Tag Archives: APE

Welcome to part 2 of our Featured Finalist series, where we’re highlighting the best auditions from the Audible Studios/ACX open casting of Guy Kawasaki’s APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur. Yesterday, we met Janet Borrus, and today, we’ll introduce you to actor Corey Snow. Check out his profile on ACX, and invite him to audition for your title today!

Name: Corey Snow

Number of titles currently on Audible: 20

How did you prepare for your audition for APE?

For APE, I prepared in the same way I do for every audition. First, I download the audition copy and printed it out. Next, I read the entire script, carefully, to get a sense of how it flows. Some areas will be drier, others will have a different sound. For example, in the APE audition, there was a portion where the script describes how self-publishing challenges traditional publishers. The tone there gets a little bit excited; you want people to realize that hey, this is the cool part. In other areas, it’s much more staid. I try to find the “subtext,” because that’s what you use to make the narration really work. It drives everything in very subtle ways.

After reading the script at least once (usually twice), I’ll put it on my copy stand and record it, just as I would a regular book, then upload it and move on to the next one.

At what genre’s/vocal styles do you excel?

I specialize in nonfiction – military history especially –  as well as biographies and memoirs. I am a former soldier and have a good command of military jargon, plus my voice is suited for that type of delivery. It’s deep, relatively smooth and clear.

That said, I’m a passionate reader of science fiction and fantasy on my own, and really enjoy the chance to read such titles. I’ve been the narrator for an urban fantasy series (The DeChance Chronicles by David Wilson) since its inception and being able to narrate characters like vampires, a blues-playing ghost, sorcerers and bikers is a lot of fun. You can also really get creative with voices in fiction in ways you can’t in nonfiction, especially when the characters aren’t human!

How do you produce audiobooks?

I have a personal studio in my home, and I’ve spent a lot of time and a moderate amount of money making it into a good recording space.

I narrate in my studio, using punch and roll. I’m a very efficient editor myself so I will often manage the editing personally. That said, if I have narration work waiting, I’ll hire out the editing so I can get to the recording because it’s more cost-effective. I’m very blessed to work with very good editors and proofers, so I don’t have to worry about compromising quality. As to mastering, I handle that for my projects on ACX, and I like to think I’m getting pretty good at it.

Favorite title you’ve produced/voiced?

I recently completed Thunder Below! by Eugene B. Fluckey, which is about the submarine USS Barb in World War II. This sub and its crew did some utterly amazing things during the war, including being the first sub to use rockets in combat and conducting the only land operation on the Japanese home islands.

I loved Thunder Below! not just because it’s a great story, but also – and this is sort of the kid in me, I’ll admit –  because I got to stand there with a microphone and shout stuff like “CLEAR THE BRIDGE! BATTLE STATIONS TORPEDOES! DIVE DIVE DIVE!” and even make the klaxon noises for the diving alarm (AA-OOO-GAH!) . I felt like I was in a movie, it was so much fun.

If you’d like to invite Corey to audition for your next title, check out his ACX profile here. Check back tomorrow for another Featured Finalist!