Posted on June 2, 2018 at 9:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

The Village Voice did a fantastic behind-the-scenes feature on someone whose voice you probably recognize but whose face is a mystery.

Audiobook narrator Grover Gardner has produced over 1,200 books over his career.

Among them: John Irving’s The Cider House Rules, Saul Bellow’s The Adventures of Augie March, Stephen King’s The Stand (all forty-eight hours), and all four volumes of Robert Caro’s The Years of Lyndon Johnson published to date. 

He’s also won several awards and accolades for his “sandpaper and velvet” voice, including an Audie (the industry’s highest honor and the equivalent of an Oscar).

In addition to profiling Gardner, the piece takes a look at audiobooks’ surge in popularity, the qualities that make for a stellar narration — and the demanding nature of the job.

Gardner’s advice to aspiring narrators is to take a digital recorder and a book, sit in a quiet room, and read aloud for an hour without stopping. “Then tell me if you still want to do it. The answer is often ‘no,’ ” he says. 

Read the full profile of Gardner and the rise of audiobooks here.

Categories: Author Interview

Tagged As: Audiobook

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