The Audiobook Trail

Inspired by a Dear John note from a curious listener, John expounds on the theatre, and how experience on the stage (or off of it) can greatly enhance an audiobook performer's skill set - and for a bargain price.  Also, A.I. has crept onto the campus, raising many questions.  Is academia preparing us to serve computers someday?  Or is it motivated by outright laziness?  You decide.

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We open the Dear John mailbag this week with a message from a narrator who recently turned in his first-ever audiobook recording...only to be met later with a big batch of pickups - mistakes that need to be re-recorded.  Oh, the shame!  But wait - John assures us that all is well, and offers some survival tips, including one bonus pro tip that every narrator needs to know.  Also, find out who John almost ran into at an LA studio, a...

"Aw, it's non-fiction.  Piece of cake!"  This is a common narration misconception, and on today's excursion down the Trail, John explains why.  He'll offer some tips, describe the great benefits of non-fiction done right, and come clean about a disastrous project from the past.  Also in news, libraries are beefing up their audio selections.  And if that isn't enough, John drops a spoon.

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It's inevitable.  Girls will show-up in the text, and they will do - and say - stuff.  How does a male narrator navigate those waters effectively?  And what of the reverse?  John offers some tips, including something you should never do.  Also, a knightly sighting at the Audies®, and - are audiobook fans embracing the streaming model?  

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Serials are great...but being a narrator within an audiobook universe?  It's pretty awesome.  John shares his excitement about having such a privilege, along with a word of caution for fellow storytellers.  Also, as he recaps the big winners of the 2024 Audie Awards®, John chats about what seems to be an annual observation about who wins.  And finally, a shoutout about the ERB, Inc. universe, and a couple of very fine authors ...

It's one of the most powerful tools in the authors' kit.  But how can the audiobook performer unlock the power of metaphor into the recording?  It takes lots of practice, and today John will offer some ideas.  Also - more Trail history is made!  For the first time, you can watch the ride as well as listen.  And finally, baseball fans are seeing more of the game in ways they don't expect...or likely want. 

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Sometimes, the polished "final" manuscript you receive as a narrator isn't as shiny as it appears.  Is true book editing a lost art?  Today, John gives a few examples of errors in manuscripts that have become all-too-common, and how to handle them with audio publishers and their proofers.  Also - while he's on the subject - John rather awkwardly asks for a job.

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John's finally ready to start the new year (85% anyway) - and so on today's ride, we're talking recovery...specifically, the completely disgusting topic of clearing the remnants of illness from the vocal instrument.  And the one technique that you should never, ever use - if you can help it.  Also, John found a great message in the Dear John inbox about noise floors...but is silence always golden?

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Making sure it's right - that's what proofing an audiobook recording is all about.  On today's ride, John talks a bit about this very important part of the audiobook lifecycle.  Also, this week saw an historic goodbye Kiss in New York...but was it REALly?  The line between modern technology and entertainment continues to vanish, and John shares his thoughts.  And those of Captain Kirk, of course.

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