The Narrator's Handbook

De: Tanya Eby

Narrado por: Tanya Eby

Audiobook narration is fun, varied, and a whole lot of hard work. Tanya Eby's handbook draws on her 25 years of experience in the audiobook industry to give narrators tips, suggestions, and information on the art and business of audiobook narration.

This book is for:

• Writers looking to understand production.
• New narrators who are just getting started and confused on next steps.
• Established narrators who have questions and want to grow their business.

Over her career, Tanya has narrated more than 1,100 books by indie and bestselling writers. She's been a publisher, producer, casting director, and has won awards for her narration. She is also a writer of the best-selling rom com series MAN HANDS with Sarina Bowen.

She draws on her unique experience to talk about narration from multiple viewpoints with articles on casting, performance, business etiquette, and tackling roadblocks while providing clear, informative, and sometimes inspirational advice along the way.

Audiobook narration as a career is ever-evolving, and there are many paths forward in the industry. This book helps describe how the industry operates and how to get gigs.

©2024 Tanya Eby (P)2024 Blunder Woman Productions

Valuable stuff here, folks!

Love everything about it, honestly. Tanya is a powerhouse and the articles within this book are gold for budding, or even seasoned narrators. So glad to have it in my arsenal!

No matter how experienced a narrator you are…this book is ONE to read/listen

I started my journey aver 3 years ago and with 40 books under my name and most from ACX auditions, I wish I had this book when I started. I have the ebook but love listening to Tanya’s narration. It is like a close friend telling me all the things I should and should not worry about. As I listen to it, some sections made my cringe for all the things I did not do and should have. Some made me ponder why I am in this industry. Some sections made me feel good about who I am, my genuine ME and my authenticity and that each person’s journey is different and be proud of what I have accomplished. Believe me, you will too when you listen/read it. This book lay out not just from the narrators’ perspective, but from the author as well. She also details out what producers ( big 5 or Indie ) look for and how we need to pivot with our reach outs. Tanya made this book REAL and there is no fluff or fantasy to what we do as narrators. IT IS HARD WORK! Despite that, we all LOVE the journey it takes each of us. I highly recommend this book to everyone who is in this industry which has become so competitive ! This book complements her Substack blogposts as well which is another source that I like to read :)

Make bold choices

Tanya Eby’s The Narrator’s Handbook offers a mirthful, poignant, personal insight into the craft and business of narration from BOTH sides of the microphone.Given her decades in the business, she speaks authoritatively on the subject. Refreshingly, this book lacks the “get rich quick” candy-coating of so many other sources while at the same time managing to be quite filled with hope … IF you’re willing to put in the work.

It is an honest, thought-provoking appraisal of the industry, its opportunities and benefits, its joys and sorrows, its foibles and pitfalls. There is much to be learned about the craft of narration just by listening to Tanya narrate her own audiobook. This panoptic is also simply chock-full of information, so you may want to take notes. A few takeaways I think I can offer without giving away too much of the “plot”: “Make bold choices,” “Stop doing shit you don’t want to do,”and “YOU GOT THIS.”

Authentic connection

This is essential listening/reading for any narrator or wannabe narrator. Not only is the information invaluable, but Tanya's tone, her sympathy, and her empathy makes her feel like a friend - like an authentic connection.

A Must-Read for Aspiring Narrators

I've been following Tanya Eby's writings for a while, and I always look forward to when a new blog post of hers has released. Her writing always captivates me with its wit, wisdom, and vulnerability. I always feel like I'm chatting with a close friend when I read her works, even though I've only met her online and never in person. Furthermore, her narration is delightful to listen to. She's a seasoned pro in the narration industry, and it shows.

As of this review posting, I've narrated 60 books and hit my stride with audiobooks in the last year. All of the information I've worked to fumble together over the last few years is conveniently located in this handbook, so it's a must read for all narrators getting started! Truly, it would have saved me a lot of time and frustration to read this first.

While this is a practical guide for narration, I highly recommend reading her memoir "The Tuesday Girl." I think the heart of a narrator is paramount to their skills as a storyteller, and Tanya Eby is such a gift for sharing her story with us. It's a poignant, heartfelt, relatable book, and Tanya just has a way of putting words together and articulating complex thoughts in a way I could only dream to.

The BEST, best friend to have on your journey

Tanya, as always, is brilliant. This book gives the harsh truths behind what we do, as well as takes you through the absolute highs that come along as well!
She does an incredible job of taking both newbies, and more experienced narrators under her wing by providing current industry insights that are sure to be ever-green as time progresses. The knowledge poured fourth in this book would cost thousands if you were to set down with coaches and were given the chance to 'pick their brains.'
She pulls no punches in calling out everything from how to act more professionally, to what MOST audiobook narrators ACTUALLY make. There's not smoke and mirrors here from someone trying to get you to buy some class or course. She tells it like it is.
Exception work, and a great piece in the collection to listen to again, and again!