In case you missed it, Guild of Tokens is coming to audiobook this summer and will be performed by Audie Award-winning narrator Tavia Gilbert!
Today, I’ve got an interview with Tavia. We cover how she first got into audiobook narration, some of her favorite projects, and a new audio drama podcast she is launching in 2020.
1. How did you first get into audiobook narration?
After I graduated from Cornish College, where I earned a BFA in Acting, I moved to Maine to study documentary radio, and I fell in love with the state and the community. I thought I’d stay in Maine for the rest of my life, but soon realized that it was going to be challenging to make a full-time living as an actor with just stage and commercial work. I was determined to be a full-time professional actor, and realized just at that time that audiobooks were beginning to be recorded in home studios; actors no longer had to be in New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago in order to pursue a voice acting career. I grew my career for several years, then went to grad school for an MFA in writing, and finally, reluctantly, left Maine for New York, so that I could continue to develop my work as an artist entrepreneur.
2. How do you prep for each narrating project? Do you often read the book in advance, or work with the author before recording?
I fully read and prepare the script in advance of narrating a project, including cataloguing all the characters (their physical description, vocal characteristics — especially specific voice qualities and any dialects, their socio-economic status, backgrounds, etc.), all the unfamiliar words that I must look up in advance or clear with the author, the book’s structure, and most importantly, any attributions to dialogue that follow speech (i.e. “he hissed,” “she growled,” etc.) so that I can infused my performance with the proper vocal tone. Sometimes I have a lot of time in conversation with the author, often I never get to connect with the author at all, but I believe strongly that everything I need is between the covers of the book. Being in touch with the writers themselves is just icing on the cake!
3. Which are some of your favorite fantasy and science fiction projects that you’ve done?
My absolutely favorite science fiction project was Zoe’s Tale, by John Scalzi, who has since become a friend. Zoe’s Tale was perhaps the first science fiction I’d ever READ, and the book, about Zoe, among aliens during the alien circumstances of teenage angst and youthful wisdom and courage, remains very dear to my heart. Scalzi writes science fiction beautifully, I think — concentrating on the humanity of sentient beings. He’s a master, and I’m so grateful I had that opportunity.
4. You’ve done a number of ensemble projects, including Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland’s The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. and Drew Hayes’ Second Hand Curses. How does recording an ensemble piece differ from a solo project?
Anathem and D.O.D.O. were recorded in a solo setting, but required coordination with my fellow actors. We had to ensure continuity of voices, accents, and tones — a part of the job I always enjoy, particularly as audiobook narration is traditionally very isolated work (we’re just talking to ourselves in tiny closets, after all!). But Second Hand Curses was recorded in the studio with Marc Vietor and Scott Aiello, so it gave me so much to play with! We were able to react to each other in real time, infusing the performance not only with authentic repartee, but with the breath (sighs, grunts of dissension, etc.). I love working this way, and wish it were not so infrequent! Audiobook narrators are a small, close-knit community, so not only it is a joy to work with other artists, it’s a delight to work with people you personally like and respect. I definitely want more of it!
5. You recently announced the launch of The Abels, an audio drama podcast coming out in 2020 based on the BBC’s The Archers. Can you tell us more about the project?
The project has been in development with the BBC for the last two years, and came out of my own personal appreciation at the bravery of the Rob & Helen storyline about domestic violence and coercive control that was deeply and bravely explored on the iconic Archers between 2013 and 2016.
During those years, I was listening to a fictionalized violent relationship play out in a way that made me recognize the violence of my own troubled partnership. I thought the story was one American listeners needed, as well, and the BBC was responsive and enthusiastic when I approached them for permission to adapt the story for US audiences.
I soon realized two things: that I wanted to create an ongoing weekly podcast that would tell multi-generational, multi-cultural stories that deepened empathy and could potentially save lives, and that the particular DV storyline that first inspired me could potentially be adapted internationally as a stand-alone audio drama specific to various cultures (DV across the globe may have deep similarities, but what specific language to control and manipulate vulnerable partners will be unique to Greece, or Canada, or Norway).
Ultimately, I want The Abels to be a long-running, high-quality, courageous podcast that entertains and educates its audiences, and I want to work with global partners to launch versions of Helen & Rob throughout the world, educating audiences about the pervasiveness of domestic violence across cultures, hopefully supporting people in freeing themselves from such toxic and dangerous partnerships.
6. Are there any fantasy/science fiction projects you’re working on currently on in the near future that you can talk about?
I’m set to narrate the next installment of the Schooled in Magic series next month. Fans of the series will not be disappointed — there’s more to come!
7. In Guild of Tokens, newbie quester Jen clashes with and then is taken under the wing of the more seasoned and morally gray Beatrice. What did you find most interesting about narrating these disparate characters?
I really enjoyed the clash of personality and the power dynamics between Jen and Beatrice. They need each other, they must work together, they don’t necessarily like each other, but they are committed to making their relationship work — out of necessity (their lives are at stake!) and out of passion and commitment to the game. I am eager to see what happens next, how each woman grows and changes, how they’re challenged, and what they discover about themselves and each other.
You can check out Tavia’s other fantasy and science fiction audiobooks on Audible and if you missed the Enforcer giveaway, click here to get your free copy of the audiobook!