Coaching
I've narrated over 200 audiobooks since 2017. These days I also help narrators and authors discover and refine their own audiobook careers (or move through a hurdle that has stopped them in their tracks).
It's one on one, on a video call, an hour at a time. You show up with questions or something you're stuck on: a pitch email, a contract, author outreach, technical issues that are driving you mad, a book you want to take wide, or a slump you can't seem to shake off. We work it out, together. Real solutions and best practices, not time wasted on theory and rhetoric.
$150 · 60 minutes · Paid before the session · One session at a time (no need to purchase a series)
Whom It's For
Narrators with a few finished books behind them who want steadier work with indie authors, or those considering launching an audiobook career (although for those folks, I'll likely send some "homework" in the form of reading/researching before our session!).
Authors and small presses trying to get their audiobooks made, distributed, and out into the world.
Popular Sessions
Author outreach, for maximum success
Bring the message you send to authors (or the draft you can't stop noodling with). We will rewrite it together, and you will leave with one you can send that day.
Selecting for Success: The Audiobook Success Matrix in action
The Audiobook Success Matrix is my video and book guide to spotting which indie books are worth pitching for audio. Bring your shortlist of authors and we'll rank it together. Work through the Matrix first, so the hour will be spent refining your list and not just getting familiar with the method. Find the Matrix on Sleuthy.
The business of working with indies: talking contracts
Bring a contract you're unsure about. You leave knowing which clauses should always be included, when to be flexible about certain things, and when to walk away.
The business of working with indies: scaling up
For when the work isn't as steady as you'd like and instead comes in fits and starts. You leave with a weekly goal and a routine that helps you achieve it.
Ask Me Anything
Got a pile of questions about various things rather than one focus area? Bring them all. Website and demo feedback often ends up here; use my fresh eyes and ears however they can help you!
These are just the topics people book most. I coach plenty more, from performance to production to the psychological strength and mental tools a narration career runs on, so if your question isn't listed, ask anyway.
How It Works
- Get in touch and tell me what you're after.
- Eight quick questions. I'll send them before we book. Rough answers are fine. It just means we don't spend the first twenty minutes of a paid hour on things I could have read in advance.
- Pick a time. Afternoons Eastern suit me best, but I'm happy to work around you.
- Pay for that one session, look for my meeting invitation, and do any "homework" before we meet.
- A written note within a day of our meeting. What we covered, and three to five things to do next.
Selective, on Purpose
There are no packages. You book one hour, and if it helped, you book another. Paying session by session is how the coaches I work with do it, and I find it more honest.
Possibly unexpected disclaimer: too much coaching can squash the instincts that make you good in the first place. So if I think coaching isn't what you need and would be a waste of your money, I'll say so (before you book a session) and point you somewhere better. I've done it before!
What I Don't Do
Book marketing. There's no magic bullet, and I won't sell you one. Ask me and I'll share what I know free of charge.
Your outreach for you. The hour is there to make you good at it so you can plan, execute, and follow up on outreach in a meaningful and successful way.
Would you rather have your book made for you? Royal Wave Media is my company for independent authors: ebooks, print and audio, with line editing, covers, formatting and audiobook production, all à la carte and starting with a free chat. Authors keep their rights and every cent of their royalties.
Hear Me First, Free
Audiobooking is my free live show on Clubhouse, every other Monday. It's a good way to find out how I think before you spend a cent.