With the growing popularity of audiobooks, you may need to hire a professional audiobook narrator. Blue Wave has a roster of professional audiobook voice over talent who know how to make listeners engage with your story. 

Generating over $2 billion in sales, every year more and more people listen to audiobooks. Access has grown via Audible making its entire catalog available on Amazon Music or, most recently, Spotify’s launch of Audiobooks+. With more ways to access audiobooks, the industry continues growing and so does the need for professional audiobook narrators!

A Voice Over Actor for Every Audiobook Genre

Whether your book is a popular genre like self-help, biography, or a memoir, each genre requires a different skill from a voice actor. A talent who is skilled in video game or animation can transform into unique characters as a children’s audiobook narrator. If your topic leans more towards medical research then a voiceover talent skilled in medical narration can handle the technical language. Don’t forget that a voice actor familiar with True Crime may be a great fit for your bone-chilling story. 

Top 3 Things to Keep In Mind When Hiring an Audiobook Narrator

One of Blue Wave’s professional audiobook narrators is André Santana, an Audie, Earphone & SOVAS winner. He says, “Authors and producers are sometimes looking for the voice in their heads, but other times we’re cast because they’re pulled in by strong and unique choices the narrator makes.” 

1. Keeping an Open Mind Opens More Possibilities

When casting your next audiobook voice over actor, the tone of the book’s subject and its genre are important elements to keep in mind when casting. Yet as André points out, sometimes listening to an actor can change what you originally had in mind – this can be a good thing! Begin with a breakdown of gender, tone, and age for a narrator but be open to what a great voice talent can offer. 

2. Authentic Voices Give Credibility 

Another important element to consider is whether you need a narrator who can authentically tell a particular story? For example, Carolina Hoyos won an Audiofile Earphones Award for her narration of “The Disappeared” set during Argentina’s Dirty War. Thanks to her ability to change accents and her “nimble” use of English and Spanish, Carolina was the perfect choice to narrate this emotional historical fiction story. Reviews said that “Hoyos convincingly conveys anxiety, panic, and fear, captivating listeners.” Depending on your story, you may need a voice actor that credibly represents Black, LGBTQIA+, Asian, Southern accents, or more mature female or male voices. 

3. Find an Audiobook Narrator Who is a Natural Storyteller

Additionally, Carolina Hoyos’ narration of a non-fiction book called “Native Nations” is a great example of a narrator acting more as a storyteller than just reciting historical facts. And her own native heritage helped to make her a great choice to tell the indigenous history of the United States.

An experienced voice actor does more than just read words but instead they can transport the listener through a character’s emotional journey in a genre like fiction or truly engage listeners in genre like non-fiction.

Blue Wave Voiceover Audiobook Narrators

Blue Wave Voice Talent Tom Test says, “Sometimes the work is challenging, when I have to learn unfamiliar concepts and terminology so that I can explain them adequately. I find it rewarding when I learn new things as I have recently in the fields of investing and tax strategies. I do research on Google and YouTube to familiarize myself with the subject matter before recording.” Tom’s relatable and authoritative voice also makes complex financial terminology easier to understand.

Depending on the project, a voice talent like Tom may work independently without a producer and only need to send the audio files to an editor. Sometimes he needs to self-direct but, as he says, “I like a good challenge.” Either way a professional voice over actor like Tom understands that preparation is key to getting familiar with the material before he dives into the recording booth. 

For a different kind of project like bilingual audiobooks, Spanish and English voice talent Carolina Hoyas says, ”I’m often hired for my facility with accents and languages. I map out phonetic pronunciations after the author and director provide a list of words to prepare. I make sure I hear myself say the words out loud before the session so I’m not spending time figuring it out while I’m narrating.”

Furthermore, a passionate and dynamic voice talent like André Santana explains that narrators like himself want to build “a relationship to texts that allows us to deliver great performances wherever we go: across genre, audience, and character. Sometimes a book is absolutely unexpected – a phenomenal writing voice, a breaking of form, an absolutely original book, and when I’m in the booth with something like that I have to be engaged with every sentence. Those are my absolute favorite audiobooks to record.”

Ready to Hire Your Next Audiobook Narrator?

A trusted partner like Blue Wave Voiceover can help you hire a professional audiobook narrator who is ready to embolden progressive stories that challenge extreme conservative views or authentically represent groups like LGBTQIA+, Native and Indigenous, Black, Latinx, non-binary, or Asian, Our talent can also quickly deliver from their broadcast quality home studios. Contact us today for more information, or better yet, check out our roster and hire your next audiobook narrator!

Looking for a middle-aged, mature-sounding female voice who is warm, confident, and wise? Maybe a spirited best friend or your favorite aunt who delivers a line with just the right amount of wink? Aimee Gironimi is your next professional female voice over! She can fine tune a Midwestern accent, be a fun and quirky voice for commercials, or if you prefer, a polished RP British accent–perfect for a project that needs authenticity and character. 

From a stage actor turned Associate Director in theater to a Leadership Development practitioner in non-profit and corporate worlds, Aimee dived into voice over to make her dream a reality. A communicator at heart, she brings her love of the arts to her professional voice over work with her passion for social justice and LGBTQIA+ projects. 

Her clients – Pfizer, Washington Post, Vooks, McKinsey & Company, Northwestern Mutual, and the Ford Foundation – love Aimee’s speedy delivery, genuine voice, and effortless collaboration. From her professional broadcast quality home studio, she can deliver everything from commercials, eLearning, Voice of God Announcer, animation, or radio and TV promo brands.

If you’re searching for a professional female voice over talent with range, heart, and experience, Aimee Gironimi is ready to bring your next project to life.

Tell Us a Little About Your Broadcast-Quality Home Studio. Where Is It? What Kind of Equipment do You Have? What Do You Like About It?

I love my home studio! My wife and I built my studio in a 3×5 walk-in closet when we bought our house 6 years ago. Had electrical installed, bought a laptop that has fan control, did all of the treatment, etc. We had so much fun with it. It’s my workspace every day, so it needed to feel personal. We use the spare bedroom to the closet as our studio dog’s “lounge.” She has her own couch. I love my setup – I have a Sennheiser 416 MKH mic, and Apollo Solo preamp. I’ve become a whiz at Adobe Audition, and I am told I come through super nicely through SourceConnect!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aimee Gironimi – Voice Actor (@aimeegironimivoiceactor)

What’s One Thing That Most People Don’t Know About You?

I was born legally blind in my left eye due to severe refractive amblyopia. It wasn’t correctable, so it messes with my depth perception.

How Did You Get Into Voiceover Work?

I quit smoking so I could do it. I made a deal with myself that if I quit smoking after 30 years, I could finally have a voice to do voiceover. And I wanted to do it by 50. I started training for VO when I was 49!

Do You Remember the First Voiceover Job you Ever Did?

The first thing I actually recorded for pay was an eLearning series for my old company back in 2020 – I am certain it was not good! 

What Can You Offer to a New Client Who’s Working With You for The First Time?

Stellar service – I work quickly and efficiently – and I take direction & feedback like a champ. I have a ton of experience doing live sessions as well.

What Has Been Your Favorite Voiceover Project – Political or Otherwise – to Date?

I was the voice of an elderly urine sample for a medical school video. It was a hoot!

What Is Your Biggest Voiceover Pet Peeve?

When someone asks me to “do a funny voice” on command. It’s awkward.

If You Could Tell Political Voiceover Clients One Thing That Would Help You do Your Job Better, or Help Them Get What They Want Faster – What Would That One Thing Be?

Many times I don’t hear back after I send something in that I was hired to record – and then a couple weeks later I’m checking in to be sure it went to air, and sometimes I’ll get pickups from that check-in or just a “send us an invoice.” Checking in with the voice talent sooner than later is great for us so we know the status of the project. (With SO MUCH appreciation for all the producers and engineers for what they do all day every day – I am amazed by the talent out there, for real!)

What Advice Do You Have for Talents Who Want to Do Political Voiceover?

For sure get trained for it – it’s a niche area of VO, and there are certain things producers want from you that other genres may not require. Then check out local and state races to get started. Find out who does their spots. If you land a huge campaign out of the gate, yay you! However, it mostly starts small and/or local – but can build up quickly.

What Hobbies Do You Have Outside of Your Voiceover Work?

I love to go to trivia night at the beer garden, travel for work and play, host dinner parties, and fight for our Democratic rights in any way I can.

Any Final Thoughts?

Absolutely know how to go through a live session before you hop on to do one for a political ad. If you want to practice, find a coach who will talk you through it. You’ll thank yourself later.