The Audiobook Speakeasy Podcast

Episode 90: Melissa Moran

My guest tonight is audiobook narrator and life coach Melissa Moran!

Melissa describes how a career in radio morphed into full-time audiobook narration, and how an event that rocked the narrator community in 2020 led her into life coaching. She then tells me about her coaching practice, and how life coaching is a bit like untangling necklaces. All this and more over some Truly strawberry lemonade hard seltzer and a Bitterscotch!

You can find Melissa's acting website at https://www.melissamoran.com, and her coaching website at https://www.melissacoaches.com.  

 

Episode 89: Will Damron and Reba Buhr

My guests tonight are narrators and co-founders of the Narrator Alliance, Will Damron and Reba Buhr!

Will shares his background in acting and audiobook narration, and then Reba and I spend a bit too much time talking about our alma mater, Occidental College, before she explains her introduction into the audiobook world. Then they describe the events that led up to the creation of the Narrator Alliance, and the purpose and structure of the meetings. All this over a Vieux Carré, a Kentucky Corpse Reviver, and some sparkling Gatorade!

You can find the Narrator Alliance at https://narratoralliance.org, Will Damron at @jwdamron, and Reba Buhr at @rebubuhr on Twitter and @reba.buhr on Instagram.

Episode 88: Erin Moon

Tonight's guest is Canadian (and U.S.!) narrator and narration coach Erin Moon!

Erin tells me about her moves in Canada and the U.S., how she got her start in the audiobook world on the other side of the mic, and how she ended up in British Columbia, concentrating on audiobook narration. Then Erin describes her role at On The Mic Training and how she approaches audiobook narration coaching. All this over some cool, clear, Canadian water and a White Negroni!

You can find Erin at https://www.erinmoonactor.com, and on social media at @mooneybooks.

Episode 87: Will Dages

My guest tonight is Will Dages of Findaway Voices!

Will and I discuss the changes that have happened at Findaway Voices since he was last here at the Speakeasy almost four years ago. Will then tells me all about Marketplace, the newest venture at FV, including a walk-through of an audiobook production using Marketplace tools. All this and more over some tea and a Spicy Paloma!

You can find Findaway Voices at https://findawayvoices.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/findawayvoices, and on Twitter and Instagram at @FindawayVoices; they also have a club on Clubhouse.

Episode 86: The Two Emilys

My guests tonight are narrators Emily Lawrence and Emily Ellet!

Emily and Emily stopped in to talk about the Professional Audiobook Narrators Association (PANA). They tell me about the roles that they played in creating the organization, how it's structured, and what's required for membership. All this and more over a Paper Plane, Emily Lawrence's favorite beverage (water), and a La Croix!

You can find the Professional Audiobook Narrators Association at https://www.pronarrators.org, and all over social media at @pronarrators.

Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: https://squeakycheeseproductions.com.  

Episode 85: Travis Baldree

Tonight's guest is Earphones-award winning narrator Travis Baldree!

Travis tells me how he went from programming video games to owning a video game production company, and his transition from that to audiobook narration. We also discuss his prolific work in genre fiction, progression fantasy, and gamelit. All this over some Nikka Coffey Malt Whiskey and a Manhattan Sunset!

You can find Travis at https://travisbaldree.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TravisBaldreeNarrator, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TravisBaldree.

Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at https://squeakycheeseproductions.com.  

Episode 84: Natalie Naudus

Tonight's guest is prolific narrator (and TikTok phenom!) Natalie Naudus!

Natalie tells me why she suddenly pivoted from being a rising opera star to an audiobook narrator. She also tells me how she was able to narrate in the middle of a construction zone for over a year with some great pre-planning, and describes one of the most unique, natural solutions I've ever heard of to a problem that has plagued many a narrator, including me. (We were interrupted by an internet connection dying, but don't worry, I edited out all but a few seconds of the downtime.) All this and more over a bourbon and soda and a Jenny's Vanilla Cosmo!

To find Natalie online, just search for her by name.

Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: https://squeakycheeseproductions.com/. 

Episode 83: Guy Oldfield

I'm joined tonight by Guy Oldfield, Senior Director at Macmillan Audio!

Guy tells me about his unusual path to audiobooks, which includes stints in various journalism roles and live music production. He also shares with me some challenges in audiobook production, and talks about how important it is to know when to ask for help. All this and more over a PBR and a Henry Hotspur's Hard-pressed for Cider!

You can find Macmillan Audio at https://us.macmillan.com/audio, and narrators can reach them at narrators@macmillan.com. 

Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: https://squeakycheeseproductions.com.

Episode 82: Lydia Rella

Tonight's guest is the founder of the Aural Fixation romance audiobook fan group on Facebook, Lydia Rella!

Lydia tells me about being a voracious young reader, and her introduction into the romance genre at an early age. Then we discuss her motivation for creating a Facebook group for romance audiobook listeners, and what makes a romance audiobook great. All this and more over some coffee spiked with some boozy eggnog and some homemade spiced rum!

You can find Lydia at the Aural Fixation Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/auralfixationaudio, and on Twitter and Instagram at @auralfixationfb.

Tonight's speakeasy chat is brought to you by David Stever's Raven Rain, narrated by Bill Lord: https://www.audible.com/pd/Raven-Rain-A-Johnny-Delarosa-Thriller-Audiobook/B08NN8SB2B.  

Episode 81: Elishia Merricks

My guest tonight is independent audiobook producer and director Elishia Merricks!

Elishia describes how her focus changed from acting to directing during her time at Royal Holloway (the university, not the prison). Elishia then describes how she found her way into the world of audiobooks after a move across the pond. All this and more over an English Garden riff and a French Laundry!

You can find Elishia at http://www.englishgirlinnewyork.org, on Twitter at @elishia_e, and on Instagram at @elishiasbooks.n.bobs and @elishia.in.newyork.

Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.

Tonight's episode is also brought to you by David Stever's Raven Rain, narrated by Bill Lord: https://www.audible.com/pd/Raven-Rain-A-Johnny-Delarosa-Thriller-Audiobook/B08NN8SB2B.