The Audiobook Speakeasy Podcast

My guests tonight are Julie Wilson and Dan Zitt from Penguin Random House! Julie and Dan discuss the genesis and evolution of AHAB, one of the tools that PRH audiobook producers use for casting. They also discuss some of the changes to AHAB that were recently implemented, and talk about their vision for AHAB going forward. All this over a virgin Mojito, some Basil Hayden's bourbon, and a Soleil! You can find Julie on Twitter and Instagram at @JuliannaNWilson, and you can find Dan at http://www.danzitt.com and on Twitter at @RealDanZitt. Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.

My guest tonight is Jane Love, one of two chief negotiators of audiobook contracts with SAG-AFTRA! Jane tells me about how she ended up in a long and happy career with SAG-AFTRA instead of the career in journalism she'd planned. We then discuss how the union came to be more active in the audiobook world, and some of the benefits of union membership. All this over a Gold Rush and some water -- that's replaced with a Quarantine Cooler immediately after the interview! You can find information about SAG-AFTRA at https://www.sagaftra.org, and about the union's health insurance plans at https://www.sagaftraplans.org. And you can contact Jane directly at jane.love@sagaftra.org. Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com. 

My guest tonight is audiobook narrator and business coach Emily Lawrence! Emily describes her pivot late in her college career from stage to film/tv acting, followed quickly by a pivot into audiobooks. Emily and I also discuss the changes she's seen on ACX over the years, her audiobook business coaching, and how LARPing resulted in Cardinal Richelieu marrying a ninja assassin. All this and more over a Perfect Martini and some cool, clear water. You can find Emily online at https://www.emilylawrence.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/emilylawrence.actor, and on Twitter at @EmilyLawr. Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.

My guest tonight is audio producer extraordinaire "Uncle Roy" Yokelson! Uncle Roy tells me how sound has always been a passion of his, and how he made that passion a career when he got into music and other audio production. Roy also talks about what to look for in a good voiceover demo producer, and what his process is for creating a "killer demo." All this and more over an Egg Cream and a Salty Dog! You can find Uncle Roy at http://www.antlandproductions.com and on Twitter at @antland.

Joining me in the Speakeasy tonight is long-time narrator Oliver Wyman! Oliver tells me about getting into both voice acting in general and audiobooks specifically after meeting Paul Alan Ruben (a guest here in the Speakeasy back on episode 38), and shares some of his favorite books and characters from 20 years of narrating audiobooks. Ollie also talks about how great it is to get completely emotionally attached to the story you're telling, and explains why sometimes it's important to just "let the sentence go." All this and more over a whiskey sour and a caipirinha! You can find Oliver on Twitter at @MrKawfy, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mrkawfy. Tonight's Audiobook Speakeasy chat is being brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.  

My guest tonight is audiobook engineer Michael J. Kinsey! Michael describes how important the drums were to him growing up, and how his experience digitizing music tapes helped open the door to audiobook engineering at Recording For The Blind And Dyslexic (now Learning Ally). Michael also talks about his approach to mastering an audiobook, and how important it is to get recording levels (not to mention your recording environment) right. All this over a shot of Patron tequila and a Tropical Lifesaver! You can find Michael on Twitter at @VOCommunity, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/michael.kinsey.2112, and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-kinsey2112/. Tonight's Audiobook Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.  

I'm joined tonight by actor, audiobook narrator, and narration coach Helen Lloyd! Helen talks about her early years as an actor and how she found her way into the audiobook world. Helen then describes her experience as Bee Audio's "UK Voice Wrangler," and how that eventually led to her coaching practice. And she does the entire interview with a British accent! All this and more over some Earl Grey tea, an elderflower and pressed pear cordial, and a Fancy Free! You can find Helen online at https://www.helenlloydaudio.com, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenlloydaudio/, and on Twitter and Instagram at @helenlloydaudio.  Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.

Tonight I'm joined by audiobook narrator and acting, narration, and career coach Elise Arsenault! Elise tells me about her acting journey, from George Mason University through Missoula Children's Theater, Washington, D. C., and regional theater in Boston. Elise then describes how audiobooks entered into her career mix, and explains her Power Group coaching process. All this and more over some Lenore Syrah and a Smoky Nail! You can find Elise at http://www.elisearsenault.com and https://www.theglobalactor.com; on Twitter at @eliseacts; and on Instagram at @elisearsenault.actor. You can find the Global Actor Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/globalactors/. Tonight's episode is being brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com. 

Tonight I'm speaking with my first returning guest, Steven Jay Cohen! I spoke with Steven back in episode 14 about his journey as a narrator and the founder of Listen 2 A Book, which became Spoken Realms. Tonight, we take a deep dive into the roots of Spoken Realms, what's been happening there lately, and what's on the horizon. Steven goes into details about how technology is affecting the audiobook landscape, and about the importance of following directions when applying to work with Spoken Realms -- and any other audiobook producers. All this over a vanilla porter and an Old Fashioned! You can find Steven at https://www.stevenjaycohen.com, and Spoken Realms at https://www.spokenrealms.com. Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.  

My guest tonight is lawyer, author, and audiobook producer and director Jessica Kaye! Jessica tells me how and why she got into the legal profession, and how it eventually led her to the audiobook world. Jessica also talks about what's in her book, The Guide to Publishing Audiobooks, and about the importance of audiobook-specific training for narrators. All this and more over some Cocobon red wine (a red blend that you can't see through!) and a Gibson! You can find Jessica online at http://kayemills.com and http://bighappyfamilyaudio.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jessicakaye and https://www.facebook.com/BigHappyFamilyAudio/, on Twitter at @jessicakayeesq, and on Instagram at @jessicak424. Tonight's episode brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions. On the cutting wedge, and on the web at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.