Behind the Mike: Simon Vance

Kick-starting LJ's inaugural "Behind the Mike" column, in which audiobook-loving library professionals interview audiobook narrators and producers, is Ophelia Lo's (Canton PL, MI) Q&A with Audie® Award winner Simon Vance (www.simonvance.com; Market Forces), who in 25 years has recorded more than 400 titles. Vance is currently reading Charles Cumming's The Spanish Game for Tantor Media (onsale date 12/15), after which he and other audiobook narrator luminaries will continue to voice Macmillan Audio's full-cast production of Chapterhouse Dune, the sixth volume of Frank Herbert's celebrated Dune series.

What does it take to be a first-rate audiobook narrator?

Stamina is very important; reading seven to eight hours a day takes a lot of strength. There's also a creative side to it, the craft side, where an actor's knowledge about the vocal process comes into play. One needs a vivid imagination to put oneself in the story, [to be] the narrator, anonymous and invisible. Characters need a wide range of work.

You were born in England and studied acting there. How much of your success can be attributed to your acting training?

There was no formal acting training, really. During my formative years, I attended Saturday morning drama school consistently for five years. I was in the current affairs class for over ten years. I liked playing with the microphone from an early age. Then 25 years ago I started recording for the blind in London.

Click for complete interview.