July 19, 2020
My guest tonight is NYT, WSJ, and Audible #1 best-selling author Lauren Blakely!
Lauren tells me how she ended up in a career in journalism after majoring in art history, and how that eventually morphed into being a full-time author. Lauren goes on to describe her experiences getting almost all of her books (over 50 of them!) into audio, and the importance of being able to give a voice to characters who don't share your gender. All this and much more over some green tea and a Blue Moon!
You can find Lauren at https://laurenblakely.com, and on Twitter at @LaurenBlakely3.
Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.
July 5, 2020
My guest tonight is the founder of Elephant Audiobooks, Kenny Pappaconstantinou!
Kenny tells me how an education in music production at Berklee College of Music eventually led him into audiobook production, and how he came to found Elephant Audiobooks. Kenny also describes the importance of getting your home studio set up correctly, and not rushing the audition process. All this and more over A Terrible Idea (that's an IPA, not a poorly constructed cocktail) and a Spiced Rum Coco Martini!
You can find Elephant Audiobooks at https://elephantaudiobooks.com, and you can reach Kenny there at info@elephantaudiobooks.com. He's also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kennypmusic.
Tonight's Speakeasy chat is being brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.
June 21, 2020
My guest tonight is audiobook narrator and mentor Ann Richardson!
Ann describes the culture shock of moving from idyllic farm country in Nebraska to the San Francisco Bay Area, and how the economic crisis of 2008 led to a career re-evaluation and a move into voiceover. Ann also tells me about the classes she teaches at Voice One in San Francisco, the mentoring she does with new narrators, and the importance of investing in training and equipment. All this over some Amarula and a Toronto Cocktail!
You can find Ann at https://hersmoothvoice.com, on Twitter at @hersmoothvoice, and on Instagram (with Herbie!) at @ann_richardson_narrator. You can find information about her Voice One classes at https://www.voiceone.com.
Tonight's Audiobook Speakeasy episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.
June 7, 2020
My guest tonight is audiobook post-production engineer Chrissy Farrell!
Chrissy tells me how stage fright may have scuttled her on-air radio career aspirations, but the audio production skills she'd learned while pursuing her goals ended up landing her a job recording an audiobook. Chrissy then describes how that experience helped her land jobs at Audible Studios and then Hachette Book Group, what life is now like as an entrepreneur, and how she feels about some of the more "prickly" aspects of post-production, like breaths and pacing. All this and more over a Tart Deco Mangotango Sour IPA and a Brown Derby!
You can find Chrissy on Twitter and Instagram at @nycradiogirl, and by email at chrissy.farrell@gmail.com.
Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.
May 24, 2020
My guests tonight are partners in narration (and life!) Ralph Scott and Kendra Murray!
Ralph and Kendra tell me how they both eventually wound up in Petaluma, California, working on radio plays, and how their love of theater led to a very unique wedding experience. We also discuss their approach to dual and duet narration, and how technology has changed the dual/duet/full-cast narration landscape. All this and more over a Hemingway Special and a couple of Buzzers!
You can find Ralph and Kendra, the sponsors of tonight's episode, at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com, on Twitter at @SQUEAKYCHEESEVO, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/squeakycheeseproductions.
May 10, 2020
My guests tonight are Julie Wilson and Dan Zitt from Penguin Random House!
Julie and Dan discuss the genesis and evolution of AHAB, one of the tools that PRH audiobook producers use for casting. They also discuss some of the changes to AHAB that were recently implemented, and talk about their vision for AHAB going forward. All this over a virgin Mojito, some Basil Hayden's bourbon, and a Soleil!
You can find Julie on Twitter and Instagram at @JuliannaNWilson, and you can find Dan at http://www.danzitt.com and on Twitter at @RealDanZitt.
Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.
April 26, 2020
My guest tonight is Jane Love, one of two chief negotiators of audiobook contracts with SAG-AFTRA!
Jane tells me about how she ended up in a long and happy career with SAG-AFTRA instead of the career in journalism she'd planned. We then discuss how the union came to be more active in the audiobook world, and some of the benefits of union membership. All this over a Gold Rush and some water -- that's replaced with a Quarantine Cooler immediately after the interview!
You can find information about SAG-AFTRA at https://www.sagaftra.org, and about the union's health insurance plans at https://www.sagaftraplans.org. And you can contact Jane directly at jane.love@sagaftra.org.
Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.
April 12, 2020
My guest tonight is audiobook narrator and business coach Emily Lawrence!
Emily describes her pivot late in her college career from stage to film/tv acting, followed quickly by a pivot into audiobooks. Emily and I also discuss the changes she's seen on ACX over the years, her audiobook business coaching, and how LARPing resulted in Cardinal Richelieu marrying a ninja assassin. All this and more over a Perfect Martini and some cool, clear water.
You can find Emily online at https://www.emilylawrence.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/emilylawrence.actor, and on Twitter at @EmilyLawr.
Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.
March 1, 2020
My guest tonight is audio producer extraordinaire "Uncle Roy" Yokelson!
Uncle Roy tells me how sound has always been a passion of his, and how he made that passion a career when he got into music and other audio production. Roy also talks about what to look for in a good voiceover demo producer, and what his process is for creating a "killer demo." All this and more over an Egg Cream and a Salty Dog!
You can find Uncle Roy at http://www.antlandproductions.com and on Twitter at @antland.
January 26, 2020
Joining me in the Speakeasy tonight is long-time narrator Oliver Wyman!
Oliver tells me about getting into both voice acting in general and audiobooks specifically after meeting Paul Alan Ruben (a guest here in the Speakeasy back on episode 38), and shares some of his favorite books and characters from 20 years of narrating audiobooks. Ollie also talks about how great it is to get completely emotionally attached to the story you're telling, and explains why sometimes it's important to just "let the sentence go." All this and more over a whiskey sour and a caipirinha!
You can find Oliver on Twitter at @MrKawfy, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mrkawfy.
Tonight's Audiobook Speakeasy chat is being brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.
