Today, I am so pleased to feature an interview with Sandra W. Parker, audio narrator of Emma Ames’ Sweet Thangs Mystery series. The first two audio books are finished, and the third will soon be in production. I love how Sandra captured the ‘voices’ of the characters. The covers are shown below along with a url where you can hear a sample. I also have some free codes you can use to download a copy of your choice of audio books. If you’d like one, please leave a comment here on the website, and I’ll send you a code.
https://adbl.co/369sONS https://tinyurl.com/sl3uayy
How did you get started in the voice-over business?
I saw an invitation to see if I have the chops for voice-over from the Such A Voice website. I had been a performer for many years in community theater and a soloist in the church choir, so this looked like a good fit for me. I worked with a private voice coach and attended many workshops and conferences on the business end and started auditioning. My first break came several months after that with an offer to narrate and produce an audiobook via the ACX platform.
Do you work out of a home studio?
I have a home studio which I designed with some help from some sound engineers.
Have any photos you’d like to share?
Sandra’s workspace
What’s your favorite genre to narrate?
Hmmmm….I really don’t have a favorite. I would say a well written story, both fiction and non-fiction. However, I like Historical fiction and autobiographies.
As an author, I rarely meet a person who doesn’t want to write a book. Have you ever wanted to write one? If so, what genre would it be?
I have thought about it, with the encouragement of my son. I would write about my life as “an accidental teacher”.
What time of day do you work best?
I am a morning person! I run out of gas around 3:30. Probably comes from 20 years of teaching.
Just in the past few years, books published each month, have gone from 50,000 to over 80,000. This means, authors, especially self-published authors, have a ton of competition. Has the voice-over business seen a similar growth?
Oh my yes!!!! The good news is how accepting the industry is now of home studios. In fact, many companies that I contract with require a home studio.
Now for some fun questions
If a famous restaurant named a sandwich after you, what would it be called?
The Sandrich. It would have sprouts, avocado and pimento cheese on it and be on some kind of artisan bread.
In the Sweet Thangs Mysteries, you’re narrating, my character, Rayann, is afraid of everything from skunks to garden gnomes. What unusual thing/things are you afraid of if any? I’m not talking spiders or snakes, etc.
Bridges!!!!!! They fall!!!!!! I have discovered that this phobia is not that uncommon; not like the goofy things Rayann is afraid of! She has a healthy respect for skunks, but I still scratch my head over the gnome thing. Kinda like her fear of clowns.
If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, other than food and water, what two items would you want to have with you?
Duct tape and very sharp knife.
According to world news, it won’t be too far in the future until regular folks can travel into space. Would you want to go?
NO THANK YOU!!!!!!
If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
I would live in the mountains of Colorado. I love the seasons: ski in the winter and golf in the summer. The weather is spectacular!
What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?
My children, mostly. I wonder how they are doing; what they are doing; if they are happy. (they are all grown)
In the animal world, would you be a sheep or a wolf? Why?
I would rather be a wolf. I do not have the herd mentality of sheep.
People always ask me what book I’m reading. I think they expect authors to only be writers, not readers. But the truth is, you can’t be a writer if you don’t read. So, I’m generally reading at least 10 unpublished works from fellow writers, and one published book for my own enjoyment. I know you have to read the books you narrate, but do you read other books…or, do you listen to other audiobooks? If so, who is your favorite author?
I do love to read for fun. I love the books that Dorothea Benton Frank writes. I also listen to audiobooks for inspiration. My problem with listening to audiobooks is that I also hear the small mistakes that are missed in editing; mispronunciation and such as that.
Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life and why?
Probably my dad. He was a man of virtue, but was also funny and quirky. He also was a performer, as was my mom. Dad said to take what life gives you and don’t overthink it! Just go with it! I really think he was trying to teach me perseverance.
Thank you, Sandra! I’ve loved learning about your process!
