Setting the Scene.
Scanning or Reading?
Before you start - make sure your terms are right for you.
The last thing you need is to underestimate the time involved with voicing an audiobook, the time needed to edit and the pure stamina required to keep it up. It is not an easy task. If it is your own book then sure go for it every time because any profit you make is entirely yours. For those voice over artists looking for a quick book, it isn't in audiobooks, reading for an audiobook is a long hard slog, more like a marathon when a voice over for a commercial is 100 metre sprint. If the terms are not in your favour you could quickly become bored and want to throw in the towel or get so 'P'd off' that you perform in a haphazard way, not only affecting the book itself but also your reputation.
I still want to voice an audiobook - what is good practice?
For example:
Mr Rogers implied that I had to change in to my uniform as quickly as possible.
"Be quick we have work to do!" , he said.
"I will be quick Mr Rogers, I know we have a busy day to day!" Jayne said.
It had been a particularly sticky and hot day and I always brought a spare bra to change into. Today I could not find it in my bag and didn't fancy wearing my other bra as it was uncomfortable to wear on a hot day. I scoured around in my locker and eventually found my spare bra from yesterday.
"This is my yesterday bra girls, does anyone have a spare one I could borrow, please?"
The last line in italics is quite obviously for the female role but when reading fast you can inadvertently read this line in a more husky voice believing because of the speed of the read and the way that it comes along that straight after the narration part on the female role the male role could follow. In many books the read can be much like 1 and then 2 and then 1 and then 2 again but sometimes the pace does change and can come in any other combination but after a while of 1 and then 2, 1 and then 2, you can become a little complacent and get so used to it that although it sound silly you end up reading this line as a male deeper tone rather than a female more higher pitched tone and then not find out it is wrong until the editing stage.
Some other things to do is write down the side of the manuscript, mood words like angry, sad, nasty, nice, happy, etc. This allows you time to see it beforehand and get ready for it, so as to have as few mistakes as possible and make the read easier.
Also another thing that could help you with your read is have three separate bull-clipped sets of pages from the manuscript, one for what has been read, one for what has been recorded and the last set of pages for what has been edited and sent to publisher or uploaded to wherever you need to upload it to. These sets of pages will of course change in size as you work your way through the book.
The last thing you will need is a hell of a lot of water. You almost need your own personal waterfall directly pouring straight into your mouth to keep the dry throat at bay. At the very least a one liter bottle of water and a glass so you can keep refilling without having to pop off for more water at too many intervals. And do not drink the water in gulps, just gentle sips of water to keep your mouth moist and your voice usable. Hope this helps anyone who is thinking of voicing an audio book, someone who is currently voicing an audiobook and possibly even someone who has already voiced audio books.
Good luck with your future voicing ventures!