Narrator Interview with Drawing for Free Audiobook

I am thrilled to announce the release of In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer on audiobook. My narrator and I worked closely together on this project to bring to you, our readers, these beautiful stories of cancer survivorship. Since I knew very little about narrating books, I thought it would be fun to interview my narrator, Julie Stein.

Stay tuned! At the end I offer two ways to receive a FREE audiobook copy of In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer.

INTERVIEW WITH NARRATOR JULIE STEIN

1.What are some fun facts you would like to share with our readers? (Favorite books, movies, tea or coffee, activities, hobbies, sports, adventures,)  

Julie—I love to read, my favorite genre to read is a good mystery. I love coffee and tea equally; I need my coffee in the morning but then switch to hot tea in the evening especially on cold nights and when I record. I love to sing, swim, travel, and watch a good movie with family during my free time.

2. How did you become interested and connected in narrating audiobooks? 

Julie—I love to read, sing and act and when my children got older, I wanted to pursue a dream I have always had to do voice work, so I studied and started the path to that journey. Now here I am!

3. What is the process you go through to select a book to narrate? Do you have a favorite genre?

Julie—You want to choose a book that is selling well and highly rated, but it is also important to me that I like the story or believe in the topic. If you are passionate about the subject it makes it easier to connect to the story and bring it to life. As far as genre, I really do not have a favorite as each brings a different element to the performance that is exciting to me.  

4. What do you enjoy most about narrating audiobooks? What do you find most frustrating?

Julie—I love getting lost in the story while I narrate, especially when I have a long uninterrupted recording session, and everything flows well. It is frustrating when your brain and mouth do not agree, and you end up flubbing easy words and sentences especially when I am tired or have a lot of interruptions. It is easy to have to do several retakes.

5. How often do you have to do retakes?

Julie—If I have a good quality amount of time in my studio, I record with a process called punch and roll and when I do this it cuts down on editing. But if I don’t have a lot of recording time then there is a chance I will have to do some retakes or pickups. During proofing any issues are marked and then retakes are done. It really depends on how good the recording sessions goes. 

6. Where do you narrate and what does your workday look like? Do you do anything special to prepare? 

Julie—I narrate from a home studio and I tend to record during the graveyard shift as that is when it is the quietest and I have less interruptions. To prepare I do vocal warmups, drink hot liquids without dairy and try to keep hydrated to keep the mouth noises and clicks to a minimum.

7. What helps to keep your vocal cords in shape?

Julie—I drink a lot of water as hydration is especially important to vocal health, I also do vocal warmups which would include tongue twisters or singing, etc. Exercise is also important, so I do some type of cardio exercise a few times a week at least. I cut out dairy as much as possible and drink my coffee black in the morning then switch to hot tea in the evening with water in between.

8. How do you decide on the voice for a character?

Julie—After reading the script and receiving any notes from the Rights Holder regarding character traits, I form a mental picture of that person, how they look, talk and act and then I become that person or get into character before I start to record.

9. In Her Shoes features the cancer survivor stories of 12 women. Was there a particular story that stood out for you? Why?  

Julie—All of the stories are touching, but Joanie’s story stood out to me because she was a nurse for years who cared for cancer patients and then she became a cancer patient. It was interesting to see “both sides of the bed” in her journey.

10. What surprised you most during the course of narrating In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer.

Julie—I was surprised and saddened to find out that a high percentage of doctors were not very compassionate in giving their patients a cancer diagnosis. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out how many support groups and wonderful resources are out there that I did not know existed for those suffering with a cancer diagnosis.  

11. How has narrating In Her Shoes changed your perspective on life, cancer and cancer survivors?

Julie—After reading and narrating In Her Shoes, I have a sense of hope when it comes to cancer, as there are so many survivors that prove that. There are a lot of support and resources available that I did not know were out there for those diagnosed with cancer. Thanks to Joanie and other survivors for their stories, strength, and not giving up. 

12. What advice would you give someone who would like to be a narrator for audiobooks? 

Julie—Audiobooks are not an easy and/or fast way to make money. There is a lot of information to know before starting. The best advice I could give for anyone interested in narrating or producing audiobooks on any level, is to go to the following website which was created by a narrator in the industry working with other professionals in the industry to create a resource for narrators to go to and learn from those experienced in the industry with a priceless amounts of information.  https://www.narratorsroadmap.com/  

Thank you, Julie, for sharing your life as a narrator of audiobooks and for bringing forth a lovely rendition of In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer. It has been a pleasure working with you.

Receive a Free Audiobook!

1. Enter the Drawing! To enter, sign up on my website to receive emails with updates and encouraging blog posts. A winner will be chosen from my email list. If you have signed up for my emails in the past. Send me an email letting me know you would like to be included in the drawing. The drawing will take place September 30, 2020 to close out Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 

Sign up today! Go to:www.joanieshawhan.com

2. Agree to provide an honest review. I have a few promo copies available for those would like to listen to the audiobook in its entirety and provide an honest review on audiobook and Amazon. You can contact me at  www.joanieshawhan.com

Julie Stein Bio:

Julie Stein, also known as VOcalJewels, is a narrater, singer and audio artist. Her work can be found on Audible, Amazon (audiobooks) and iTunes as well as her YouTube channel and other social media outlets.  She loves making candles, reading, swimming, nature walks, listening and singing to music and meditation.  Her favorite thing to do is to travel with loved ones, preferably beach bound, otherwise she loves to cook, Netflix, and chill with her family including her 15 year-old wirehair dachshund dog, Lincoln.  

Contact information for Julie Stein

*Email-vocaljewels@gmail.com

*YouTube-https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCjDtZUkokYJzzczkxWyswxg

*Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/vocaljewelsvoiceart/

*Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/vocaljewels/

*ACX-https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=AATB7SS6OCU6J

7 thoughts on “Narrator Interview with Drawing for Free Audiobook”

  1. Thank you for this great interview! I always loved reading to my sons, and later to my mother when her eyesight failed. Often thought of doing narrating–but teaching and singing a lot during the days probably wouldn’t make it a wise choice. So I’ll stick with enjoying good books like “In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer,” narrated by people like Julie Stein! 😀

    1. Thank you, Robin! I also enjoy listening to someone else read and I am huge fan of audiobooks whether enjoyment or eye rest, audiobooks are such delightful option.

  2. Great interview! Probably one of the better ones I’ve read. Honest! It’s fascinating that a narrator has to keep in shape. Thanks for this fun post.

  3. The author interviewing the narrator is a terrific idea. I enjoyed reading every word of the interview.

    I’ve read the print copy of the book, but I’m excited it’s on audio now—it’ll be available to more readers who may be helped and encouraged by the message.

  4. Loved this interview! It is so interesting to hear her process in preparing and recording. I have never given much thought about what all has to be done in order for the audio to be done! Great interview!

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