Ep. 306 - How to Prep a Book Before You Record a Word

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Most narrators lose hours in the booth fixing problems they could have caught before pressing record. In this episode I walk through the prep routine I use between signing the contract and recording the first line. There are five steps, and none of them need special software. I also share the time I narrated a Minnesota army sergeant with a Brooklyn accent.

(00:00) Why prep matters. Pickups and re-records cost you the performance and the money.

(03:18) My first audiobook, and what I didn't know I didn't know.

(05:45) Step one, read the book. Or at least read each chapter before you narrate it.

(08:30) Step two, build a character list, and record reference clips so voices don't drift.

(10:28) Step three, the pronunciation list. When in doubt, ask the author.

(13:40) Step four, mark up the script. Who's talking when there's no tag, plus mood words beside each paragraph.

(20:45) Step five, plan your sessions. About 9,300 words per finished hour, and why not to start with chapter one.

(24:30) The script prep tool coming to Academy Voices on 1 October.

(25:35) Your homework. Write a character list for the first three chapters of any book.

Sit in on our live classes free during Free Class Week, 12 to 15 October. https://www.avosjourney.com/free-class-week-october-2026?src=podcast-306

When you're ready to train with us, here's VO Journey Academy. https://www.avosjourney.com/join?src=podcast

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