An enjoyment of reading brings so much to peoples lives. As well as sharing and expanding knowledge, reading develops emotional intelligence, connects mankind, shares ideas and opens up the mind to possibilities.

The Wicked Witch of The West in The Wizard of Oz was my first encounter with a frightening character voice and it was Margaret Hamilton’s distinctive vocal delivery that scared me more than the makeup or costume and had me hiding behind the sofa.

Your video is spot on. The images are exactly how you want them but the audio, both the music and the human voice, will lift the message high, capturing your audience’s attention and carrying it further.

This month I have launched my new series The Author Interviews in which I interview the authors of some of the audiobooks I have voiced to find out more about their process, how they became a writer and how they create the plot.

Have you ever given much thought to the voice and message your customers hear when they ring your business and get your telephone answer message?

I have just finished recording the last chapter of my latest audiobook and am saying farewell to the characters of George, Amy, Penelope, The Duke, Uncle Henry and countless others..

Even as a child at infant school in the 70’s I was complimented on my clear and confident speaking voice. Throughout my school days I was regularly asked to be the narrator for assemblies and stage productions.

Some weeks I have a lot of recording to do, especially when I have a big audiobook project on the go, and other weeks there is less time spent behind the mic and more time discussing potential projects or auditioning for suitable roles.

So you have decided your book is going to make a great audiobook and you are looking for a suitable narrator to bring your words to life. Exciting times! However you don’t have a huge production budget for this new endeavour and narrators don’t get behind the mic for free.

So you’ve done it! Congratulations! The book is finished and all that writing, rewriting, proofreading, rewriting and re reading is over. The book is published.