Four disabled seventh graders with superpowers take a vacation at Coaster World. They need a break from fighting criminals. Ever since the beginning of the school year when they acquired their unusual abilities, they've been training and using those powers to fight crime in their town.
Little do they know, the arch villain they recently defeated also loves coasters and is vacationing at Coaster World. Worse, the villain wants revenge. Nothing less than turning these teens to a life of crime will satisfy.
Can Jeremy, Dan, Kayla, and Aubrey withstand the villain's attacks? Or will they become Super Villains?
You can only find out by listening to Villain's Vacation.
Buy Links
Buy on Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes
Little do they know, the arch villain they recently defeated also loves coasters and is vacationing at Coaster World. Worse, the villain wants revenge. Nothing less than turning these teens to a life of crime will satisfy.
Can Jeremy, Dan, Kayla, and Aubrey withstand the villain's attacks? Or will they become Super Villains?
You can only find out by listening to Villain's Vacation.
Buy Links
Buy on Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes
Narrator Chat
When did you know you wanted to be an audiobook narrator?
I got into voiceover work and audiobook narration a couple years ago. Before that, it was something I had always appreciated, but not thought about pursuing.
How did you wind up narrating audiobooks? Was it always your goal or was it something you stumbled into by chance?
I discovered audiobook narration as part of my research on voiceover marketplaces. I immediately started auditioning.
Did you find it difficult to “break into” audiobook narration? What skill/tool helped you the most when getting started?
It did take several auditions before I began getting jobs. Learning some basic audio editing techniques helped me develop a more professional sound.
A lot of narrators seem to have a background in theatre. Is that something you think is essential to a successful narration career?
I wouldn’t say it’s required, but a theatre background is so impactful in narration because it develops the same skill set. Script analysis, character analysis, emotional portrayal, vocal, diction, and accent training, and vocal health are all essential narration skills that are developed in the theatre.
What type of the review comments do you find most constructive?
The best review comments are the ones that give specific feedback, like a certain section, character, or tone.
Who is your “dream author” that you would like to record for?
It’s hard to say, really. There are a lot of actors and comedians who have written excellent autobiographies or scripts. I’d love to work with them on an original fiction piece, because their style and voice would be great fun.
If you could narrate one book from your youth what would it be and why?
I would love to narrate Tolkien’s The Hobbit. It’s a great story, and there’s a wealth of characters to develop.
What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
One thing I’ve learned is that in an educational setting, reading a book is a different skill than listening to an audiobook, and we want to develop that skill. However, people process information in different ways, and an audiobook may just flow into one’s brain easier than words off a page. In an educational setting, I’d encourage both teachers and students to use audiobooks as a supplement or companion to reading. Outside of education, any form that lets you retain information or enjoy a story is a form you should engage in.
What bits of advice would you give to aspiring audiobook narrators?
First of all, nothing beats experience. Narrate a few pages, and then a chapter. Look through one of the tons of guides on audio editing and give it a shot. Also, don’t worry about having a professional setup. If all you have is your phone and a blanket, use that. You won’t build up your skills if you’re always waiting for the right time to start.
What’s next for you?
I began teaching this year, so voiceover work has taken a bit of a backseat. I want to use this summer to experiment and learn some new skills, while also getting back into a regular voiceover schedule.
I got into voiceover work and audiobook narration a couple years ago. Before that, it was something I had always appreciated, but not thought about pursuing.
How did you wind up narrating audiobooks? Was it always your goal or was it something you stumbled into by chance?
I discovered audiobook narration as part of my research on voiceover marketplaces. I immediately started auditioning.
Did you find it difficult to “break into” audiobook narration? What skill/tool helped you the most when getting started?
It did take several auditions before I began getting jobs. Learning some basic audio editing techniques helped me develop a more professional sound.
A lot of narrators seem to have a background in theatre. Is that something you think is essential to a successful narration career?
I wouldn’t say it’s required, but a theatre background is so impactful in narration because it develops the same skill set. Script analysis, character analysis, emotional portrayal, vocal, diction, and accent training, and vocal health are all essential narration skills that are developed in the theatre.
What type of the review comments do you find most constructive?
The best review comments are the ones that give specific feedback, like a certain section, character, or tone.
Who is your “dream author” that you would like to record for?
It’s hard to say, really. There are a lot of actors and comedians who have written excellent autobiographies or scripts. I’d love to work with them on an original fiction piece, because their style and voice would be great fun.
If you could narrate one book from your youth what would it be and why?
I would love to narrate Tolkien’s The Hobbit. It’s a great story, and there’s a wealth of characters to develop.
What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
One thing I’ve learned is that in an educational setting, reading a book is a different skill than listening to an audiobook, and we want to develop that skill. However, people process information in different ways, and an audiobook may just flow into one’s brain easier than words off a page. In an educational setting, I’d encourage both teachers and students to use audiobooks as a supplement or companion to reading. Outside of education, any form that lets you retain information or enjoy a story is a form you should engage in.
What bits of advice would you give to aspiring audiobook narrators?
First of all, nothing beats experience. Narrate a few pages, and then a chapter. Look through one of the tons of guides on audio editing and give it a shot. Also, don’t worry about having a professional setup. If all you have is your phone and a blanket, use that. You won’t build up your skills if you’re always waiting for the right time to start.
What’s next for you?
I began teaching this year, so voiceover work has taken a bit of a backseat. I want to use this summer to experiment and learn some new skills, while also getting back into a regular voiceover schedule.
About the Author: Andy Zach
Andy Zach was born Anastasius Zacharias, in Greece. His parents were both zombies. Growing up, he loved animals of all kinds. After moving to the United States as a child, in high school, he won a science fair by bringing toads back from suspended animation. Before turning to fiction, Andy published his Ph.D. thesis "Methods of Revivification for Various Species of the Kingdom Animalia" in the prestigious JAPM, Journal of Paranormal Medicine. Andy, in addition to being the foremost expert on paranormal animals, enjoys breeding phoenixes. He lives in Illinois with his five phoenixes.
With his first book, "Zombie Turkeys" Andy blazed new ground in paranormal humor. The second book in his Life After Life Chronicles, "My Undead Mother-in-law" expands the zombie plague from turkeys to humans, with hilarious results. You can find both volumes on Amazon Kindle, Createspace print, and Audible audiobook editions.
Not content to keep in zombies earthbound, Andy puts them afloat in his third book, "Paranormal Privateers". Just when you thought every funny zombie trope had been explored, new humorous horizons open up. You can get "Paranormal Privateers" in Kindle and print formats. The audiobook is available now on Audible.
Having conquered paranormal animal humor in his first series, Andy Zach launches into middle school superhero genre with Secret Supers. Four disabled seventh graders all get superpowers. Who knew a disability could be so useful for hiding a superpower? But the four friends, Jeremy, Dan, Kayla, and Aubrey confront problems that can't be solved by superpowers.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Amazon
Andy Zach was born Anastasius Zacharias, in Greece. His parents were both zombies. Growing up, he loved animals of all kinds. After moving to the United States as a child, in high school, he won a science fair by bringing toads back from suspended animation. Before turning to fiction, Andy published his Ph.D. thesis "Methods of Revivification for Various Species of the Kingdom Animalia" in the prestigious JAPM, Journal of Paranormal Medicine. Andy, in addition to being the foremost expert on paranormal animals, enjoys breeding phoenixes. He lives in Illinois with his five phoenixes.
With his first book, "Zombie Turkeys" Andy blazed new ground in paranormal humor. The second book in his Life After Life Chronicles, "My Undead Mother-in-law" expands the zombie plague from turkeys to humans, with hilarious results. You can find both volumes on Amazon Kindle, Createspace print, and Audible audiobook editions.
Not content to keep in zombies earthbound, Andy puts them afloat in his third book, "Paranormal Privateers". Just when you thought every funny zombie trope had been explored, new humorous horizons open up. You can get "Paranormal Privateers" in Kindle and print formats. The audiobook is available now on Audible.
Having conquered paranormal animal humor in his first series, Andy Zach launches into middle school superhero genre with Secret Supers. Four disabled seventh graders all get superpowers. Who knew a disability could be so useful for hiding a superpower? But the four friends, Jeremy, Dan, Kayla, and Aubrey confront problems that can't be solved by superpowers.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Amazon
About the Narrator: Michael Stafford
Michael Stafford received his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in 2017 from ACU. He has been performing professionally since 2013. He has performed in regional and educational theaters across Texas for over a decade. In addition to his voiceover and narration work, Michael teaches Theatre and Technical Theatre in Amarillo. Michael would like to thank Andy for being flexible and so great to work with. Michael would also like to thank his wife and daughter for their continuous love and support.
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