“I LIKE THE WAY YOU TALK”

             

                                                     Choosing the Right Narrator

 

            Billy Bob Thornton is a phenomenal actor, and I adore his movies. One of my favorites is Sling Blade. More specifically, a quote from that movie “I like the way you talk.”

Grammatically speaking, the phrase is wrong, and Grammarly would’ve been all over that with corrections.

And much like this helpful writing tool, we are equipped to gauge and determine if certain things seem right or not to us as well.

Audio narration is one of the best-selling features of books. Let me count the ways. First, they allow you to listen while engaged with other things. Second, it sharpens our listening ability, and third, it enables us to read while driving—something I wouldn’t otherwise advise.

Still, there are a few drawbacks for authors who want their books on audio besides the pros and cons.

Recently, I submitted my latest novel for an audio audition. It sounds simple but often, choosing the right narrator is more complicated than you think.

First, you need to determine if having your book available in audio is worth it—people like choices, and as I mentioned before, audio sales are climbing.

Second, how expensive are audio production? And third, how do I choose a narrator that’s right for my story.

To answer the first question, millions of readers subscribe to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

Audio production may sound expensive and, in some cases, can be when you factor in the number of narrators for one project and the book’s length.

Still, with audio services such as ACX and DIY audio narration, you can minimize the cost through shared expenses and home production studios.

Now that we’ve covered all the primary details let’s talk about who we want to act out the character’s story through audio.

The first step is listening to audio auditions to get a feel of who will be the best fit for your project. Inflection is ideal if not necessary. You’ll want someone who can make the characters come to life by the sound of the reader’s voice.

Details are important and reflected in how well the reader can take on the persona of the characters.

Audio quality is another factor. Beware of background noise and other interference. Any professional performer understands the audition is just as important, if not more, than the finished project.

Most audiobooks are produced in a studio setting so, if searching for freelanced performances, then develop a checklist of what’s expected from the narrator.

When choosing a narrator, you should acquaint yourself with the different performance styles and techniques. Notice how well they deliver throughout the audition and if they meet all your expectations.

Remember, who you hire to read your story is a reflection of how well you’ve done your homework before the hiring process.

Once you’ve made the final decision, there is no going back or changing lanes in the process. So, be very sure that you’ve made the right choice in narrators. The result will be all you’ll need.