How to be a narrator for audio books- The audio way

Hey  everyone here i’m again with a  new  article title How to be a narrator for audio books- The audio way  simplyi will be telling you about how to do voices on  audiobooks  or be a narrator on the  children’s  audiobooks and how to prepared yourself for it.

How did it all began in the audio world               

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Audiobooks have a long and fascinating history. They first emerged in 1932 with the establishment of a recording studio by The American Foundation for the Blind, which created recordings of books on vinyl records. The following year, Congress passed an amendment that allowed the Library of Congress to begin producing audiobooks. The term “talking book” was used until the 1970s, when audiocassettes began to replace phonograph records and the term “audiobook” was established. The first audiobook recorded by a professional narrator was in 1952, when Dylan Thomas recorded some of his poetry. Since then, audiobooks have become more popular and diverse, with different styles of narration and genres.

Congress passed an amendment that allowed the Library of Congress to begin producing audiobooks.

Initial recordings included William Shakespeare plays, The Constitution and the novel “As the Earth Turns” by Gladys Hasty Carroll. More recording companies slowly emerged, mostly to assist the blind. In 1955, the Listening Library became a major distributor for recorded book.

New technology spurred audiobook growth with cassette tapes in the 1960s and compact discs in the 1980s. Waldenbooks installed “audio centers” in their bookstores and the publishing houses Random House, Warner Publishing and Simon & Schuster opened audio publishing divisions

What Is an Audiobook Narrator?

An audiobook narrator is a person who reads a book aloud and records it for listeners. An audiobook narrator may also be called a voice actor, a voice-over artist, or a narrator. An audiobook narrator’s job is to bring the book to life with their voice, expression, and emotion. An audiobook narrator may work for a publisher, an independent producer, or themselves.

An audiobook narrator is not a “he” or a “she”, but a profession that can be done by anyone who has the skills and the passion for it. An audiobook narrator reads books aloud and records them for listeners

What skills you need to be an audiobook narrator?

  • Practice reading out loud in a quiet, enclosed space, and study other narrators’ techniques. You should read with clarity, distinction, emotion, and pauses, and make it sound as if you are not reading.
  • Learn to breathe from your diaphragm instead of your chest, as this will help you control your voice and avoid vocal fatigue
  • Develop your skills in acting, languages, dialects, and research, as narration is an acting gig that requires embodying different characters and telling stories. You may also need to learn how to pronounce unfamiliar words or names.
  • Get a recording device and a microphone that can capture your voice quality and eliminate background noise. You may also need a pop filter, a stand, headphones, and editing software.
    1. . Practice your craft. Practice reading a book aloud at home. Record your practice sessions with professional recording software to help you refine the details of your performance. Create your own space for a casual home studio—perhaps in a closet where you can hang soundproof material on the walls to cut down on ambient noise. Consider investing in a professional microphone with a pop filter, which can soften distracting hard consonants in your speech. Listen to an audio file of your narration, and pay attention to your speech quirks so you can refine your cadence and articulation.
    2. . Study various audiobooks. Research and listen to a range of audiobooks featuring prominent or up-and-coming narrators in the field. Scrutinize their pacing, cadence, inflections, and other reading techniques. Studying how experienced narrators regulate their breathing and switch between different voices can inform your reading and performance techniques. Audiobooks can be pricey, so check online to see if your local library has any in stock that you can reserve. Some library systems have apps where you can stream specific audiobook titles for free.
    3.  Promote yourself. Most audiobook narrators work freelance, so you will need to promote yourself diligently to land new gigs. Start by making a website where you can host a voice-over demo to give potential clients a sample of your vocal style. A voice-over demo, or VO demo, is an audio compilation that voiceover artists use to showcase their abilities (and what casting directors use to connect voice actors with potential clients). An audiobook demo reel should showcase your talents and range of vocal skills, which will increase your chance of landing a paid role.
    4. . Apply for positions. Regularly search the postings on career websites for online casting calls. Any experience you can gain is valuable when you’re just starting out. Be wary of scams lurking in online job postings or pay-to-play sites that require a membership fee for auditions, and always research a potential position before accepting it.
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The pros and cons of doing audiobook narration

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Pros:

  • You can work from home and set your own schedule.
  • You can earn money by doing something you love and are good at.
  • You can learn new things from the books you read and expand your knowledge.
  • You can improve your voice skills and develop your vocal range, endurance, and expression.

Cons:                                                                                                                                                          

  • You may face high competition from other narrators and have to audition for many projects before landing one.
  • You may have to deal with low rates, long payment terms, or unfair contracts from some clients or platforms.
  • You may have to invest in high-quality equipment and software, as well as a soundproof studio, to produce professional recordings.
  • You may experience vocal fatigue, boredom, or isolation from working long hours alone

Conclusion

The conclusion of becoming an audiobook narrator is that it is a rewarding but challenging profession that requires a lot of skills, practice, and passion. It is not for everyone, but if you love reading books and click on all red links          amazon.com have a good voice, you may find it fulfilling and enjoyable.