Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast

Brenda
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Performing Arts

Good Aural is a podcast about what makes an audiobook work. Hosted by award winning narrator Brenda Scott Wlazlo, this podcast breaks down what actually makes a performance land. We cover everything from character and chemistry to pacing, prep, and the moments that make listeners stay. For narrators, actors, audiobook fans, and anyone curious about the industry, these short episodes are honest, practical, and rooted in real experience.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 21: You Can't Act Genre...Can you? (Re: the Convo on Character Choices)

    Send us Fan Mail Today, I’m revisiting character work and giving my friend Steve his due ;) After my last episode on nuance and character choices, Steve, who is both a character actor and a dialect coach, pointed out that genre changes the conversation. And he’s right. I still think subtlety is king. But subtle doesn’t look the same in every book. A cozy mystery, LitRPG, middle grade adventure, thriller, procedural, romantasy, and mafia romance can all ask for different things from a narrator: different levels of contrast, different pacing, and different ways of building tension. This isn’t a rulebook. Every book and every author are different. But if you can find the emotional truth FIRST and then understand the world that truth is living in you’ll have a much better sense of how far to take a character choice. Because genre isn’t a cage. It’s a clue. ;) Useful resources ACX: narration, pacing, and natural character voicesACX: casting and collaborating on character and toneAudio Publishers Association resourcesACX performance and production resourcesWant to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

  2. Aug 12

    Episode 20: BookTok and the Audiobook Industry (Does Your Follower Count Matter?)

    Send us Fan Mail Lets talk BookTok.  What began as a giant virtual book club is now a major marketing force. Publishers watch it, authors build campaigns around it, and Audible has created a dedicated BookTok destination. In this episode, I talk about how follower counts are becoming part of an audiobook narrator’s professional currency (particularly in romance and LitRPG) and what that means for talented narrators who aren’t interested in becoming full-time content creators. BookTok can help listeners find our work and create incredible career opportunities, but we need to use it intentionally, protect our boundaries, and remember that an algorithm shouldn’t get to decide whether our work matters. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 Block Party Spark 00:51 What Is BookTok 02:30 From Book Club to Industry 04:12 Follower Counts and Casting 07:03 Citing Narrators in Reviews 08:47 Fandom and Parasocial Risks 10:30 When Critique Turns Cruel 11:47 Using BookTok Intentionally 12:53 Promotion as Paid Labor 14:18 Closing Thoughts LINKS: BookTok Helps Sell More Than 50 Million Books Across EuropeFTC Guidance for Endorsements, Influencers, and ReviewsJulia Whelan Has Narrated 600 Audiobooks and Counting—So Why Isn’t She Paid Like It?Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

  3. Aug 5

    Episode 19: When should you raise your rates and how do you do it without panicking?!

    Send us Fan Mail When should you raise your rates and how do you do it without panicking?! In this episode, I’m opening up the hush-hush conversation about money in the audiobook industry. We’re talking about underpricing, scarcity, ongoing series, loyalty rates, invisible labor, and the fear that charging more will make you less castable. Most importantly, I’m giving you a practical plan for moving from where your rates are now to where you want them to be—with real timelines and language you can use when talking to clients. Your rate isn’t a verdict on your worth. It’s a business decision about what your career needs to remain financially, physically, and creatively sustainable. In this episode: When questioning your rate becomes a reason to review itWhy being fully booked doesn’t necessarily mean your business is sustainableThe difference between your personal worth and your business rateHow invisible labor affects what you actually earnMoving from your current rate to your target rateChoosing a 30-, 60-, or 90-day transition timelineRaising rates for new clientsGiving existing clients clear noticeHandling ongoing series and returning-client ratesCharging appropriately for research, accents, pickups, and rush deadlinesWhat to say when a client’s budget doesn’t match your rateMaking intentional exceptions without letting fear make the decisionWhy one client saying no doesn’t mean your increase failedHow to review the results after three or six monthsNavigating transparency, union minimums, and contract confidentialityClient notification script: “I wanted to let you know that beginning [DATE], my standard narration rate will be increasing from [CURRENT RATE] to [NEW RATE]. Projects contracted before that date will remain at our previously agreed rate. I have loved working with you and wanted to give you plenty of time to plan for upcoming projects.” Ongoing-series script: “Since we began this series, my standard rate has increased to [STANDARD RATE]. For the next book in our series, I can offer a returning-client rate of [TRANSITION RATE]. Beginning with the following installment, my standard rate will apply.” When the budget doesn’t align: “I understand. If the budget changes for this or a future project, I would love to talk again.” Your rate-raising checklist: Write down where your rate is now.Decide where you want it to be.Calculate the invisible labor behind the number.Define what your standard rate includes.Choose an effective date.Begin quoting the new rate to new clients.Give existing clients reasonable notice.Create a transition plan for ongoing series.Decide what would justify an exception.Review the results after three or six months.Your rate is not carved in stone. As your experience, expenses, workload, and goals change, your business is allowed to change with them. The goal isn’t to become unaffordable to everyone. The goal is to build a career that is financially, mentally, physically, and creatively sustainable. This episode shares personal experience and general business education. It is not legal, financial, or union-contract advice. Review your individual agreements and consult the appropriate union representative or qualified professional when needed.  Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

  4. Jul 29

    Episode 18: Ethics and AI (A Creative Industry's Dilemma)

    Send us Fan Mail AI use is everywhere. But what does that mean exactly? Did someone use a tool to correct grammar? Did they have it look for redundancy in their writing or did they use it to create a cover, write AND narrate their book?  In this episode, I break down the current AI categories to know in publishing and outline ways that narrators can not just protect their performances, but their moral code, too.  Sources and show notes The Atlantic, “Is This What Comes After AI Slop?” — reporting on the disputed Daggermouth allegations, the unpublished study, Wolfe’s denial, and Simon & Schuster’s response.Pozotron, “Audiobook Proofing Service” and “Script Preparation” — the company’s descriptions of its AI-assisted proofing, preparation, and pickup tools.Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, “Content Guidelines: Artificial Intelligence Content” — definitions and disclosure requirements for AI-generated versus AI-assisted material.U.S. Copyright Office, “Copyright and Artificial Intelligence” and “Registration Guidance for Works Containing AI-Generated Material” — human-authorship and disclosure guidance.ACX, “Voice Replica Beta Help for Producers” — ACX’s description of voice replicas, narrator control, compensation, and product labeling.SAG-AFTRA, “No Contract, No Work Order for Audiobooks” — union restrictions concerning audiobook digital replicas and AI training.National Association of Voice Actors, “Synthetic Voice/AI Rider” — contractual resource for voice actors.Authors Guild, “AI-Related Model Publishing Contract Clauses” — model provisions covering AI narration, artwork, translation, and other publishing uses. Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

  5. Jul 22

    Episode 17: The Duet Narration Disconnect (What Multicast Audiobooks Are Missing)

    Send us Fan Mail This week, I’m talking about the production problem behind duet narration, what audiobooks could learn from audio drama, and the small changes that could make these performances feel FAR more connected. I’m also asking what happens when the cheapest answer to the growing demand for multiple voices becomes AI. Duet narration does not just need two voices. It needs two people who sound like they are actually having the same conversation. Show Note Sources:  “He Said, She Said: Why Creators and Fans Love Dual and Duet Narration” — AudibleInterview with romance author and audio producer Lauren Blakely — AudioFile MagazineSoundbooth Theater FAQHistory of GraphicAudio“U.S. Audiobook Sales Grew 9% in 2025, to $2.43 Billion” — Publishers WeeklyNAVA fAIr Voices resourcesSAG-AFTRA audiobook digital-replica guidanceJulia Whelan on audiobook economics and Audiobrary — Associated PressWant to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

  6. Jul 15

    Episode 16: Finding a Door Into Difficult Stories

    Send us Fan Mail If you're in this industry long enough, you'll get THAT book. That one that challenges your tongue and breath control, the one that didn't get the full editor pass, or the one where the characters and you just don't seem to click.  And I get it. It's hard to get passed. So in this episode we chat about ways to dig in deeper, shift your mindset and do the dang thing.  Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

  7. Jul 2

    Episode 15: My Biggest Prediction About Audiobooks

    Send us Fan Mail Audiobooks are more popular than ever and that means that companies are going to compete to keep the consumer attention on THEIR platform. What does that have to do with us? A lot.  In this episode we deep dive into my predictions about the future of audiobook consumerism, the reasoning behind the current shift into streaming, and what we can do to make sure our names are at the top of future go to lists.  This one is my mark in the sand. Do you think I'm right? Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

  8. Jun 24

    Episode 14: Ignoring Bad Reviews Is Not Good Advice

    Send us Fan Mail In today's internet landscape, just "Ignoring bad reviews" isn't a viable solution to engaging and building your community and brand online. So, what do we do? How do we wade through the trolls and criticism to create our online presence and be seen as the competent and compassionate audiobook professionals we are?  In this episode, I break down some steps we can take to protect our peace while noting that this is an ongoing conversation that needs more than just my voice talking about it.  So what do you think? How would you help navigate the judgemental voices while building your career?  Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

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5
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2 Ratings

About

Good Aural is a podcast about what makes an audiobook work. Hosted by award winning narrator Brenda Scott Wlazlo, this podcast breaks down what actually makes a performance land. We cover everything from character and chemistry to pacing, prep, and the moments that make listeners stay. For narrators, actors, audiobook fans, and anyone curious about the industry, these short episodes are honest, practical, and rooted in real experience.

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