Narrated by Heather Firth & Jeremy York

SFN: How did you learn to narrate audiobooks?

AE: I’m a trained actor. I have a BA in Acting from Fordham University and I’ve also trained at the London Dramatic Academy and Stella Adler. I found audiobook narration through the voiceover world. I always knew I wanted to be an actor and while studying acting for theatre and film/tv I always loved the vocal aspect of the craft. After I graduated I began pursuing voiceover work and that led me to audiobook narration. I worked with a few coaches to learn the medium, but I think having an acting background made a big difference. I also learned a lot about narrating by listening to audiobooks.

SFN: What's your pre-recording ritual?

AE: As soon as I wake up, I begin the day by hydrating. Then I do a lot of stretching and vocal warm ups to prepare my instrument for a long recording session. I think proper vocal warm ups are important to maintaining vocal health. When I get in the booth, I’ll review the characters for the chapter I’m on and the circumstances for where I am in the story. Then I like to read a page or two aloud before I hit record to get in sync with the author’s writing style.

SFN: How long are your recording days? How do you keep yourself present/fresh/awake...?

AE: I typically record 2 finished hours of audio per day and I’ll schedule my sessions that way. I take breaks between chapters when I need them but I don’t schedule them in advance. I always seem to need a tea break and to stretch my legs around 3:30pm though.

SFN: Do you recall a specific book you connected with viscerally as a young reader or as an adult?

AE: As a child, the Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park taught me to love reading. One of my other all-time favorite books is A Room with a View by E.M. Forster. I first read it in high school and there’s a scene where Lucy falls onto an open terrace and the violets surrounding her are described like water. I think it’s the most beautiful depiction of nature and young love blooming. As an adult, my answer frequently changes but I really loved Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

SFN: When you read for pleasure, what is your go-to genre?

AE: I share books with my mom and my sister so I often will read whatever they recently read and loved. It can be difficult to find time to read for pleasure when my narration schedule gets busy though. My favorite genres are usually mystery and contemporary romance.

Don't miss Alexa's performance in this week's featured sale audio, Stay Over by Kaylee Ryan!

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