How to Narrate Your Audiobook Like a Pro
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Authors considering audiobook production all eventually face the same inevitable question: should I narrate the audiobook myself, or should I enlist the help of a professional?
It can be a tricky question, and the answer will differ for everyone. But there’s an important distinction to be made between reading a book aloud and narrating. Reading is, well, just that: speaking the words on the page aloud to a listener. Narrating uses the voice to pull the listener in and guide them through the author’s world. Put another way: narration is a performance, while reading is a recitation.
The qualities of the narration performance is most commonly informed by your book’s genre. Narrating fiction, for example, involves inhabiting the story, evoking images and emotions in the listener while breathing life into the events, settings, and characters described on the page. Nonfiction narration, on the other hand, communicates the passion and ideas that inspired the author to write the book in the first place — engaging the listener in the thrill of learning, growing, and expanding their world.
To learn how to narrate rather than recite, here are our tips for creating a professional-grade performance for your next audiobook:
Getting Started
An effective audiobook performance starts well before you activate your recording equipment.
First, ensure that you review your manuscript by reading it aloud in its entirety without recording. Though certain lines may read well on the page, you might be surprised at how difficult they are to enunciate when verbalized. Practice reciting those lines, or think about sharing them more conversationally. Mark any passages that you want to give special attention to. What key ideas or feelings do you want to resonate in a listener’s mind or heart?
The process of actually recording your book can also be mentally and physically taxing. Make sure that you’re well-rested, well-hydrated, and dressed comfortably for each recording session. Treating your throat to some ginger and/or lemon-infused tea prior to and during your session is another way of keeping your vocal cords sounding fresh and strong.
When booking a recording time, it’s worth considering if you are a morning or an evening person. When are you typically the most energetic and productive? Since audiobook narration is a performance, you should schedule your sessions for when you know you’ll be at your best.
Finally, let’s talk about the recording environment itself. Ensure that your gear and surroundings are optimized for prime recording quality. That means investing in a good microphone and headphones (we recommend a Samson Q2U mic and Audio-Technica ATH-M20X headphones) and locating the quietest, least reverberant space in your home. In general, the smaller the room, the better. A walk-in closet makes for a great sound booth!
Demystifying the Recording Process
Most folks have never been in a recording session, and it can be intimidating at first. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Everybody feels nervous coming into the first recording session. You’re not alone.
Mistakes are expected and nothing to worry about. Any errors disappear in the editing process, and nobody will ever know. (Wouldn’t it be nice to have a life editor?)
If you’re publishing your audiobook with FriesenPress, you are working with experienced, caring, and patient professionals. Breathe and rest easy knowing that we’ve got your back.
To get a sense of what the process is like, you should know that recording sessions typically run for 90 minutes. This is usually a comfortable length of time to narrate. If you prefer a longer or shorter session, that can always be arranged, but we don’t recommend more than one session per day. Some folks prefer at least a couple of days between sessions; it really comes down to your schedule and what’s most comfortable for you.
If you’re working with a producer to create your audiobook, their sole purpose is to help you create the best possible audiobook. A good producer will guide and support you through the entire recording process and have answers to any questions you may have about this unfamiliar new arena. They can be trusted and leaned on whenever you need them.
With more than 125 years of combined audio engineering and producing experience, the FriesenPress Audio team has the knowledge and expertise to finesse your setup, troubleshoot issues, and ensure your success.
Delivering Your Material
When beginning your recording session, your first and most important consideration is your audience. You wrote your book because you had a message to share — who do you want to share it with? Who needs to hear your message? While narrating, imagine sitting next to that person and sharing the passion, weight, and/or excitement that’s found on the page. Your story could change your listeners’ lives, and it’s a worthy investment to find the tone that delivers your material with maximum impact.
If gravitas isn’t your thing, you might find it helpful to imagine that you’re sharing your story with a loved one or your best friend. Imparting your heartfelt message to a person who really cares about you and your calling can help draw out your best.
Another aspect that’s often overlooked in the recording process is, surprisingly, the body. Although non-verbal communication cues are missing in an audio recording, that doesn’t mean they’re not crucial to your delivery. Listeners can hear the smile in your voice, feel the weight on your bent shoulders, and sense the energy of your gestures. Use your body to help convey your message.
Thankfully, you don’t have to sound like Morgan Freeman or Helen Mirren to connect with listeners. You only need to sound like you, and that’s because the best author-delivered audiobook performances are those that are the most authentic. If you’re passionate, fully present, and well prepared, your authenticity will shine through. So, relax, be yourself, and embody your story. Before you know it, you’ll be narrating like a professional.
