So, do you want to learn how to become an audiobook narrator, but don’t know where to start? say no more, we have created a complete guide on everything you need to know about this type of vocal art. To provide an even deeper, more practical perspective, we’ve enlisted the help of Audible Studios’ own Kat Lambrix, who dives into everything you need to know about being an audiobook narrator. Starting with the basics of how audiobook narration works, you’ll find techniques and skills to develop, plus practical tips on how to break into the field and find audiobook narrator jobs. You’ll also receive a welcome guide to long-term career planning and resource suggestions, all from one of the leading experts on the subject.
so you want to be an audiobook narrator?
Many people want to become audiobook narrators because they love books and audiobooks, and they like to read aloud. others are inspired to follow this path because they are told that they have a unique talent and a great voice for storytelling. While both are great starting points, it takes a lot more than a nice voice and a love of audiobooks to become a successful audiobook narrator.
You are reading: How to become a reader for audio books
Listening to an audiobook is not simply about reading the words on the page – an audiobook narrator must have the skills and empathy to bring a book to life for the listener.
From a business standpoint, many audiobook narrators work as freelancers, so you need to be organized, professional, and have the ability to work on your own time, meet deadlines, and keep track of bills and payments. contracts. While it might not be the most stable career choice at first, if you’re passionate about audiobook narration, it could be your dream job.
what skills do you need to become an audiobook narrator?
It goes without saying that audiobook narration isn’t just a hobby; It is a career and like any career certain skills are required to start. so before you dive into the world of storytelling, make sure you can confidently say you own the following:
background in acting
It may seem obvious, but having some sort of basic acting knowledge makes a world of difference when transitioning into narration. “Storytelling is concert acting. You’re embodying different characters, you’re telling stories. So it’s really important to be able to do that,” Lambrix emphasizes. “a lot of people have gone to drama school. some people have come to us from other parts of the acting world. but whatever happens, being able to act is a fundamental skill… you’re telling a story, and not it’s your story.”
ability to differentiate voices, accents and dialects
This may seem like another fact, but knowing how to expertly embody characters from different backgrounds is an essential skill that will set you apart from other storytellers. “Inevitably, you’ll come across a scene with seven sisters or four women in their 30s, and you have to find a way to make their voices sound different to your listener,” says Lambrix.
resistance
Spending a day of storytelling may seem simple: you sit down for a few hours and read a book you like (hopefully) out loud. but in reality, these hours can drag on and tire you out in the process, so it’s important to be able to pace yourself as best you can. “We tend to shoot about six hours a day. so, you have to be physically able to do it. and it is a lot; It’s not just sitting down and talking,” Lambrix acknowledges. “It’s breath control. it’s knowing when to be loud. it’s knowing when to back off. those quiet scenes can be just as fatiguing as the big, noisy ones, because you’re dealing with so many emotions and so many nuances.”
investigative skills
and finally, do your research! now how does this fit in? you’re just narrating a book, right? but what happens when you’re in the studio and you come across a word, the name of a country or something else that you don’t know how to say? Doing your research beforehand can go a long way in greatly improving your storytelling skills. “So instead of pretending to know everything, the ability to know what you don’t know and go out and investigate is important,” says Lambrix.
In addition, this research can save you from potentially embarrassing situations at the booth. “We were shooting a non-fiction book and the narrator saw a video of an interview with this person and used his name pronunciation for the book. It turned out that the interviewer got the person’s name wrong. so the narrator got the name wrong throughout the book.” Needless to say, research is very helpful.
hone your skills as an audiobook narrator
practice
You’ve identified that you have the skills to get started, so how do you further refine those skills? “practice!” lambrix emphasizes. “It’s a great idea to go to your bookshelf, close your eyes, and pick a random book to narrate. maybe it’s a book you don’t like, that’s even better. and go and read that and see if you can do it. because the fact is you can’t always read what you want to read.”
learn from the professionals
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Just like anything else, you can improve and learn a lot from experts in the field, so listen a lot to your favorite storyteller. “Listening to people who are the best in their class at what they do. and then see where you can take those things and incorporate them into yourself,” says lambrix. “The more you do it, the easier it gets. The more you prepare, the more you can get into the cockpit and just go with the flow.”
start as an audiobook narrator
Most people in the industry recommend that you start by practicing on your own. read aloud in a quiet, enclosed space where you won’t be distracted, and learn to read slowly, clearly, and distinctly. if you’re wrong, take it from above. don’t be afraid to mark your “script” and practice reading aloud while looking ahead so you know what’s to come. increase your resistance. then record yourself reading, play the audio, and critique your performance. identify areas for improvement. helps to identify and practice various vocal patterns, dialects and accents. There are also voice-over classes you can take to master different storytelling styles.
When you feel confident in your skills, consider recording a demo. this is the perfect time to invest in a good quality microphone, noise-cancelling headphones, and a pop filter (a screen that goes in front of your microphone to filter out the sound of your breathing and the noises your mouth makes when you speak). set up a quiet study area. You don’t need to remodel a room in your house to soundproof it, but you want the best possible environment for recording. You’ll also need a computer with recording software, like GarageBand or Audacity, and it won’t hurt to know a few things about sound editing to put together the cleanest recordings. Most audiobook narrators also read on a tablet screen, so you may want to invest in something that allows you to read and scroll forward without noisily turning pages. once your demo is done, you can use it on your website or your profile for one of the sites listed below.
how to find work as an audiobook narrator
Now you’re ready to start looking for a job as an audiobook narrator. where do you start? Fortunately, there are many routes into the world of storytelling.
volunteer to read
One of the easiest and probably most rewarding ways to get started in storytelling is to volunteer to read for the blind. While this method may not pay out, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door while providing a service to someone – a winning proposition. “Volunteering to read is a great way to refine the storytelling skills you’ve been practicing. but it’s also a great way to meet other people in space,” says lambrix. “a lot of well-known storytellers do volunteer work as a public service, which is lovely.”
network in person and virtually
No matter what your career path is, networking events are always a great place to meet others in your field and potentially find your next job. the same is true for storytellers. You’ll be able to meet other aspiring storytellers, learn tips and advice from professionals, and even apply for potential jobs. “Networking is really important. You may consider joining the Audio Publishers Association. before covid they hosted mixers and events. but even now, they’re actually speed dating producers, virtually, which has been amazing,” says lambrix.
create a featured website to showcase your work
Especially today, being able to market yourself online is key to gaining traction in the storytelling space, so having a strong website is essential. You must have a good selection of samples that showcase your talents and abilities. To stand out even more, be sure to highlight a few skills that can set you apart, like fluency in another language or a specific topic you’re an expert on. “When I’m looking for a storyteller, or when I’m researching someone, I’ll listen to their samples. And it’s always better if you have them easily accessible on your website,” says Lambrix. In short, the more you can put on display, the better off you will be.
be nice
While this may seem unrelated, it goes back to that old adage “treat people how you want to be treated.” The storytelling industry is tight-knit, so making a stellar first impression will only benefit you in both the short and long term. On the other hand, if you are abrupt, dismissive, and rude, you will likely have a hard time finding a job. “People in the industry are friendly and really willing to share what they know. so if you’re putting out that good energy, it will come back to you. because people don’t hesitate to recommend actors,” says lambrix.
resources to find work
You may want to gain some experience before auditioning for major audiobook publishers, so consider looking for a job at Guru, Freelancer, Fiver, or Upwork. You may not find audiobook narration jobs right away, but you can build your portfolio. More specific audiobook venues for jobs include acx.com, voicebunny.com, and voices.com, although some of these platforms are looking for experienced narrators.
what to expect on your first day in the (home) studio
so you got your first job as a narrator, congratulations! Now, what is a typical day like? once you’re in the cabin, your day will be relatively easy. you will typically record for about six hours with short breaks. be sure to use these breaks to eat, stretch, and do whatever it takes to stay relaxed and focused. “I will walk around the studio and see people doing push-ups, jumping jacks or yoga. so do what you do. you want to sound the same at the end of the day as you do at the beginning of the day,” says lambrix. “Because someone who is listening is not going to start and end their day with you. they’re going to listen all the time.”
During the day, be sure to take advantage and connect with those around you if you’re in a studio. Remember the previous tip about networking? this is your chance to do just that, even if you’re a bit more conservative in your approach. “Meet everyone in the studio. talk to your producer, your engineer. find out how they like to work. let them know how you like to work. and then make sure your styles fit together,” says lambrix.
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At the end of the day, whether you’re recording on-site or at home, you’ll likely end up with something called “pick-ups,” which are essentially replays for any audio mishap. maybe there was background noise or your producer wants you to go back and repeat a line. this will be the time to do it. But don’t worry, just because you have trucks doesn’t mean you’re not doing a good job. everyone has trucks, even richard armitage. It’s not a big deal”, assures lambrix.
ranking up as narrator
For many aspiring audiobook narrators, it’s not enough to work on just one book, you want to work on many! but how do you go from being hired for your first job as a narrator to your 20th?
find your unique voice
While you may be skilled as a narrator in general, the most successful audiobook narrators have generally found a specific niche that they focus on. Take award-winning storyteller Ray Porter as an example. While Porter is an outstanding storyteller in his own right, he particularly shines in sci-fi and thriller audiobooks. because of this, he is the narrator for many high-profile sci-fi and thriller premieres throughout the year. “Discover where your voice fits. if you have a great voice for science fiction. really delve into science fiction. develop great relationships with your authors, publishers and producers in that genre and really dive right in,” says lambrix.
leverage the power of social media
Social media platforms can be incredibly useful tools for people in many walks of life, but especially for emerging storytellers. From connecting with other storytellers to communicating with authors and publishers, there are plenty of ways to make social media your best friend over the course of your storytelling career. “put your work on social media. see what people’s reactions are, see what people interact with. a lot of storytellers have a following on social media and listeners find them through their accounts. sometimes authors even they reach out to storytellers through their social accounts,” says lambrix. . therefore, make sure you build your social media presence slowly but surely. there’s a good chance you’ll land your next gig thanks to your efforts!
improve through coaching
It’s a simple formula: the better you are at a particular skill, the more people will contact you about your experience with that skill. it’s the same with storytelling. So even if you’re landing jobs left and right, be sure to consider a dedicated storytelling coach to help you hone your skills. remember, just because you have a trainer doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong or that you’re not good. the opposite is true: you’re trying to hone your craft, which is a big step in the right direction. “Even if you’ve written 20 books, if there’s something you just aren’t getting or you really need to go to the next level and it just isn’t happening to you, reach out and find someone,” Lambrix advises. “there are a lot of great audiobook coaches that can help you. maybe it’s something you’re not hearing, but someone else will listen and say, ‘here, let me help you improve this.‘”
how much can you earn?
The amount of money you will earn as an audiobook narrator will definitely depend on your experience and the publisher you work for. Some audiobook narrators are paid by the hour of finished audio, but keep in mind: the payment should also cover the amount of time you prepare, record, and edit your audio. Some publishers may ask you to come to their studio, where you’ll work with a director or producer and a sound engineer, and then pay you by the hour. Some audiobook narrators are members of Sag-Aftra, which means their rates are subject to further rules and negotiations. Many professional audiobook narrators also have agents who help them negotiate and find work. but for someone just starting out, you can expect to earn less than the stated talent.
It is important that you understand how to manage your time wisely, so that you work efficiently and are paid fairly.
how to build your career as an audiobook narrator
Once you’ve honed your narration skills, gathered the tools you need for a home studio, mastered audio editing, and have some narration and dubbing work under your belt, you can submit demos to major publishers of Audiobooks and Audition for the opportunity to narrate traditionally published audiobooks. Most major audiobook publishers have a section on their website where potential narrators can submit demos. You may not get your first genre or book choice when starting out, but this is a career that requires patience, determination, hard work, and a lot of stamina.
You might also consider networking with other voice actors and learning as much as you can about the audiobook industry. read audio files, continue listening to audiobooks, and study different types of storytelling and performance techniques to increase your skill set. Often one opportunity will lead to another, so always be professional, friendly, and courteous to anyone you work with.
resources for audiobook narrators
If you want to learn how to become an audiobook narrator from an established professional and industry insider, we recommend you check out Storyteller: How to Be an Audiobook Narrator by Lorelei King and Ali Muirden. Lorelei King is best known for her work on Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, the Patricia Briggs novels, and many more beloved books that have earned her Earphones awards as well as the distinction of being named Audiobook Narrator of the Year and Room Member. of famous audible narrators. Ali Muirden is a Grammy Award-nominated producer and director. Together, they reveal many of the top secrets in the audiobook storytelling industry. King and Muirden offer practical advice on the nitty-gritty of storytelling, from preparing for a job, marking up your scripts, and researching before recording, along with advice on expected studio behavior and troubleshooting recording problems. They also address how to market yourself and prepare your career for the future, making storyteller an indispensable guide for anyone passionate and serious about becoming an accomplished and successful audiobook storyteller.
This article was updated August 2021 to include guidance from kat lambrix by audible editor luis gonzalez.
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