Author: James W. George

Narrator: Angus Freathy

Length: 6h 18m

Publisher: James W. George

Genre: Historical Fiction

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Q&A with Narrator Angus Freathy

• When did you know you wanted to be an audiobook narrator? Excellent question - my grandfather was blind from a young age and really appreciated what we called ‘talking books’, which came to him in the form of records - ‘78s’. At that time, it was not an easily accessible profession, but something probably lay dormant in my psyche!!
• How did you wind up narrating audiobooks? Was it always your goal or was it something you stumbled into by chance? When I was getting into VO, a year or so ago, one of my mentors suggested that, as I seemed to enjoy telling stories and jokes, audiobooks might be a good avenue for me. My speech patterns and delivery are perhaps less conducive to ‘commercials’, so it seemed like a good project to try.
• Did you find it difficult to “break into” audiobook narration? What skill/tool helped you the most when getting started? It was actually not that difficult - a ‘Meet-Up’ group led me to ACX, I recorded seven auditions and was accepted for three of them! Not sure what about me was attractive to rights holders, but I’m happy to be starting in a good direction.
• A lot of narrators seem to have a background in theatre. Is that something you think is essential to a successful narration career? It would probably be helpful when creating a particular ‘character’ in a fiction work, perhaps less so in a non-fiction context. ‘Essential’ is perhaps overstepping!
• What type of training have you undergone? I enrolled in a 6-month coaching programme with Such A Voice - individual coaching sessions using Skype, as well as two ‘in-person’ workshops and four tele-conferences covering editing and studio set-up.
• How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for narrating? One issue I have had is that the full text of a book is not available until after a contract is agreed. Luckily, the novels I have done have all been excellent reads and I hope that my enthusiasm for the story has come through into my narration. My not-yet-perfect delivery technique is the only really issue I have, particularly the removal of ‘mouth noise’, which is probably the most tedious thing I have ever done in my life!! The enthusiasm comes back when I see the next challenging project.
• Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you? Probably not as much as I should be, given that I am trying to become a proficient narrator!! I think that the convenience and portability of the format are two of its main advantages, apart, of course, from the extra dimension that a sparkling narration can offer …..
• What are your favorite and least favorite parts of narrating an audiobook? See above for the part I don’t like (the clean-up process). My favourite moments so far were a spontaneous emotional voice-catch that I did not dare leave in the final edit of ‘My Father’s Kingdom’ (no spoilers, however) and another spontaneous laugh in another book, which I recall leaving out also! (The author wanted ‘dead-pan’ delivery!!)
• What would you say are your strongest narration abilities? A ‘proper’ accent :-) - decent diction and, I hope, the ability to understand what an author is trying to convey.
• Is there a particular genre you feel unsuited for? Have you ever declined a project because you didn’t think you were right for it? I have discovered that I am not strong in Portuguese, but received great guidance from an author in my first project. I’m probably not comfortable with Louis L'amour-type western novels or anything ‘romantic’. I declined a second project from a rights holder because the first one I did for him was appallingly badly written - full of grammatical and spelling errors. Don’t have the patience for that. I also turned down a novel which turned out to have a rather violent theme.
• What about this title compelled you to audition as narrator? Mr. George approached me, so I was enormously flattered - I immediately enjoyed his writing style and the feedback he gave me after the first audition. He must have seen potential, as he sent me a second audition script before hiring me. As I read the book, I was extremely happy to be narrating it and going back now to identify extracts for this Tour has brought back the feeling of great enjoyment.
• How closely do you prefer to work with authors? As a novice, I am grateful for any guidance the author offers. Any feedback shows that the author is ‘invested’ in a high quality product, as I try to be.
• Who are your “accent inspirations”? Sir Patrick Stewart, Billy Connolly, my high school French master, UK radio performers from my youth!!
• How did you decide how each character should sound in this title? Mr George had a clear vision for the main characters; for the others I just tried stuff!!
• What types of things are harmful to your voice? I wish I knew, then I could reduce the wretched mouth noise!! I have read that coffee is not good. (the ‘green apple’ thing is a myth!)
• Has anyone ever recognized you from your voice? Yes, but it’s a silly story - back in the 80s, I used to do fundraising breaks on the PBS TV and radio stations here in Columbus, Ohio. One afternoon, sitting in Ohio Stadium watching the Buckeyes, at half-time, the man next to me said ‘well at least you have gone two quarters without asking me for a pledge’!!
• Have there been any characters that you really connected with? Probably all of them, to a greater or lesser extent!!
• If you had the power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go? Now that is an interesting one! Yes - probably back to when my parents were young, to experience what they experienced and then forward, to see in which field my grandchildren succeed (we have a 70-year age difference!). I might briefly visit Los Angeles in the 1940s, before it became as it is now, and the Middle East a hundred years hence, in the hope that people have come to their senses. Enough politics - I’d also like to experience a driverless car.
• How does audiobook narration differ from other types of voiceover work you've done? It is introspective and long-term. There is great scope to develop and refine a product.
• Do you read reviews for your audiobooks? I read just one - I think it was written by the author!!
• Who is your “dream author” that you would like to record for? Mary Lou Longworth, a Canadian living in France, who has a series of mysteries that I thoroughly enjoy. (I did contact her, very nice reply, but no word from her publisher so far - not holding my breath..)
• What bits of advice would you give to aspiring audiobook narrators? Follow your dream; find a coach you respect and enjoy; do some things that may not be your ‘ideal’ - they are excellent training; make sure you do the best you can; have fun!
• What’s next for you? I hope to be offered the sequel to ‘My Father’s Kingdom’! I have two language-learning books in production, then I’m not sure, but maybe a foray into e-learning.