Inside the Studio with Audiobook Narrator Johanna Parker

Behind the scenes look at an audiobook narrator's daily grind. Colum McCann's Let the Great World Spin was an honor to narrate and I attempt here to recreate the methodical obsession that reading a good book can bring out in me. Then there are the croissants I'm not allowed to totrure my instrument with and the sound engineer's POV as well. I promise to record myself narrating the next Sookie Stackhouse (not before its release date!) though I can't promise to wear short shorts and a Merlotte's T-shirt. It gets cooold in that booth.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• audiobook narrator
• johanna parker
• sookie stackhouse
• colum mccann
• narration
• recorded book
• jmc sound
• microphone
• croissants
• recording a book

[rosepink135]

Mrs. Parker.. Your the best!

I'm a full time teacher at a daycare and a full time college student.

needless to say I'm always terribly busy.

I have the audio books of the Sookie Novels.. It's the only way I ever have time these days to keep up with my favorite authors..

Your voice is truly a delight.

Also I'd like to add that I'm a southern girl myself and you do a wonderful southern accent for Sookie! i love it!

thank you so much!

<3 Rose

[MsJobelina]

@rosepink135

This note means so much to me Rose! From a Southern girl like you, it's especially wonderful. Full time X 2 is intense, I know, and I'm honored that you spend what little down time you have listening to these books. In the process of prepping newest Sookie as we speak and it's a great one. I'm so lucky to have Charlaine's words and imagination in that booth with me.

Thank YOU so much! Very grateful for your sweet words.

Al my best,

Johanna

[kittykat1024]

You are so awesome Johanna you made it so easy for me to listen to sookie stackhouse and it brought the whole series to life for me. i dont want anyone else to read sookie to me, your my one true <3 lol =) Thanks alot!!!!!!!!!

[MsJobelina]

@kittykat1024

YAY!!!! Thanks Kitty. I'll keep reading these amazing books to you as long as the awesome Charlaine writes them I hope! Prepping newest intallment right now. Gotta find some voices I did way back when so I can stay as consistent as possible. 10 books to search through--I'm on it! Hope you are having a lovely day and please forgive my delay in responding.

All my best,

Johanna

[VictoriasFolly]

When do we get to watch Johanna reading Sookie & team? Would love to see that. Amazing gift for giving each character it's own distinct personality from a an audio perspective. Perhaps documentary material?

[TucoRamirez2]

Actually, I have yet to get a perfect read. 

[TucoRamirez2]

I know how difficult it is to get the perfect read. You did a great job.

[happylilsunbeam]

This lady ROCKS! She is so engaging and fabulous to listen to!!

[fuzzypeachmonkey]

Yay this is such a delight to see. I love to read paper books, but I always buy the audiobooks for sookie stackhouse because you're voice is now the voice of sookie stackhouse in my head. It's so calm and smooth and I love the guy's voices you do. I love Alexander Skarsgard, but your voice for eric is so much better than the actors. So cool. Can't wait to see you do the recorded after the audiobook comes out (which I am definitely buying on May 3rd! So excited)

[VictoriasFolly]

Truly interesting to watch you in action. The audiobook process seems much more difficult acting as you must convey so much with your voice - all without any video visual aides. I've been listening to audiobooks for years, and consider your up there with the best. I particularly enjoy the Sookie Stackhouse series - tremendous range with a very authentic southern accident, especially for a Yankee! :-)

[hgpwns]

First of all, you are such a wonderful story teller. I really love listening to you, especially when I'm headed to sleep. Back when I was half way from finishing the 10 Sookie books, there were nights where I just stay up and listen to you :) Until now I still listen to your audio books again and again, I can't sleep without listening to you.

Now that I got that off my chest, can you update us about the Sookie series? When are the other books coming out?

[rosepink135]

Mrs. Parker,

Maybe you know, is it true there will be 3 more books after the last one that just came out this past year?