Intro to Audiobook Narration

with Jessica Geffen

Cost: $50

About the instructor:

Jessica Geffen is a professional actor, voice actor, and audiobook narrator with over 20 years of experience in theatre, film, and voiceover. She is an Audible Approved Producer with more than 100 audiobooks to her name, and her voice has been featured in work for Amazon, Old Navy, Intel, Microsoft, National Geographic, Intuit, TiVo, and more. On camera, Jessica appeared in national campaigns for the Ad Council and CDC, and regionally for Taylor Farms.

Her stage work includes six years as a Resident Actor and Associate Artist with Bag&Baggage Productions, as well as performances with Theatre Vertigo, PDX Playwrights, Well Arts, Public Playhouse, Portland Actors Ensemble, and Lunacy Stageworks. She received the Broadway World Award for Best Featured Actress in Blithe Spirit and a Drammy Award nomination for The Drowning Girls.

Jessica is represented by The Option Agency, Big Fish NW, and several regional VO agencies. She is also the owner of The Sound Stage in Vancouver, WA —

a recording studio supporting voice actors, podcasters, and filmmakers across the Pacific Northwest.

Join us in-person

at The Sound Stage

Tuesday, November 11

10:00-12:00PM

Introduction to Audiobook Narration

You asked, and it’s here! If you’ve ever thought about audiobook narration but weren’t sure how to start, this workshop is designed for you.

With over 100 audiobooks narrated and produced, and as an Audible Approved Producer, I’ll guide you through both the business and the artistry of long-form narration. Audiobook narration isn’t just “reading out loud”—it’s a unique craft with its own techniques, challenges, and opportunities.

What You’ll Learn

In this session, we’ll cover:

The world of audiobook narration – how it differs from commercial VO, animation, or other genres.
The performance side – pacing, stamina, character voices, and how to keep listeners engaged over hours of content.
The technical side – recording, editing basics, and what “punch and roll” means (and why narrators love it).
The business side – how to find opportunities, what platforms (like ACX, Findaway, and publishers) are looking for, and how narrators get paid.
The production pipeline – the steps required to take an audiobook from start to finish: narrating, proofing, editing, engineering, mastering to spec, and QC.
The time investment – what’s known as a narrator’s “ratio”: how many hours it typically takes to produce one finished hour of audio, both as a narrator and as a producer.
Next steps – what to do after this workshop if you want to pursue audiobook work further.

Who This Workshop Is For

Actors or voice actors curious about breaking into audiobooks.
Beginners who want a supportive, beginner-friendly introduction.
Anyone wondering whether audiobook narration might be the right fit for their voice and skill set.

Why Take This Workshop

Audiobook narration is one of the fastest-growing areas in voiceover, but it requires specialized skills and knowledge. This workshop gives you a clear look at what it takes—without the overwhelm—so you can make informed decisions about whether to pursue it.

Leave With

A solid understanding of the audiobook industry and workflow
Practical insight into both the creative and technical sides of narration
Clear next steps for training, auditioning, and building your audiobook career