Four-time award-winning author Richard R. Becker releases his debut novel Third Wheel as an audiobook performed by Audible Approved narrator Brian Callanan
Hello again, dear audiobooks friends! Today’s Spotlight article is dedicated to Third Wheel, a brand-new audiobook from award-winning and best-selling writer Richard R. Becker.
Emmy-winning TV host, producer, and narrator Brian Callanan takes their place behind the mic in order to record this eight hours and 37 minutes long audio production from Copywrite, Ink.
Some of you may remember that last year I covered 50 States by Richard R. Becker, performed by Brian Callanan, and that I enjoyed it tremendously. So, you can imagine that I am really excited to check out this new work of fiction.
Before telling you all more about our talented author and narrator I suggest we look at the Publisher’s Summary to find out more about this novel.
Las Vegas, 1982. Brady Wilks, a teenage transplant from the Midwest, navigates life in the dusty suburban outskirts of an aberrant 24-hour town built by the Mob. Outcast as a newcomer, Brady forges a brotherly bond with an older teenage neighbor, Mick, and his friend, Brett. But when Brett unexpectedly moves away, Mick invites a new kid into their pack, squeezing out the last remnants of their childhood in favor of a new world laced with cartel-supplied drugs and the deal of a lifetime.
Third Wheel is a powerful novel about belonging, betrayal, and breaking away from paths laid out by others, even when it means grasping at an uncertain future. It is the story of a boy trying to find his identity without the benefit of a role model by taking chances on random and fragile relationships forged in the predawn hours of a future boomtown.
Desolate and gritty, Third Wheel is a triumphant debut novel, and Brady Wilks is remarkable as a transformative protagonist. Four-time award-winning author Richard R. Becker shares his unique insight into the human condition.
Richard R. Becker is an award-winning, best-selling American author. His debut collection of literary fiction and psychological thrillers began as a project to write one story a week for 50 weeks. It broke into the top 100 literary short story collections on Amazon for three consecutive months. It also won first place in the ABR Book Excellence Awards, Spring 2022 BookFest Awards, 2023 Book Excellence Awards, and was a finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Awards.
His debut novel Third Wheel was released in August 2023 to positive reviews. It was named a finalist in the Global Book Awards.
Richard was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised by his grandparents after his father was killed in a car accident. They were poor and his grandmother suffered from cancer. These difficulties, along with Richard being afflicted with club feet, contributed to many early social and educational challenges.
Before his grandmother died, Richard was relocated to live with his mother and her new family in Burnsville, Minnesota, and later Las Vegas. Richard navigated these transitions and worked a variety of jobs (fast food, retail paint, muralist, stage foreman, and convenience store clerk among them) to earn an education. He attended Whittier College in California and then the University of Nevada, Reno. It was there that Richard transitioned from psychology and art to journalism, with an emphasis in advertising.
Richard graduated during an economic recession. With no openings related to his field, he started freelancing as a journalist and copywriter. He wrote hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles, with his byline appearing in the Denver Post, Los Angeles Times, and publications for Simon & Schuster and Paramount Communications. He also scripted a documentary produced with PBS and contributed to five books related to marketing, public relations, and management.
His freelance career quickly led to the foundation of Copywrite, Ink., a 30-year-old strategic communications and writing services firm with publishing experience. While Richard serves as its president, he has concurrently held several senior management positions with other organizations. He also taught at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for 20 years.
In addition to his work, Richard serves as a city council-appointed volunteer commissioner on the Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. He has assisted more than 60 nonprofit and professional organizations as a consultant and board member. He has also been featured as a speaker for a variety of organizations, including Wizard World Comic Con, G2E World Gaming Expo, National Recreation and Park Association, Regis University, and U.S. Small Business Administration.
Aside from writing, Richard has a broad range of interests, including travel, hiking, parks, fitness, illustration, photography, and spending time with family. He is married and has two children.
Brian Callanan is an Emmy-winning TV journalist, an Audible Approved voice actor, an MC/auctioneer, and a video producer. He’s also a husband and dad who thrives on giving back to his community. His work is focused on delivering a message that resonates–whether that’s in a newscast, as an MC for a charity event, or via a compelling video or audio project.
After doing voice work for the past 25+ years as an Emmy-winning TV host and producer, Brian turned his talents towards the world of audiobooks and commercial work in 2015. He’s a graduate of David H. Lawrence and Dan O’Day’s acclaimed “ACX Master Class,” and has since recorded more than 70 titles released on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, and Downpour. Brian has reached “Audible Approved” status as a narrator/producer, or as Audible puts it, “the best of the best.” He’s also an experienced commercial voice artist who teaches a short course on voice acting and the audiobook narration process. He is no stranger to the work of this author. He narrated 50 States: A Collection of Shot, Short Stories by Richard R. Becker in 2022.
I will return with a full review for Third Wheel in a couple of weeks, but until then take care, stay safe, and don’t forget, always listen with your heart!
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I also post reviews or articles at the author, narrator, or publisher’s request, so, if you are in need of assistance in finding the perfect narrator for your book or just want to have a review on my blog, do get in touch.
Victor Dima
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