I Landed My First Audiobook Gig - Now What?

Congratulations on booking your first audiobook; we are celebrating you! But this can feel a bit overwhelming. Audiobook narration is much more than simply reading a book; it takes the art of storytelling, technical skill, and endurance. 

Whether you’re new to the world of narration or transitioning from another area of voice work or acting, the process requires thoughtful preparation, focus, and commitment.

Here are some tips to help you confidently tackle your first audiobook project, from prepping your script to taking care of yourself during recording.

1. Start with Clear Communication

Set the tone for a successful collaboration before you even start recording. Clear communication with the author, publisher, or production team can help ensure everyone knows the expectations and deadlines. 

Set the Tone for Success:

• Confirm Deadlines: Review the audiobook’s expected length and compare it to the word count. Based on this, give a realistic deadline. It takes approximately 5-7 hours to record 1 finished hour (ask us how Pozotron can help you reduce that time). Communicate immediately any issues that arise during the process that may delay a deadline.
• Understand the Deliverables: Be sure you understand the format in which they expect the audio files to be delivered and how to deliver them. This may involve uploading MP3s to a producer on a platform like ACX or FTP File Transfer.
• Clarify Boundaries: Be upfront about your time. If you will be out of the office or unavailable for some time, communicate this to your team so they aren’t waiting on you.

• Send a Welcome Packet: Include your preferred communication channels, an outline of your process, and what they can expect during the process.
• Request Information: Since you work directly with the author, you could request pronunciation guides, character notes, or additional thoughts that might influence your performance. Pozotron’s collaboration features make it easy to get on the same page with your author!

2. Prep the Script Thoroughly

Proper script prep ensures that you’re not just reading words but delivering a story that engages listeners and ensures you are ready for the twists and turns.

Steps for Effective Prep:

• Read the Entire Book: Don’t skip this step! You need to know the whole story before you start. This will help you understand character development, emotional beats, plot twists, and character voice choices may evolve as you get to know them throughout the novel.
• Highlight Difficult Words: Identify unfamiliar words, names, and locations. Tools like Pozotron’s Pronunciation Research Tool can save hours of manual research by providing pronunciations and highlighting the words in the script.
• Markup Your Script: You can use highlighting or notes to mark character voices, emotional tones, and pacing notes. This visual aid helps you stay consistent during recording. Pozotron’s Script Prep Tools can highlight character names and your pronunciation research guide words.

3. Send a Checkpoint and Communicate Questions

Before you start your recording, you may be asked to send a checkpoint. A checkpoint is a section of the narration, usually around 15 minutes, that ensures you are aligned on the choices you intend to make, such as character voices, pacing, and tone. These are almost always required for an Indie audiobook, but some publishers also request them.

What to Include in Your Checkpoint:

• Well-Thought-Out Character Choices: When creating voices for characters, aim for sustainable choices that you can maintain throughout the audiobook. Make choices based on the text, not because you think it’s a fun voice. Never give an accent unless the book specifies the character has that accent or is requested by the author.
• Natural Pacing: Ensure your pacing suits the story’s tone. For example, a tense thriller may call for a slightly faster pace at times, while a heartfelt romance might benefit from a slower, more reflective delivery.
• Choose a Good Section(s): Many times, the checkpoint is referred to as the “First 15 Minutes.” However, choosing a section(s) later in the book might better indicate the overall pacing, tone, and main characters. The first 15 minutes are often not a good indicator of the entire book.

Asking the Right Questions:

This is also when you ask your author or rights holder any questions to continue the narration.

• Pronunciations: If you still have questions after doing your research, you should reach out for clarification. If there are words you cannot find or have multiple pronunciations for, you want to ensure you are on the same page before the recording starts.
• Omitting Footnotes or Charts: If your book has footnotes, charts, images, or other items that are hard to narrate, ensure you know what you should include and omit. This comes up often in Non-Fiction. 

4. Prepare Yourself Physically and Mentally

Audiobook narration is a demanding process that requires endurance, focus, and vocal strength. Taking care of yourself before and during recording is as important as preparing the script.

Tips for Physical Preparation:

• Hydrate in Advance: Drink plenty of water for a few days before recording. Proper hydration keeps your voice smooth and prevents strain, and it starts long before you get in the booth.
• Avoid Irritants: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and dairy products that might dry out or irritate your throat. Over time, you will learn to know your body and what helps and hurts your voice. 
• Warm-up: Prepare your voice with vocal exercises. Gentle humming, lip trills, or tongue twisters can improve clarity and resonance.
• Get Plenty of Rest: Narrating on little sleep can affect your voice and focus. Make rest a priority.

5. Take Breaks for Focus and Consistency

You may have heard that narrating an audiobook is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking regular breaks helps maintain both focus and vocal endurance. Pushing through fatigue can lead to mistakes, lower sound quality, and uneven tone in your narration.

Break Tips:

• Plan for Short Breaks Every 30-60 Minutes: These pauses give your voice a chance to rest and prevent strain. Find the cadence that works best for your voice.
• Stretch and Move: Take breaks to stretch or briefly walk around, especially if you've been sitting or standing for long periods. This helps improve circulation and keep your mind sharp.
• Stay Consistent with Tone and Energy: Listen to a few previous lines before returning to recording. This can help ensure your tone and energy remain consistent throughout the audiobook.

6. Don’t Stress About Perfection – Use Tools to Help

It’s normal to feel nervous about making mistakes during recording. Misreads happen to every narrator, no matter their experience level. Instead of worrying, focus on tools and resources to help you produce a polished final product. 

Tools to Help You Succeed:

• Pozotron for Proofing: Tools like the Pozotron Proofing Tool can help you catch misreads, pronunciation errors, and other inconsistencies that may occur during narration. 

• Ignore the Number. When you get your “pickups” back, don’t stress about the number of misreads; it’s just a number, and every book will differ (pickups refer to the list your proofer sends you of any misreads).

• Be Patient with Yourself: Narration is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t let small mistakes shake your confidence. For more tips on avoiding errors, check out Tips for Avoiding Misreads as an Audiobook Narrator.

7. Embrace the Learning Curve

Your first audiobook will likely take longer than you expected, and that’s okay! Audiobook narration is a specialized skill that grows with practice. Each project is an opportunity to learn, develop your style, and improve.

• Reflect After Each Session: Take notes on what worked and where you’d like to improve. Over time, these notes will help you refine your process.
• Seek Feedback: Consider asking a mentor or experienced fellow narrator for feedback on your first project. This can help you identify strengths and areas for growth, setting you up for future success.
• Rinse and Repeat: Get back out there and start auditioning for your next project!

8. Enjoy the Journey

Congratulations! You’ve completed your first audiobook—such an accomplishment! Use this experience to build a strong foundation for future work, and remember—every narrator was once a beginner.

With each project, you’ll develop new skills, gain confidence, and refine your unique voice. So enjoy the journey, embrace the learning process, and before you know it, you’ll be on stage accepting that Audie!

Ready to kickstart your audiobook narration journey with confidence? Book a demo with us today and discover how Pozotron’s powerful tools can help you prep scripts, ensure consistency, and elevate your performance.