Today, I’m highlighting a few more audiobook coaches. These are people who are well established in the industry and have helped many navigate the sometimes confusing waters of audiobook narration. To read part one, click HERE.
EMILY LAWRENCE
1) Do you have a bit of advice for narrators that is inspiring or uplifting you could share?
Wherever you're at in your career, I've been there. I started out working for indie authors. It began as a trickle, then picked up until I could do it full time. After several years working full time with indie authors, I decided I wanted to work with publishers, so over the course of a year, I transitioned to being full time with publishers. I've been pigeonholed in work I didn't enjoy and had to rebrand myself to get more of what I wanted. I've had ruts of no work, bad reviews, embarrassing interactions with producers, vocal health scares, imposter syndrome, existential crises (plenty of those), you name it. When I started, I knew nothing about the industry or the "right" way and I stumbled my way through, making PLENTY of mistakes. I'm still here. The only sure recipe to success is to just show up every day, ready to do your best, and not give up.
2) What kind of coaching do you offer? One on one, classes, workshops, conferences? Anything coming up?
My coaching covers everything having to do with audiobook performance and the business of audiobooks. I offer a wide variety of options, including video courses, one on one sessions, asynchronous feedback (clients email me samples of their narration and I email back feedback), as well as the occasional group workshop via zoom.
3) How many books have you narrated OR how long have you been in the business?
I've narrated more than 550 audiobooks and have been a full time narrator for 12 years.
4) What do you like to focus on with your students?
My biggest focus overall is authenticity: how to fully bring yourself to the work and connect with people in hiring positions in a way that doesn't feel icky. My approach to narration is all about learning how to fully embody the text in a way that gets you out of your head and quiets your inner critic.
5) Contact info or website?
www.emilylawrence.com/coaching
6) Anything else you want to share?
My advice for finding a coach is to look for someone you vibe with; someone who speaks your language. This is a subjective art. There are many valid approaches and no single "right" way to narrate a book or build your business. The most important thing is to find someone who approaches the work in a way that resonates with you and with whom you feel safe enough to take risks so you can grow and learn from them.
PJ OCHLAN
1) Do you have a bit of advice for narrators that is inspiring or uplifting you could share?
It's important to recognize that a creative career is a marathon with no finish line, and no matter where you are on that journey, all your fellow creators are right there alongside you. Everyone interested in relevant, durable, and meaningful careers — whether they’ve done zero books or a thousand — is striving for that next step, that next level-up. Don't play the comparison game. Goals are essential, but it’s only those who embrace and appreciate the journey itself that feel genuine contentment.
2) What kind of coaching do you offer? One on one, classes, workshops, conferences? Anything coming up?
One-on-one (performance, dialect, business), Deyan Institute group classes (Masterclass Series, Intensives), workshops (Character Voice Toolbox, How to Be Your Own Dialect Coach), conference and university appearances.
3) How many books have you narrated OR how long have you been in the business?
600+ books narrated. Working actor/voice actor since 1986.
4) What do you like to focus on with your students?
We identify and articulate your goals, and then prioritize the steps – contributions to the craft and/or business buckets – that will most effectively bring those goals to fruition.
5) Contact info or website?
drdialect.com; deyaninstitute.com
HILLARY HUBER
1) Do you have a bit of advice for narrators that is inspiring or uplifting you could share?
Audiobooks are the most equitable of the performance arts. There is room for so many varied voices - what makes you different is respected and needed. Quirky interests and skill sets make you a desirable expert. Fly that freak flag! Also - we are not going to run out of books to record… it’s an ever replenishing pool.
2) What kind of coaching do you offer? One on one, classes, workshops, conferences? Anything coming up?
One on one. Need to work on a specific skill, genre or audition? Book an hour. New to this and want a more in depth overview of the industry and a comprehensive exploration of the skills required? Book the four class course. Need a demo? Got ya.
3) How many books have you narrated OR how long have you been in the business?
19 years. Over 800 books.
4) What do you like to focus on with your students?
In this mostly directorless world I think it’s important to learn how to evaluate our own work. How to know when we’ve hit the sweet spot.
5) Contact info or website?
6) Anything else you want to share?
Tanya is awesome! (Tanya totally added this.)
Stay tuned for PART THREE next week.
Have an audiobook question you’re curious about? Let Tanya know!
TANYA EBY is a smoker, a joker, and a midnight toker. That’s actually not true. She was just listening to Spotify and THE JOKER song came on. Tanya writes, narrates, casts, bakes, naps, forages, and has a wedding planned in about three weeks. She’s totally 100% relaxed and not freaking about this AT ALL.
So glad you're highlighting these amazing folks!
I've been doing the Deyan Institute's Masterclass series with PJ and it's become my favorite event to participate in! I learn sooo much, and PJ and the featured guests have so many great gems of wisdom to share.
Thanks for highlighting coaches, Tanya! It makes me just want to book coaching with all of them!