Audiobooks & Narration: Paying Jobs!

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This group is BUSINESS...where are the jobs today that pay narrators? Who has these jobs? What are the sources we might contact with a demo to get narration jobs? Sure, we can talk about narration techniques too...

Website: http://www.voicesvoices.com
Location: Dallas TX
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Latest Activity: May 14

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A thought from Bettye.... You are entering the PUBLISHING INDUSTRY. Learn about it!

You must have a killer audio book demo to get paying work in this field especially from PUBLISHERS. You also must separate jobs you do on your own in your home studio from voicing for publishers, often in their studios. When you read for publishers, the pay is better and you often don't do the audio engineering. Mostly, they prefer readers in their own studios. The audio book jobs advertised on the online pay to play sites are usually from vanity publishers or the authors themselves or for other reasons...not publishing house jobs. Know the difference. And get used to the fact that audio books usually pay for THE FINISHED AUDIO HOUR. How long will it take you to get one finished audio hour that is perfect? That depends....could be two studio hours could be twenty studio hours with you engineering and voicing it too! Be very cautious on your price bidding.
Bettye Zoller

Discussion Forum

How do you get hired most often to narrate audio book type projects? Do not name names please.

Started by Bettye Zoller. Last reply by Karen Carson Apr 24. 5 Replies 0 Likes

Please speak "generically," i.e., say "my agent' or 'three publishers who use me' or 'one or two online sites.' Just explain how your jobs come to you mostly. How did you reach those job sources? By…Continue

The Search for the "Right" Talent Agent

Started by Jeff Hagedorn. Last reply by Bettye Zoller Oct 24, 2012. 2 Replies 0 Likes

Like most voice talent, I've currently got a handful of agents who keep me fairly busy on a weekly basis with auditions. Most of these auditions are for commercial work. While my goal is to build…Continue

Tags: Promo, Audiobooks, Narration

What are your experiences with Audiobook Creation Exchange, ACX?

Started by Bettye Zoller. Last reply by Bettye Zoller Oct 24, 2012. 2 Replies 0 Likes

Mine are excellent~let's hear about you!Continue

Adobe Audition and breath reduction

Started by Chuck Burke. Last reply by Kent Jones Aug 6, 2012. 8 Replies 0 Likes

Aloha! Does anyone have any suggestion on how to automate breath reduction in Adobe Audition?I'm working on my first audio book, and today I spent 8 hours on 15 pages....a lot of it on eliminating…Continue

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Comment by Tom Conklin on January 20, 2013 at 11:07pm: Hi Bettye,

Thanks for th invite to the group. Sorry I was a bit slow to respond. I have been kicking around the idea of doing audiobooks...and was even offered a job by someone recently on ACX. It was a royalty share job...and I was hesitant to take it because the book wasn't selling ton of hard copies...and I honestly wasn't sure if I was ready to take the project on. At first I thought it might be a good practice gig...but I donlt think that would have been fair to th author, who obviously deserves a professional job. So... I am basically in the research and learning phase of audiobooks right now. If that qualifies me to be intis group...then I gladly accept. I certainly can't think of a better group of folks to learn from.

Thanks,

Tom Conklin

Comment by Bettye Zoller on October 24, 2012 at 4:59pm: I have gotten three offers to narrate audio books but have said "no" because subject matter was unsuitable. I did not audition for these books. The publishers or authors heard me on ACX or on other books and wanted me. Flattering though....

Comment by Bettye Zoller on October 24, 2012 at 4:57pm: My latest audio book narration job is "Rebooting in Beverly Hills" a fun novel about an over-50 lady rejoining the dating world in Beverly Hills among the rich and famous. Fun fun. Give it a listen. Amazon, Audible, ITUNES.

Comment by Bettye Zoller on August 2, 2012 at 12:56am: congratulations to Kent Jones a FANTASTIC narrator on his new non fiction book. He's my student and a consumate pro and producer and I'm VERY PROUD of him.

Comment by Kent Jones on July 31, 2012 at 9:13pm: Just finished narrating the audiobook "Enduring Success - What We Can Learn From the History of Outstanding Corporations". Look for it on Amazon, iTunes, and Audible.com. Eager to do the next one!
http://www.amazon.com/Enduring-Success-History-Outstanding-Corporations/dp/B008PRAJS8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1343782511&sr=8-2&keywords=enduring+success+what+we+can+learn+from+the+history+of+outstanding+corporations

Comment by Bettye Zoller on June 22, 2012 at 10:39pm: I have said this before here, but bears repeating: Agents seldom book audio book gigs. You've got to submit your demo to publishers and also try to get work from authors too. It's a self owned, entrepreneureal business just as is most of the voiceover world.

Comment by Bettye Zoller on June 16, 2012 at 12:35am: There is a world of difference between working in audio books in the NYC area or on the East coast or in Hollywood and in the midwest or southern US. At Voice 2012 there was a discussion of narration, the panel composed of national voices, with little of relevance to those not living and working in NYC mostly. Realize that we who have to interest publishers but do not reside in their city have a different job scenario to cope with. Of course, now, with ACX, that wonderful site that is the leveler of playing fields, everything has changed. If you're not auditioning on ACX, you should be. I've gotten so many books to do off that site that I had to stop auditioning temporarily as have to finish the ones I've signed contracts on before accepting more. I'll be ready to do other books starting in late July. It's wonderful to be wanted. And my books are union stipend books too because I'm union. Yippee.

Comment by Channe Nolen on March 22, 2012 at 3:56pm: Hello Everyone, what recording software is best to use for narrating audio books. Looking for one that is quick and easy for fixing mistakes during the read or after . . . and for tracking characters voices. Other than Pro Tools. Thanks Channe

Comment by cathi parrish on March 19, 2012 at 7:35pm: Just a big hello to you Bettye... I haven't had a chance to meet you but have enjoyed receiving information from several of your webinars... Unfortunately, my scheduled usually doesn't accommodate them so I don't get a chance to interact... But thanks for all you do!