Breaking into audio book narration demos

The audiobook industry is growing rapidly, but it remains very competitive, with specific artistic. Being an author myself, i know how important a decision this is. The library journal says heller has the voice of a master storyteller. It can be tricky for audio publishers to find a voice that suits both the book and everyones preferences. It shouldnt cost you more than the price of a demo, if you dont have the. For this post, we will primarily be examining ebook and audio book narration. Or more simply put peters audiobook narration is always about making a great story sound great. Instead, i went to acx, which is the division of amazon that handles the entire process of putting a book on audible, including rights management, choosing a narrator, paying the narrator, and receiving payments for audiobook sales.

Getting started january 20, 2015 february 11, 2015 melora kordos im an audio book narrator, as well as an actress and a director, and the question i get asked most often is how i became an audio book narrator and how can others do the same. Soon back in the united states with a green card, francisco struggles through adolescence, working two or three jobs. By being adept at both you have the power to endear a listener. How to get started narrating audiobooks steve marvel. Breaking into voiceovers doesnt have to take years, endless courses of dated technique or audio engineering experience. Scott brick presents how to break in to narration or an audiobook narrator shares the extent of his knowledge on creating a demo to. This is a good challenge because its a great way for people to show the different ways they record audio narration. Youre going to need an audiobook demo, specifically created to show off. There is no cost to join acx, but youll have to do the work to establish a proper profile. And unless you are an experienced copywriter and can create your own material, you will need to use ed material. A beginners guide to microphones for audiobook narration and voiceover work duration.

A couple of colleagues recently sent me emails asking advice about obtaining more work in audiobooks. Breaking into this market means opening the possibility of getting more commercials, and soon your voice is well known among producers. In this weeks challenge david asked people to share their audio set up and a few tips on recording audio narration. Breaking into the industry invest in specific audiobook acting training. Finding my passport and tickets is not easy, because i, amber brown, am one very messy thirdgrader. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Have you used a microphone and recording equipment. He has recorded nearly 500 titles touching on almost every genre.

My real children, by jo walton, narrated by alison larkin alisons reading was strong, her rhythm easily ranging from conversational to profound. Actors who know how to instantly bring personality to commercials, cartoon and video game characters, are the people who consistently book voiceover work. Three excellent audiobook demos that got pat fraleys students book deals two of them first time deals. There are a couple of camps regarding who to approach first to inquire about recording an audio version of a book whose is still in effect. Hellers distinctive voice has always kept him in demand in the commercial voice over industry and audio book narration. New narrators can create a narrator profile or submit demos on 2 sites listed below. He was prompted to write this book as a result of discussions with many aspiring narrators wanting to understand the best, most effective way of breaking into the audiobook business. How to produce a demo for the audiobook market voice. If youre wondering how to become an audiobook narrator, this post has you. If you havent had any practice or previous training during voice over work, you might try these tips to break into the industry. How to become a narrator queensland narrating service. Listen to breaking through by francisco jimenez at. I studied, made a demo, went to apac, met publishers and cultivated relationships.

Even if youre a trained actor with credits on stage, on screen, or in voiceover, you still need to learn technical skills specific to audiobook narration. Youre going to need an audiobook demo, specifically created to show. Until recently, one of the biggest audio book publishers in the world only employed those with a. I took a skype course with such a voice in early 2015, recorded my demos, and im now working on a long audiobook titled riding for. However, audio book narration will soon become a global proposition. With music occurring throughout the text, you have an audio drama rather than an audio book, which gives the listener a different experience. In the 09 studio, the easiest thing is to go into the audio editor and do an export of the audio files theyll be named by slide. How to get started narrating audiobooks pursue a path in the biz that gives you anything close to a regular income and youll invariably pique the curiosity of fellow performers. I would admit to being probably a little slower in my production output than maybe some other narrators.

Now the catch is that audiobook looks like it costs 22 bucks, but no one is going to pay that much. Breaking into voiceover, making a demo and getting an agent. Drawing the listener into a story using only your voice is an art. Actually, 92 percent of voice over artists work comes from narration. How to become an audiobook narrator and work at home. Its also important to have the tracks put into one continuous audio file and then convert it to an mp3 audio file. One idea is to rent out a recording studio to do your own demo tapes. Best to make a clean break, for a while at least, until you are feeling better. Narrators have the potential to expertly enhance a book, or, unfortunately, to sometimes drag it down. So, what the add narration option is offering is the actualy audiobook, but at a steep discount.

It usually takes me about three weeks to research, record, edit, and correct a 10hour book. I could find my own narrator and get the audio file and upload it, but i chose to use acx for everything. As he prepares to recite the declaration of independence before his eighth grade social studies class in california, the thing francisco has feared for ten years finally happens. To view the narrator, simply click on the personpeople voted link below the book to view the voters and the comments which hopefully include the narrator. How narrators get work from major audiobook publishers june 18. Professional voice over artists create their demos by using excerpts of recordings that they have been paid to record. Great narrators breathe life into a text while infusing each word and punctuation mark with color and meaning. Unlike in voiceover, where demos are usually only about a minute, audiobook demos are typically anywhere from 37 minutes, leaning towards about 5. Recording a copyrighted book how tos for voice actors. Making your big break into the realm of audiobooks can be a challenging, yet rewarding path to take as a voice over artist. Here are 10 types of voice over styles to be aware of when. I believe this same view holds true for childrens books. As you might imagine, i wrote a rather lengthy reply from which i will add a condensed version later in this post. To become an audiobook narrator, you will have to become a marathon runner and that doesnt happen overnight.

In the voiceoverxtra audiobook narrators business survey 2015, we asked participants. As the voice over industry\s online news, training and resource center, voiceoverxtra is a must have resource for anyone involved with the voice over industry, and the best place for newcomers to begin researching and learning about a career in voice overs. Please list the narrator in the comments field when you enter your book. Voice over acting staff and producers such a voice. There are times when different narrators read the same book. How i chose a narrator for my audiobook josh steimle. People often ask me about how to break into radio and tv commercial voiceovers. Breaking into voiceovers doesnt have to take years. This will compress the demo and make it possible to submit it to audio publishers via email. Voiceovers are short form, whereas narrating a book is about the longest form you can get. Becoming an audiobook narrator with ilyana kadushin. The audio engineer, oliver, is a great guy to work with, and the studio is pristine. But when breaking into voice, you must create a demo by recording artificial excerpts. Breaking into voiceover, making a demo and getting an.

Ive been listening to audiobooks for many years and would like to become an audio book narrator. He is a member of the audio publishers association and sagaftra. They want to know what investment, in time and money, youre making to be able to pursue the elusive steady gig actors crave. Edge studio voice over practice script library audiobook.

How to get started in audiobook narration voice over experts. Va is acting and, as such, breaking in is founded on a similar set of elements. Kevin clay discusses some advice specifically for people just starting out in audio book narration and some great resources. Just breaking into audiobook narration, you will need some degree of sound recording and. Atlanta audiobook narrator of over 50 books specializing in narrations of cozy mysteries and books set in the south andor starring southern characters. Youre video on breaking into the voiceover market has great advice and suggestions. People book directly off their demos, so dont think of it as a suggested example of your skills.

At the moment, though, i want to share some hot news with you. Derek works from a professionally equipped home studio near boston, ma. The art of recording audio books kindle edition by rosenblat, barbara, oday, dan. Practice reading out loud, but make it sound as if you are not reading. Joining a professional organization is a signal that you are a professional, and that you are committed to the craft and the industry as a whole.

However, being able to jump from the voice of the narrator to other distinct characters is also an art. Learn from the best audiobook narrator instructors in the. Acx audiobook narrators training for recording at home. It shouldn t cost you more than the price of a demo, if you dont have the. How to get started as an audible narrator through acx. On breaking into radio and tv commercial voiceovers. You can use that audiobook in the same way as any other audible book. Not only did this class provide the technical knowhow in terms of recording, editing, and mastering, but it delved into the narration process, the selection process choosing the best projects, the uploading process of finished audio files to acx, and the business side of things. Ultimately it is the person who holds the rights to the audio. Audio narration is my second job my real job is teaching english literature at a university so i probably take a bit longer to record books than someone who does audio work exclusively. I am proud to say were all working audiobook narrators todayand one is even a publisher make some high quality demos.

As an author you are no doubt looking for a narrator who can deliver an authentic, professional narration for your audiobook. Audiobook lovers know the importance of a good narrator. Acx is the online interface between audio book narrators and book rightsholders. I am not a professional actor and have never done any work like this. When your demo is complete, you may burn it on to a cd with four separate tracks, your slate and your three excerpts. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading audiobook narrator. I narrated for oasis audio and this came about by sending my cd samples and an introductory letter. Like many of you, i love audiobooks and want to make it my major niche in voiceover. Audiofile magazine calls him the best narrator for childrens books around.

Search for classes from audiobook coaches and directors, but. The book im going to use for my report, half a roll of strawberry licorice, my sticker book, two headbands, seven rubber bands, eleven paper clips and finally, my passport and tickets, which i have put in a specially decorated case. Lisa foster has over two decades of broadcasting and voiceover experience, and has one of the most versatile voices in the industry. Multiaward winning audiobook narrator scott brick seated works on a script. Audiobook narrators are professional voice actors and they are hired. Edge studio voice over practice script library english. Expanding characters from the written word into the spoken word is his forte as is maintaining a consistent performance throughout the audio book. The children of men, by pd james, narrated by julian glover julians somber, measured tones added a sense of gravity that i found captivating. Music under the credits helps to set the mood of the text. Together, these give me a solid background of modern recording techniques that can bring out the. On top of that, were pressed for time and need to get the audio recorded quickly. Do you have any other relevant skills or interests that could assist you in narrating. Sent demos to publishers many respondents said this took classes with influential narrators.