How to Become a Reader of Books on Tape
If you love reading and have a good speaking voice, you may be a perfect candidate for a career as a reader of books on tape. Breaking into the business takes hard work, preparation and perseverance.
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Instructions
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Study with a vocal coach. Even if you already have a great voice, you will need to know how to use it properly for hours a day in order to prevent strain or damage. You can find vocal coaches in your area in publications or websites that cater to singers and actors.
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Build your resume. You may be able to get your start in reading books on tape through your local library or your local university, both of which may have programs to provide books on tape to the visually impaired.
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Prepare a demo tape. If you do not have the equipment needed, you will need to need to hire a sound engineer. Your demo tape (which should actually be a CD, and never a tape) should contain at least 10 tracks of no less than 30 seconds each. Each track should be from a different book, and should be read in a different style. Some sample tracks might include children's books, poetry, thrillers, romance or science. The demo should showcase your strengths and play up your diverse abilities.
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Watch publishers' websites. Most major publishing houses (HarperCollins, Random House, etc.) will list openings for readers on the careers page.
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Mail copies of your resume and demo to publishers. Even if there are no openings at the moment, the publisher may save your demo or resume and call you when a position is available.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to find voiceover work in other media, such as commercials or independent films. Having more voice credits on your resume makes you look more appealing to potential employers. You can find potential openings for these sorts of gigs on Craigslist or in your local paper.
