“With a voice that’s affable, earnest, and mellow, I’m like
a captivating tour guide on your most enjoyable vacation.” 

Compelling: I recorded my first audiobook in 2003 and work exclusively in audiobooks. Since I’m an Atlanta native, books set in the South and/or starring Southern characters are a natural fit for me. I love to laugh and have a great sense of humor, so I especially shine in comedic reads such as the Dixie Divas cozy mystery series. I also have excelled in narrating biography, memoir, history, self-development, and other Non-Fiction titles.

AudioFile Magazine praised my ability to “capture the wry humor and wit of the author” and deliver a Southern accent that “sounds Southern but not syrupy”. The magazine has described my narration as “solid” and “intimate,” while noting that I performed a memoir with “the right emotional touch” and changed my voice for quotes, “never overdoing it.” My solo narrations have been finalists for SOVAS and Independent Audiobook Awards, and I was a cast member in a production that won Earphones, SOVAS, and Audies awards.

Non-union talent with home studio

Partial List of Publishers:

• Jewel Audiobooks
• Macmillan Audio
• Penguin Random House Audio
• Rowman & Littlefield
• Spectrum Audiobooks

Accents:

Atlanta native specializing in Southern accents. Others learned in service of book.

Committed: I’m an Audible Approved Producer who has produced and recorded 80 titles in my studio. I have completed and continue to undertake extensive specialized training and coaching in audiobook narration technique, as well as digital audio production using Pro Tools software. I study accents as needed for the book. My husband Drew directs me on every book, which improves my performance and reduces pickups. When I produce an audiobook, I hire a professional engineer to edit, proof, and master my recordings.

Education Highlights:

• Joel Froomkin Acting For Audio beginning and advanced courses (each 15 weeks)
• Paul Ruben Audiobook Narrator Workshop
• Beginning courses in Spanish and French; studied German in high school and college
• Harvard CopyrightX
• MS, Computer Information Systems
• BA, Journalism, Magna Cum Laude

Communicator: I like to say, “You can’t spell Communications without Commins!” Even in my previous technical IT positions spanning 25 years, my strong communications skills were highly commended. Not only did I manage large-scale systems and projects and keep everyone well-informed, but I taught people how to use their computers and software. In addition to writing articles on my blog and elsewhere, I’m well known by narrators for the advice I’ve offered and knowledge I’ve shared in Facebook groups, emails, and private consultations. I frequently am asked to speak on podcasts and co-host Anne Flosnik’s biweekly Clubhouse show Narrator Uplift.

Details about my studio:

• Studiobricks double-walled sound isolation enclosure
• Audio Technica 4047 microphones
• Grace Design m101 mic pre-amp
• Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 interface
• Apple iMac computer
• Pro Tools Digital Audio Workstation

Cartographer: With my considerable superpower of organization, I’ve long been a leading curator of information about the audiobook industry. I decided to discover and map all of the best information and resources about audiobook narration and also create new content for narrators in a single site. Whether you want to be a narrator or already are one, my site NarratorsRoadmap.com is THE destination for audiobook narrators of all levels!