The Narrator's Handbook

By: Tanya Eby

Narrated by: Tanya Eby

Audiobook narration is fun, varied, and a whole lot of hard work. Tanya Eby's handbook draws on her 25 years of experience in the audiobook industry to give narrators tips, suggestions, and information on the art and business of audiobook narration.

This book is for:

• Writers looking to understand production.
• New narrators who are just getting started and confused on next steps.
• Established narrators who have questions and want to grow their business.

Over her career, Tanya has narrated more than 1,100 books by indie and bestselling writers. She's been a publisher, producer, casting director, and has won awards for her narration. She is also a writer of the best-selling rom com series MAN HANDS with Sarina Bowen.

She draws on her unique experience to talk about narration from multiple viewpoints with articles on casting, performance, business etiquette, and tackling roadblocks while providing clear, informative, and sometimes inspirational advice along the way.

Audiobook narration as a career is ever-evolving, and there are many paths forward in the industry. This book helps describe how the industry operates and how to get gigs.

©2024 Tanya Eby (P)2024 Blunder Woman Productions

No matter how experienced a narrator you are…this book is ONE to read/listen

I started my journey aver 3 years ago and with 40 books under my name and most from ACX auditions, I wish I had this book when I started. I have the ebook but love listening to Tanya’s narration. It is like a close friend telling me all the things I should and should not worry about. As I listen to it, some sections made my cringe for all the things I did not do and should have. Some made me ponder why I am in this industry. Some sections made me feel good about who I am, my genuine ME and my authenticity and that each person’s journey is different and be proud of what I have accomplished. Believe me, you will too when you listen/read it. This book lay out not just from the narrators’ perspective, but from the author as well. She also details out what producers ( big 5 or Indie ) look for and how we need to pivot with our reach outs. Tanya made this book REAL and there is no fluff or fantasy to what we do as narrators. IT IS HARD WORK! Despite that, we all LOVE the journey it takes each of us. I highly recommend this book to everyone who is in this industry which has become so competitive ! This book complements her Substack blogposts as well which is another source that I like to read :)

Make bold choices

Tanya Eby’s The Narrator’s Handbook offers a mirthful, poignant, personal insight into the craft and business of narration from BOTH sides of the microphone.Given her decades in the business, she speaks authoritatively on the subject. Refreshingly, this book lacks the “get rich quick” candy-coating of so many other sources while at the same time managing to be quite filled with hope … IF you’re willing to put in the work.

It is an honest, thought-provoking appraisal of the industry, its opportunities and benefits, its joys and sorrows, its foibles and pitfalls. There is much to be learned about the craft of narration just by listening to Tanya narrate her own audiobook. This panoptic is also simply chock-full of information, so you may want to take notes. A few takeaways I think I can offer without giving away too much of the “plot”: “Make bold choices,” “Stop doing shit you don’t want to do,”and “YOU GOT THIS.”

Authentic connection

This is essential listening/reading for any narrator or wannabe narrator. Not only is the information invaluable, but Tanya's tone, her sympathy, and her empathy makes her feel like a friend - like an authentic connection.

Valuable stuff here, folks!

Love everything about it, honestly. Tanya is a powerhouse and the articles within this book are gold for budding, or even seasoned narrators. So glad to have it in my arsenal!

Great resource!

The Narrator's Handbook is, as the title hints, a great resource for aspiring narrators and anyone who wants to see behind the curtain and understand what goes into this craft. I found the narration to be accessible, the material is relevant, and the publication is timely, considering the flood of new talent in the pool.
Another bonus is that the information isn't all that perishable. Some of it may not be as relevant in 10 years, but many of the principles are timeless.
This is the compilation of substack and blog posts from Tanya's years as a narrator, casting director and writer.
The only drawback, if you can call it that, with listening to the audiobook version is that you will want a notebook handy. If you're listening in the car, as I often did, you'll regret not being able to take notes as you listen. Just something to keep in mind.