Who Should Get Coaching?

Whether you are a newbie to acting, established actor or an author, there is something to learn in either pivoting skills or the whole kit and kaboodle of deep, honest performance. It takes a lot more than a love of books, passion and a good voice to run this gauntlet (just like it takes more than a pair of great shoes and being relatively in shape to run a marathon).

Audiobook narration really is a marathon! This is a type of acting work that doesn’t exist in any other medium. It is a one person show for 6-12+ hrs playing all the parts (fiction). For Non fiction: an incredible, heartfelt, funny or engaging lecture about something an author deeply needs to share, has researched and lived.

It is an art form and a profession, both of which take time (and yes money) to honor. We hold another artist’s work in our hands (authors I love you!). I believe we have a responsibility to those years of time/money/effort. Performers, aspiring narrators or even the authors themselves, need to do the work of learning, getting feedback, practicing, training and listening.

Let’s start at a place you can be proud of and an author or listener will feel honored or better yet captivated by!

Newbies

If you are completely new to acting but just looooove books and have been wanting to see if this is a path for you, then I can help. Having worked with people at life transitions, diving into audiobooks for the first time, I give realistic and gentle guiding education as you explore. The first session is usually a lot of “what to expect” as a newbie.
In this art form we are taking another person’s hard, labored over, work in our hands. Therefore, it is even more important to take the time to learn, listen and practice! So good for you for taking the plunge!! I have plenty of life preservers from my over 15 years in the biz!

We will go over:

– The overall ins and outs of starting in this business (setting expectations about time & money, of learning a new skill and the business of audiobooks)
– Honest evaluation. Where are you starting from? What is our expected time frame to get you to the level of demos and auditions! What/ how does this fit into your life.

Non Fiction

– The different types: Historical, business, self help, memoire etc
– How to think from the perspective of the author
– How to be engaged and truthful while inviting the listener to come to you

Fiction

– The different POV’s, 1st, 3rd person limited, 3rd person omniscient
– How to truly live in the moment with truth and vulnerability
– How to be aware of the whole of story crafting: the story of the book, section, chapter, paragraph and sentence

Character voices:
– How to figure out and make choices that support the question “Why are they even in this story?”
– How to create believable, sustainable choices
– How to create multiple characters opposite to the sex you identify as
– How to create variety both broad and subtle
– How to find your home run zone

Eventually working on, choosing, putting together your demo pieces!

How to and where to audition/get work.

… and more

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From the moment I connected with Erin as my narration coach, I felt in the hands of a true professional who gives all her students in class individual attention tailored to each need. She conveys layer upon layer of narration & business knowledge, expertise, skill and wisdom, that falls on the rich ground of all those willing to listen and take action in this booming industry. As a past student of Erin I am blessed to tap into all the resources she so lovingly shares, and the seamless support which she always finds time to gift all who seek out her help. A generous and diligent teacher with a passion directed at opening up each talent, no matter the level of experience, in such confident, consistent and supportive ways. The new reading is listening, and Erin is a superb ambassador for its blossoming.

- Zanna Fidler,
Nascent Narrator

Erin provided me with a solid foundation to break into the wonderful world of audiobooks, not only with the vocal techniques and character building aspects of it, but confidence and business foundation to make audiobooks a tangible career path for me, transcending language or cultures.

- Juliana Vélez,
Spanish voice over talent

I had Erin as both a private coach and instructor at On The Mic for audiobook narration and she was fantastic! Erin is very educated in the performing arts and has many years of professional experience narrating books. Her teaching style is well thought out and she gave us great direction while in the booth. She also knows a lot about editing for audiobooks. Erin helped coach me when I landed my first audiobook gig and because of her, I was able to properly prepare for my recording, be efficient and professional. I highly recommend Erin as an audiobook coach!

- Jenn Tiles,
IG: sparklejenergy

I am so grateful to have had the chance to have studied with the incredibly gifted Erin Moon. We covered a large array of materials during the 4 weeks I spent with her, each class meticulously building on the next so that by the end we were recording long samples of complex materials. We discussed in great detail all the various aspects both technical and creative that lead to a successful career as an audiobook narrator… and as someone who had just started in the industry with only a couple of books under my belt I found her instruction detailed, meticulous and invaluable. She clearly has great passion for the industry which she shares in spades. Working with Erin is a must for anyone starting out or simply thinking about whether or not delving further into the audiobook industry is for them.

- Fiona Marrello,
Described Video / Audiobook Narrator / Actor. IG @fionamarrellobooks

Established Actors

It is all about the pivot. Your skills apply but it is a fundamentally different medium.

Film, TV, Stage and VO acting skills absolutely applies to Audiobook narration. Aaaaaand just as a film or VO person may find it hard to pivot to stage work or vsv, getting even a wee bit of coaching can make all the difference to an easeful and PROFESSIONAL first go around.

Generally, established actors need a little less performance coaching overall. We will work on:
- performance for audiobooks (how is it different, tricks of the trade, pivot skills)
- the process top to bottom once you get the gig!
- learning to understand the genre, POV, non fic
- learning the “business of audiobooks”.

We will up your skills in characterization, subtext and conversational truth within this new-to-you medium. This can you give you step-up you need, if you are a newer narrator, and the step-in your need for an actor diversifying your work portfolio.

I also coach/direct/evaluate Demos and Auditions for when you are ready to get out there or are out there already!

GROUPS!

I am always happy to teach groups online as well. So, gather a few of your actor friends and we can create a class for you!

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Erin created a safe space for learning and, perhaps more importantly, practice during our time working together. I learned a lot from her instruction and guidance and was able to develop and hone my skills, gain knowledge of best practices for audiobook narration, and build the confidence to put myself out there and audition. As a result, I am now working as a contractor for a local publishing company and have narrated (including editing) three audiobooks with two more on the go!

Thank you Erin for being so generous with your time, knowledge, and experience. Many people teach, but not all are able to instil confidence.

- Adam Drake,
VO Artist, Audiobook narrator

Thanks to audiobook veteran Erin Moon for coaching me on the nuances of audiobook narration. Within WEEKS of working with her, I booked my first gig, and felt totally prepared in the studio. I HIGHLY recommend her as a coach.

- Omari Newton,
Actor, writer, producer, activist and now Audiobook narrator!

Working with Erin has nurtured my narration in the best possible way! No matter what angle of audiobooks I want to look at with her, she always brings incredibly precise advice and techniques that get me exactly where I need to be. Her approach is backed by a solid education and vast experience, but it’s also very personalized. I feel like she is able to bring out of me the specific ah-ha moment that I need and I’m always left feeling like I’ve leveled up my game in a fabulous new way. Erin is such a beautiful person, inside and out, and I am beyond grateful to have her in my corner.

- Stefanie Kay / Fiona Dexter

Erin Moon is an incredible narrator and coach. She is my secret weapon when working on material for an audition or a demo. She is so knowledgeable at parsing the text and figuring out how close you as the narrator should be to the POV of the character. Erin knows how to put the clues in the text together like a puzzle and I always leave a session feeling more confident in my abilities. Oh top of that – I just love listening to her narration! I look forward to working with and listening to Erin for many years to come.

- Amanda Berry,
Vo artist and Audiobook narrator

Erin is my everything. Too much? Nah. She has made me a better narrator and helped me find the path I want to take on my narration journey. So much of my doubt and worry about how to approach the text has been replaced with confidence and joy. I love narrating. And I especially love working with Erin and learning how to be inside the story. Her approach is straightforward, truly kind, and effective as all get out.

- Beth Hicks,
VO Artist, Audiobook Director

The incredibly talented Erin Moon introduced me to the world of audiobook narration as my instructor at On The Mic Training, and has continued to be an encouraging and supportive mentor to me. Her passion and engagement towards the work we did in class ignited my own passion for it! She gives constructive feedback and personally-tailored direction that is clearly designed to help each of her students reach their full potential. I would absolutely recommend Erin as a coach, and I am so thankful to have such a wonderful person by my side on my voice-over journey.

- Brittany Lynn Carter,
Voice Actor

Authors

Are you an author wanting to narrate your book?!
Erin will work with you and give you honest feedback about whether this is the right road for your book. She is sensitive and caring while being honest. She will work with you before you get in the booth to make sure that what you hope to give the world is coming across in the best possible light for the audio medium. Listeners really do love hearing authors read their own work (mostly the case for Memoire and Non Fiction!). Sometimes that feels like reading instead of sharing and that is something we can work on together!

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When I was introduced to Erin through a fellow author who raved about working with her, I was still unsure if I wanted to narrate my book. It felt daunting beyond measure. Through Erin’s empathic and attentive coaching style and her dedication to storytelling, I realized not only was it possible for me to read my own book, it was necessary. Her keen experience in the field shined through over the 6 weeks we worked together as I gained unexpected confidence in connecting with the words on the page in a way I never thought possible. Erin’s brilliant insights allowed me to not just read my book, but to connect with my lived experience and share it with emotion and authenticity. I am deeply grateful to her for showing me what an art form this can truly be, through her candor and just the right amount of push, so I could share my story with grace.

- Dr. Jessica Zucker,
“I had a miscarriage"

Erin is an absolutely amazing coach! With a stellar ear she figures out exactly what you need (in record time), and guides you in the right direction with a very smooth and easy coaching style. She helped me with my first book and I swear she took me from kindergarten to high school in three fun sessions! I look forward to more lessons with Erin because she knows her stuff…and she’s incredibly sweet.

- Jonathan Brown,
(narrates as J.J. Wolfe) author, narrator

As a poet and fiction writer with no formal acting training, I was so nervous about narrating the audiobook for my YA novel. I scoured the internet for narration resources and happened upon a four-session course being facilitated by Erin. Signing up for this course was the absolute best thing I could have done for myself as an author-turned-narrator. Erin’s coaching was empowering, compassionate and insightful. Through hands-on practice in an audio booth, Erin helped me better understand narrative voices, tonal shifts, pacing, cadence and vocal drama. I was so impressed with the course that I booked a one-on-one session with Erin over Zoom, as well. Although we were not working together in person, Erin was so helpful over Zoom, helping me tap into the deepest emotions of the scenes I was reading. Erin’s coaching instilled so much confidence in me and I felt much more comfortable recording my novel as a result. My audiobook—the first full length fiction novel I had ever recorded—went on to be a Kobo Audiobook of the Month pick and received a starred review from ALA Booklist. This wouldn’t have been possible without Erin.

- Jasmin Kaur,
@jusmun

Freebies

Because we all need a boost sometimes here are a few freebies to get you thinking about your path as an audiobooks narrator!

Content coming soon...I am working on it..... no truly I am!!!

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About Erin as a coach and teacher

Erin has taught audiobook narration workshops and been a panelist/workshop leader/speaker for Universities, VO conferences, Webinars, Audible.com, Recorded Books and Libraries internationally (click here for "Panelist page" ) for over 10years.

She has coached everyone from complete newbies to acting and authors to established actors pivoting into the audiobook’s world.

Due to Erin's unique insight on both sides of the glass, for over 15 years, as a director, career actor and in post production, she is a very knowledgeable, caring and thoughtful private coach on line and in person.

She teaches groups online as well. So, gather a few of your actor friends and she will create a class for you!!!

Erin developed the entire curriculum for both the full time and part time Audiobook Narration classes and is on Faculty as the lead teacher at On The Mic Training in Vancouver and Toronto Canada. She is happy to talk to your VO program/ University etc  about options for workshops/ training and intensives.
​
Erin was adjunct faculty in the movement department teaching Neutral mask to well over 200 students at the renowned American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) for 2 years before leaving New York City where she lived and performed for 13 years.

She is also a coach for theatre and film auditions.

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