How to Be an AudioBook Narrator | Interview

[@Sasha0927]

"The harder you work, the luckier you get." That's a word for me. I appreciated the encouragement.

[@dantasticguy5435]

Being sincere and genuine! Thank you!

[@BethBurns68]

Thank you, Bill and Tom. I'm just starting out and I'm also a teacher, so audio books may be something for me to consider. :)

[@mediamannaman]

I think I’m older than both of you (I’m 63) and I’m just getting started doing audiobook narration. Its really fun! I sure hope that you are right, and that it is possible to make a profitable full-time job of this. So far all that I can seem to get chosen for on ACX are royalty-only jobs for low-ranked books. They are great for getting experience, but they don’t pay. I’m starting to get discouraged.

[@gerryconwayvoice]

If you choose to do Audio books, I wish you all the success in the world, brother. But unless the author is successful, with previous work published and AUDIO BOOKS sold, I strongly recommend to NEVER take a royalty gig for an audio book. Why? Because even if the author sells 500 Kindle or paperback or hardcover versions, the royalties depend ONLY ON the audio sales. You're looking at a LOT of work doing the recording and editing, with zero guarantee of return. And even if you DO get a return on audio book sales, they will come weeks, months, or even years later.

[@roverdover4449]

I think I've heard 3 books he's done. He's amazing.

[@aaronholly3128]

What a positive conversation and inspiration from two very talented people. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@gerryconwayvoice]

I have done ONE audio book back in 2015, and was contracted for a second one at the end of 2015... I was paid an advance of 3500 USD after I did the first chapter. The story was SO DULL that halfway through chapter two I refunded 100% of the client's money. There was absolutely no way I was going to endure another 8 hours of reading and another 20 hours of editing that project. Since then I have stuck with projects that are most of the time less than a minute, and at most 30 minutes. I promised myself 5½ years ago that I will never, ever EVER record another audio book, and I regret nothing of my decision.

[@kdearcangelis72165]

Great info! How do you mostly get your work?

[@gerryconwayvoice]

@@kdearcangelis72165 I have a long list of clients who continually hire me, and I also do auditions on pay for play.

[@clau9381]

Hi, Gerry! You're my hero! I am a Spanish voice actor, who has been tempted to record audiobooks, but I have that feeling that you talk about that can be very tedious. Your experience has opened my eyes and will take the idea out of my head. As you mentioned, what I enjoy the most is with texts that last 30 minutes at most. On the other hand, your comment has discovered a spectacular Voice Over! I love your work and your style of narrating, which in a way is my style in Spanish. I have subscribed to your channel and will follow your work. It has been a real pleasure to discover you! May you continue to have a lot of work and success! All the best!

[@gerryconwayvoice]

@@clau9381 Shalom, Jose! I wish you peace, long life, blessings, and success! HalleluYAH!

[@clau9381]

@@gerryconwayvoice 🙏🏼🙏🏼🤩🤩

[@gregwooten7892]

Great to see 2 familiar faces (and hear 2 familiar voices) together again!

[@e.kerubo706]

Thank you Bill & Tom.

[@rushluvr]

I am listening to Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki 20th Anniversary Edition narrated by Tom Parks. Well done and enjoying it!

[@shirleycurlywurly]

I am excited for the possibilities! 🙂 Thank you both so much 🙌🏽 Bill and Tom 🙌🏽

[@millersonthemove8555]

Ok--so I'm new in the VO world and did my first audiobook a couple of weeks ago. My gosh the ACX standards made me lose my mind. The client wanted all breaths removed--no problem--but then ACX rejected because of the noise floor--too much silence. Is there a class you offer on how to deal with things like breaths , while also passing the ACX requirements? I honestly wanted to throw my computer out of the window--and I totally have turned down further audio books because I feel like I just can't get them right!!!

[@kdearcangelis72165]

Really looking forward to Tom's Class!

[@SkippityFlippity]

Ive paid for the course but haven't been sent a link or anything. Once I processed payment it took me to a page with an additional course offer that's all.

[@JessicaLHyten]

This is so encouraging!

[@repalmore]

My first hard drive was 40mb and cost around $1500 which was about half the cost of the computer, an 8088. Wow, that makes me feel so old.

[@betzy7514]

Will the content from this class be added to the DeWees Members area?

[@ThinBlueLaneRVLife]

Thank you for another great video

[@boledle]

I've done 25 audiobooks and while I've enjoyed some money from it, it's honestly not worth the level of effort

[@oveezy2859]

16:30 👍🏽

[@stepparentingmadeeasy]

You did a great redd imitation

[@kevinlawrence8580]

Look I'm confused. On one hand they say you need a good voice. Then they say you need to be a good communicator. Do these people tell you this as more of a sales technique or what?

[@marlonbraccia4785]

Keith Lawrence, If I can, I'd like to try to clarify. Being a good communicator, means being able to tell a story in an interesting way. One never wants to feel as if the narrator is reading or is monotone, too fast, bored, uninteresting. Being a good communicator is about drawing the listener in. Now, on to defining what is meant with "good voice": Formerly, it was about the tone, depth, pitch and resonance--think radio DJ. Less and less voices that sound like announcers or "the voice of God' type voices are what is being booked. The common knowledge in the voice over industry is that ordinary sounding voices can work in the industry and increasingly do so. It's how the voice industry has evolved. Therefore, having that tremendously resonate, deep or authoritative-sounding voice ("good voice") that was required in decades gone by, is no longer needed to succeed. One does however need to learn a variety of other voice skills. So for instance, no plosives or mouth clicks, dental whistles or too much sibilance. There is also mic technique, speed, articulation, breath, understanding copy, and more. In this scenario, that is what makes the new "good voice".

[@kevinlawrence8580]

Thanks for your clarification

[@JeffC-fq1be]

Two words: Frank Muller.