In our comprehensive guide on “How to Make an Audiobook,” we covered the end-to-end process of audiobook creation, from preparing your manuscript to distribution. A critical step is finding the right professional audiobook narrator to bring your book to life in audio format. Audiobook narrators bring books to life through their vocal performances. Also known as audiobook voice over artists, narrators voice all the characters, narration, and dialogue to engage and entertain listeners. Finding the right narrator voice that fits your book is crucial. The perfect narrator inhabits the essence of your book and characters emotionally to draw in listeners.
The role of the audiobook narrator is multifaceted. For fiction, they voice distinct characters with unique accents, tones, and speech patterns. For non-fiction, they maintain an authoritative yet approachable tone and clear pronunciation. Great audiobook narrators not only read the text out loud, but truly perform it with impactful delivery. They make listeners laugh, cry, and feel suspense right along with the book’s progression. Much like an actor carries a film, the narrator carries the weight of transporting listeners into the world of your book.
Finding the right audiobook voice over artist for your book from the pool of talented professionals takes time and care. But it is worth the investment. This guide will walk you through the process of understanding your book’s needs, evaluating demo reels, holding auditions, negotiating contracts, and maintaining communication to find that perfect narrator match.
Understanding Your Needs
The first step is gaining clarity on your book’s needs so you can determine the right narration style and voice attributes. Consider the following:
- Genre – Does your book require more serious dramatic delivery or lighthearted casual narration? Romance novels demand very different styles than epic fantasies or business nonfiction.
- Characters – For fiction, make a list of your main characters with details like age, gender, personality traits, and accents to inform the vocal performance needed.
- Tone – Is your book somber, humorous, suspenseful, etc.? The narrator’s vocal tone choices should match the book’s mood.
- Target audience – What pronunciation, accents, and delivery style will resonate best with your ideal readership?
By deeply understanding your book’s characters, plot, themes, and target audience, you will have clear criteria for the audiobook narration style and voice type you are seeking. Share this vision with prospective narrators to find the best fit.
Where to Find Audiobook Narrators
Once you know what you want in a narrator, it’s time to start the search. Here are places to find professional audiobook narrators:
- ACX – Amazon’s Audiobook Creation Exchange has a large database of narrators searchable by criteria like voice type, experience and languages. You can post your project for auditions.
- Voices.com – A network of professional voice actors with thousands of audio samples to review. You can post your narrator job for bidding.
- Narrator agencies – Many professional narrators work with talent agencies that can help match projects to their roster. Reach out to agencies to inquire.
- Acting schools – Contact instructors at acting schools and colleges to find students with potential voice talent looking for experience.
- Local theater groups – If you prefer in-person auditions, community theaters can be a talent resource.
Casting a wide net through major platforms like ACX and Voices combined with local community contacts, will give you lots of narrator options to evaluate.
Evaluating Potential Narrators
Once you’ve compiled audiobook narrators to consider, here is how to evaluate them:
- Listen to demo reels to assess vocal tone, clarity, accents and acting ability. Do they evoke emotions effectively through their voice?
- Review experience and client reviews. Have they narrated books similar to yours before successfully?
- Have a conversation to determine if their personality fits your book’s feel and discuss vision.
- Provide a short sample script for them to record and critique their delivery. Were character voices differentiated appropriately?
- Evaluate technical quality and professionalism. Do they have a pro-home studio setup? How responsive are they in communication?
The best narrators have not just great sounding voices but also acting chops to inhabit fictional roles convincingly. Take time to thoroughly evaluate each candidate’s skills and fit before committing.
Audition Process
Once you’ve narrowed down the candidates, hold auditions to make a final selection. Here are tips for auditions:
- Provide a 5-10 minute sample from your book showcasing different characters and narrative style.
- Have them read the script aloud conveying characters properly. Take notes on performance, clarity and accuracy.
- Pay attention not just to voice sound but emotional delivery. Did they captivate you?
- Provide direction and feedback and see how they adjust their performance. A pro can take notes well.
- Record the auditions to compare consistently after the fact.
- If possible, conduct auditions in person to get a sense of their personality and work style.
The audition will demonstrate first-hand how potential narrators perform with your actual book material. Evaluate carefully to find the best fit.
Finalizing the Narrator
Once you’ve selected your narrator after the audition process, it’s time to finalize the deal:
- Negotiate payment rate and payment terms. Most professional audiobook narrators charge per finished hour.
- Establish a schedule for the project, including expected turnaround time, milestones, and deadlines.
- Get the contractual agreement in writing covering the scope of work, rights, payment terms, deadlines, and other essential details.
- Discuss the editing and quality review process to align on expectations.
- Share preferred communication methods and determine cadence of check-ins during production.
Clearly defining expectations upfront ensures the production process goes smoothly. Maintain regular communication with frequent progress updates. Provide feedback during production to keep alignment strong. With a committed professional narrator secured and contractual details ironed out, you’re ready to begin creating your audiobook!
Conclusion
Finding the perfect audiobook narrator is essential to bringing your book fully to life in audio form. Take the time upfront to gain clarity on your book’s needs and preferred narration style. Evaluating demos and conducting auditions will reveal the best fit for your book from the pool of talented professionals. Do your due diligence in the selection process. The right narrator voice can transport listeners deeply into your book’s world and characters. With an exceptional audiobook voice over artist secured, your audiobook is positioned for success, engaging future listeners.