5 More Tips for Better Audiobook Narration

Hey there! I’m Jay, a professional, award-winning audiobook narrator, and today I want to share five more tips to help elevate your audiobook performances. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, these insights will help bring more life and authenticity to your narration.

1. Commit Fully

One of the most powerful things you can do as a narrator is commit. Dive in headfirst. Don't apologize, don't waffle, and definitely don't doubt yourself. Think of bold fashion choices—when someone wears something unconventional with confidence, it often becomes iconic. Narration is no different.

For instance, during auditions, you often won’t have full context about the story. Maybe you're casting a magic spell without knowing exactly what it does. That’s okay—make a choice and commit to it. Ask yourself: Is this spell taboo or commonplace? Is the character nervous or seasoned? These decisions make your performance more professional and captivating.

2. Use Space Intentionally

As humans, we naturally adjust our voices based on our surroundings. We speak louder in noisy environments and softer in intimate settings. Use this instinct in your narration to add dimension.

Imagine narrating a sci-fi scene on a spaceship bridge. Adjust your projection and tone to reflect who’s speaking to whom and how far apart they are. This not only creates a 3D audio experience but also helps listeners differentiate between dialogue and narration. Shifting your delivery based on spatial awareness brings the scene to life in a vivid and immersive way.

3. Highlight Relationships

Characters don’t exist in a vacuum—they have relationships with each other, their environment, and even abstract ideas. Reflect those dynamics in your performance.

Take "The Lord of the Rings" as an example. The way someone says “Mordor” versus “The Shire” communicates vastly different emotions. In your narration, expressing how a character feels about a person or place adds nuance. Saying “Mom” with tenderness versus “Mom” with irritation instantly changes the context, giving the audience valuable emotional insight.

4. Establish a Tone

The overall tone of your narration sets the emotional and stylistic backdrop of the book. A bright, sarcastic tone might suggest a comedy, while a slower, gravelly delivery could indicate a gritty mystery.

Think of this like a movie’s color palette. A romantic comedy often uses vibrant hues, while a dystopian drama might lean toward muted tones. Similarly, your vocal tone can frame the listener’s expectations and set the mood for the entire book.

5. Embrace Imperfection

Here’s a heartfelt one: Imperfect is human—and great. This doesn’t mean flubbing your lines, but rather allowing authentic emotion to show through. Your voice doesn’t need to be perfect all the time.

I once narrated a scene where a character called their parents for what might be the last time. My voice cracked—and I left it in. It added a layer of realness that made the moment deeply moving. Particularly in emotionally charged or introspective works, letting yourself be human can create a powerful connection with your audience.

These are just a few tools to add to your narration toolkit. I hope they help bring your stories to life in even more engaging ways. Got your own tips? I’d love to hear them! Drop them in the comments, or connect with me on social media.

Until next time—be well, and happy narrating!

Toodles,
Jay