As a special Halloween treat, we’re giving you, our wonderful readers (and the rest of the internet, I suppose…), a super-exclusive (and by that, I mean: open to the entire computer-literate world) insider’s look at recording an audiobook!

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy award-winning storyteller and the author of the Charlie Bumpers series. It only makes sense that he’d record his own audiobook.

So a few months back, armed with copies of The Squeaking Skull, lots of coffee, and our video camera, a couple of us from Peachtree headed to the ListenUp Audiobooks recording studio here in Atlanta.

In a dark room with orange padded walls, we (plus our awesome sound tech, Dante) carefully followed along, watching for mistakes, as Bill brought his characters to life.

This was one of the coolest things I’ve seen in book world, and I thought you might like to see what goes into recording an audiobook too. So here you go!

Recording an Audiobook Part 1: Getting Started
 
In this video–the first in a series of three!–Bill takes you on a tour of ListenUp’s studio.

 

 
Recording an Audiobook Part 2: What makes a good narrator?
 
In Part 2, Bill talks about creating voices and what qualities make a good audiobook narrator.
 
Recording an Audiobook Part 3: Behind the Voices
 
In Part 3, Bill demonstrates the voices of your favorite Charlie Bumpers characters and tells us how audiobooks can be used in the classroom!
Pick up your copy of Charlie Bumpers vs. the Squeaking Skull at your local library or independent bookseller!
Have a safe & happy Halloween, readers!
xo
N