Shelf Made Stories

How to Break Into Audiobook Narration


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Ever wonder who’s behind the voice in your favorite audiobook? Meet Marni Penning, an audiobook narrator with over 350 titles under her belt (plus a spicy secret pseudonym).

In this episode, Marni shares how she went from performing Shakespeare on stage to narrating Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, and Crescent City... all from her basement studio. She shares:

🎙️ What it really takes to be an audiobook narrator (hint: AI could never)
🎭 How she keeps hundreds of character voices straight
🔥 Why she uses a fake name for romance novels
🏠 How she built a six-figure narration career without leaving her house
🤯 That time Whoopi Goldberg fangirled over her
📚 Where to start if you’ve ever thought, “Hey, I could do that…”

This conversation is packed with insider stories, pro tips, and behind-the-scenes gems that’ll make you appreciate your audiobooks in a whole new way.

Find Marni online at theladyhamlet.com

Follow her on social media: 

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • LinkedIn

Resources mentioned in this episode:

  • Graphic Audio: https://www.graphicaudio.net/
  • Recorded Books: https://rbmediaglobal.com/recorded-books/ 
  • Narrators Roadmap: https://www.narratorsroadmap.com/ 
  • Starving Artist No More: https://www.starvingartistnomore.com/
  • Narrator: https://narrator.life/ 
  • ACX: https://www.acx.com/ 
  • Ahab: https://www.ahabtalent.com/ 
  • Beachside Bookfest: https://www.beachsidebookfest.com/ 
  • The video with Whoopi Goldberg: https://www.instagram.com/p/DG7TlWiM38M/ 
  • The Penning Method for the Panicked Actor: https://amzn.to/4kEVfIl 
...more
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Shelf Made StoriesBy Christina Nicholson