having voice talent in the neighborhood, so to speak, only contributes to the tight-knit Full Cast environment. Recordings are done in a nearby rented studio that is a converted barn. But the building's humble beginnings don't mean it's not a quality studio setting. Most Words Take Wing titles were recorded there, and, Coville said, the site—and the recording process—just keep getting better. "We're continuing to refine the methods of recording for a full-cast sound, reaching new levels of engineering with different mike setups and other things," Coville said.
Full Cast's first list debuts this spring and summer beginning with Coville's The Song of the Wanderer (Apr.), read by the author and a full cast, and The United Tates of America (May) by Paula Danziger, read by the author and a full cast. Rounding out the starting lineup are Circle of Magic: Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce, The Beloved Dearly by Doug Cooney, The Moffats by Eleanor Estes and The Monsters of Morley Manor by Coville. Ten new titles, including David and the Phoenix by Edward Ormondroyd and Pierce's next Circle of Magic title, are on the schedule for next fall.
Currently, Full Cast distribution is handled directly (for resellers only) and via other established distributors. Consumer orders may be placed on the company's Web site, www.fullcastaudio.com. "We're developing relationships with companies and accounts of all sizes," said Bostick. "We want to work with the broadest spectrum of customers." Bostick noted that as Full Cast grows, more staff will eventually be added, including sales people.
Thus far, Coville and Bostick have no complaints about the work generated by their ambitious launch. "We are so excited," Coville said. "We love doing this, even though we work 80-hour weeks at this point. We'd be insane to do this just because it's a job."
