About this site
Erin deWard is an Audie Award winning Audiobook Narrator with over 150 titles under her belt and more than 10 years worth of audio description experience in film, television, and live events (If you are jonesing for the full list - just fill out the form on the contact page).
Erin became a narrator and a describer by learning about the fields, studying what each entailed, and then stalking people and paying them to train her. While she does not profess to be an expert in either field, she knows a bit. Her intent with this web site is to save you the stalking step (it's time consuming and can be a little creepy) and give you a helping hand to start you on your way. It should be noted that there is no quick way to go about this. Just like everything else in life, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right and that takes time, resources, and diligence. BUT, if you really follow each step, I truly believe you will come out the other side with at least a side career.
Audio Description
Audio description is a translation of visual images into auditory images for people who are blind or have low vision. Concise and evocative description of visuals is used to provide access to film, television, visual art, performance art, dance, parks, and monuments. In media with dialogue, AD presents plot pertinent actions or plot enhancing visuals which are added in pauses between dialogue.
As a field, audio description includes several components - It is possible to find work in one area only, and it is possible to be successful in one without the others. BUT I feel strongly that you have a better chance of making a living in this growing field if you are proficient with the whole process from soup to nuts, allowing you to work as a freelancer as well as working for post production houses.
The first step of audio description is writing the script. The second step is recording the track (or performing the description live). The third step is editing and mixing the finished track and then delivering it. In the "Become a Describer" section of this website, I will take you through this process, step by step, including items to purchase and classes to take.
Audiobook Narration
Many people approach audiobook narrators about how to get into the field. They have been told they have nice voices or they love to read so they think narration might be a fun and easy way to earn extra money. This happens so frequently that several of my colleagues have put together online answers to THE question. I have added some of these below, in case you feel you want to skip my tedious step by step instructions (ha!).
I decided to put this guide together so that people who are REALLY serious about wanting to become narrators have a go-to resource for all the things that will help them, over the long-term, to get a foot in the door of the fastest growing sector of publishing.
As with audio description, there are many steps to becoming a working audio book narrator. Any of these steps can be skipped but I feel that in order to really come out on the other end with at least a side career, you will want to do each step and do it fully. Some will cost you money, some are free but all of them will put you on the right track. If the steps listed on the "Become a Narrator" page are not in an order that you feel will work for you, feel free to try them in any order that makes sense to you.
Beware of scams! Just like in every other aspect of acting there are unscrupulous people who are looking to make a buck off eager hopefuls with stars in their eyes. I promise you that every resource I share with you is fully vetted and any recommendations I make to you are for your benefit and not to take advantage of your dreams. I have been there. I have been taken advantage of and I WILL NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN TO YOU ON MY WATCH!
Here are the above mentioned links, posts from narrators who are much better known than I am addressing the question "how can I become a narrator?" Some of these links are to videos, some are to books, some are to blogs - some are very serious, some are a little more light-hearted. You'll notice a common theme, though, as you make your way through them. If you want in depth, step by step guidance please proceed to my section "Become a Narrator". Some of the links are affiliate links, just so you know. Good luck! Have fun! Make art!
So you want to be an audiobook narrator by Tanya Eby
So...You want to be an audiobook narrator by Sean Allen Pratt
How to break into narration by Scott Brick
How to become an audiobook narrator by Karen Commins
How to become an Audiobook Narrator by Lorelei King
Narrators Roadmap
Narrators Guide by the Audio Publishers Association
And for an overview of the process of making indie audiobooks from both the author and narrator perspective, you can (but don't need to) check out this handy little book written by Renea Mason, author, Noah Michael Levine, narrator, and ME! The Audiobook Book. You can also join the online community on Facebook here.
REMEMBER: you don't have to do the steps all at once. It will take time. Do what you can, as you can. If you really want this, you'll make it work.
Erin became a narrator and a describer by learning about the fields, studying what each entailed, and then stalking people and paying them to train her. While she does not profess to be an expert in either field, she knows a bit. Her intent with this web site is to save you the stalking step (it's time consuming and can be a little creepy) and give you a helping hand to start you on your way. It should be noted that there is no quick way to go about this. Just like everything else in life, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right and that takes time, resources, and diligence. BUT, if you really follow each step, I truly believe you will come out the other side with at least a side career.
Audio Description
Audio description is a translation of visual images into auditory images for people who are blind or have low vision. Concise and evocative description of visuals is used to provide access to film, television, visual art, performance art, dance, parks, and monuments. In media with dialogue, AD presents plot pertinent actions or plot enhancing visuals which are added in pauses between dialogue.
As a field, audio description includes several components - It is possible to find work in one area only, and it is possible to be successful in one without the others. BUT I feel strongly that you have a better chance of making a living in this growing field if you are proficient with the whole process from soup to nuts, allowing you to work as a freelancer as well as working for post production houses.
The first step of audio description is writing the script. The second step is recording the track (or performing the description live). The third step is editing and mixing the finished track and then delivering it. In the "Become a Describer" section of this website, I will take you through this process, step by step, including items to purchase and classes to take.
Audiobook Narration
Many people approach audiobook narrators about how to get into the field. They have been told they have nice voices or they love to read so they think narration might be a fun and easy way to earn extra money. This happens so frequently that several of my colleagues have put together online answers to THE question. I have added some of these below, in case you feel you want to skip my tedious step by step instructions (ha!).
I decided to put this guide together so that people who are REALLY serious about wanting to become narrators have a go-to resource for all the things that will help them, over the long-term, to get a foot in the door of the fastest growing sector of publishing.
As with audio description, there are many steps to becoming a working audio book narrator. Any of these steps can be skipped but I feel that in order to really come out on the other end with at least a side career, you will want to do each step and do it fully. Some will cost you money, some are free but all of them will put you on the right track. If the steps listed on the "Become a Narrator" page are not in an order that you feel will work for you, feel free to try them in any order that makes sense to you.
Beware of scams! Just like in every other aspect of acting there are unscrupulous people who are looking to make a buck off eager hopefuls with stars in their eyes. I promise you that every resource I share with you is fully vetted and any recommendations I make to you are for your benefit and not to take advantage of your dreams. I have been there. I have been taken advantage of and I WILL NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN TO YOU ON MY WATCH!
Here are the above mentioned links, posts from narrators who are much better known than I am addressing the question "how can I become a narrator?" Some of these links are to videos, some are to books, some are to blogs - some are very serious, some are a little more light-hearted. You'll notice a common theme, though, as you make your way through them. If you want in depth, step by step guidance please proceed to my section "Become a Narrator". Some of the links are affiliate links, just so you know. Good luck! Have fun! Make art!
So you want to be an audiobook narrator by Tanya Eby
So...You want to be an audiobook narrator by Sean Allen Pratt
How to break into narration by Scott Brick
How to become an audiobook narrator by Karen Commins
How to become an Audiobook Narrator by Lorelei King
Narrators Roadmap
Narrators Guide by the Audio Publishers Association
And for an overview of the process of making indie audiobooks from both the author and narrator perspective, you can (but don't need to) check out this handy little book written by Renea Mason, author, Noah Michael Levine, narrator, and ME! The Audiobook Book. You can also join the online community on Facebook here.
REMEMBER: you don't have to do the steps all at once. It will take time. Do what you can, as you can. If you really want this, you'll make it work.