The Audiobook Speakeasy Podcast

Tonight's guest in the Speakeasy is author, audiobook director, and narration coach Paul Alan Ruben! Fresh from his recent appearance as a presenter at Johnny Heller's New England Narrator Retreat, Paul and I discuss his theatrical roots and how he went from performer to director and on to audiobook director, as well as his latest creative endeavor, his new book "Terms Of Engagement." Paul also talks about how a "nice voice" can work against a narrator, and shares a wealth of information about connecting with listeners. All this over a tiny glass of wine and a Tom Collins! You can find Paul online at http://www.tribecaaudio.com and http://www.paulalanruben.com, and you can find him on Twitter at @paul_alan_ruben. Tonight's episode of The Audiobook Speakeasy is brought to you by https://audiobookreviewer.com and https://audiobookwormpromotions.com. 

My guest in the Speakeasy tonight is the founder and editor of Audiofile Magazine, Robin Whitten! Robin describes how she started Audiofile Magazine back in 1992 as a newsletter sent to library patrons with 25 audiobook reviews a month, and how it's grown into a magazine with 80,000 subscribers and 50 reviews a week. Robin and I also discuss how the audiobook industry has changed over the past 26 years, how to submit an audiobook to Audiofile for review, and the new Audiofile Magazine podcast, Behind The Mic. All this and more over some Dewar's Scotch and a rum margarita! You can find Audiofile Magazine online at https://www.audiofilemagazine.com, and on Twitter at @AudioFileMag.

My guest tonight is Dori Scholer, a Clinical Instructor in the University of Arizona Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinics! Dori describes her shift from a career as a music scholar and performer to a career helping people with vocal problems (and helping to prevent those problems from occurring!). Dori shares helpful information for warming up the vocal apparatus, how to care for it when illness strikes, and proper breathing technique. All this over some herbal tea and a rusty nail! You can find the University of Arizona Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinics at http://slhs.arizona.edu/speech-and-language-clinics; Dori's page can be found at http://slhs.arizona.edu/people/dori-scholer-dma-ms-cf-slp. You can also find Dori on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Dori-M-Scholer-Soprano-358150814931/. If you'd like to contact Dori about vocal issues or performance coaching, you can send her an email at dorimariesmith@gmail.com. Tonight's episode of The Audiobook Speakeasy is brought to you by The Audiobook Reviewer (https://audiobookreviewer.com) and The Audiobookworm (https://audiobookwormpromotions.com).

My guest in the Speakeasy tonight is Caitlin Garing, Executive Producer at Harper Audio! Caitlin and I talk about how her education in journalism accidentally led to a career in audiobooks instead, and the different roles she's had at Harper Audio. Caitlin also talks about the production process at Harper, and shares some words of wisdom for narrators from her years dealing with us. All this over a virgin Sriracha Mule and a Thanksgiving Manhattan! You can find Caitlin on Twitter at @CaitlinGaring. And you can find Harper Audio at http://www.harperaudio.com/.  

My guest tonight is narrator, narration coach, and fellow podcast host James Anderson Foster! James talks about the various jobs that he's had over the years (he was a monk!) and how he got his narration business off the ground quickly through a combination of talent and luck. James and I also discuss his podcast, Sorcerous, and his approach to coaching narrators in the art of creating characters. All this and more over a Bloody Mary and an Italian-Indian Martini! You can find James online at https://jamesnarrates.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @jamesnarrates. For James's coaching, visit https://fosteringcharacters.com. Our sponsor for this episode is Jess the Audiobookworm. Visit https://audiobookwormpromotions.com/narrator-resource-guide/ to learn about Jess's Narrator Resource Guide, and get $10 off with the promo code COCKTAILS.

My guest tonight is former Bee Audio casting director Jackie Rosenfeld! Jackie and I discuss her unusual childhood as a military brat that didn't have to move every two years, and her drama education on a 10-year plan. Jackie also talks about how she became the casting director at one of the largest audiobook production companies in the world, Bee Audio, and how important it is to know your strengths -- and weaknesses -- when communicating with casting directors. All this over a whiskey and ginger (an Irish mule!) and a Tom Collins! You can find Jackie online at https://jackierosenfeld.com, and you can contact her at jackierosenfeld@gmail.com.

My guest tonight is award-winning audiobook narrator, game designer, and website designer Andrea Emmes Cenna! Andrea and I talk about how her successful career as a stage performer and vocalist was cut short by an injury sustained during a stunt show. Andrea describes her journey through songwriting, game design, and, finally, audiobook narration after that life-changing event, and how she came to be a website designer specializing in sites for audiobook narrators. All this and much more over an Aviation and a Smirnoff Ice! You can find Andrea online at https://www.andreaemmes.com, on Twitter at @aemmes, and on Instagram at @aemmesnarrator. And you can find Andrea's website design work at http://www.andreaemmesdesigns.com. Please visit our show sponsor, The Audiobook Reviewer, at https://audiobookreviewer.com.  

My guest tonight is fellow narrator AND podcast host, Marnye Young! Marnye talks about her theatrical training -- including an entire year spent studying the works of The Bard -- and the natural progression from stage craft to audiobook narration with the arrival of twins. Marnye and I also discuss how she came to host the Silverton Audio Presents podcast, and the importance of persistence and remembering your successes on a journey that has many ups and downs. All this over a Café Bustelo and a glass of Arizona Stronghold Nachise! You can find Marnye online at http://www.marnyeyoung.com, on Twitter at @AudioSorceress, and on Instagram at @marnyeyoung. 

Keith Reynolds, founder of Spoke Media, discusses his transition from music composition to audiobook and podcast production. He shares his experiences performing in front of thousands, his move into podcast production, and recommendations for home studio setups. Topics include career transitions, audiobook production challenges, and the importance of preparation in narration.

My guest tonight in the Speakeasy is author Dawn Chapman! Dawn talks about growing up in the country north of Liverpool, and continuing to pursue her writing passion despite a lack of support from some educators. Dawn and I also discuss her experiences getting her books produced as audiobooks, and what makes that process go smoothly. All this over some Jura 10-year Scotch whisky and a classic (London dry!) gin and tonic! You can find Dawn online at https://dawnchapmanauthor.com, on Twitter at @kanundra, and on Instagram at @kanundra_.