Tag Archives: Audiobook Narrator

Changelings, Golems and Dragons: Three Stories from Lightspeed Magazine

Posted on by

Changelings and fairy worlds, a wizard and her golem, a dragon and a cast-off princess, and portals to other worlds… 🔮

This month I had the absolute honor and joy of narrating three incredible stories for the October 2026 issue of Lightspeed Magazine. ✨

🧚 Uncanny Jack by Susan Palwick is such a poignant tale that I had to stop recording numerous times to pull myself together.  Its title comes in part from the old changeling belief in British, Irish and Scandinavian folklore: fairies were believed to steal human babies from their cradles and leave one of their own in their place.  In this story they steal adults too.  Lucy takes on this belief because it’s easier to bear than the dementia that has claimed her once brilliant engineer husband, Jack.  So she breaks him out to trade him back and is transported to a fairy world, where she finds her real Jack.  Then, echoing Orpheus and Eurydice, Jack tells her he’ll follow her back to their world as long as she doesn’t look back…

🐉 All the Shapes We Have Ever Been by Kehkashan Khalid centers on a Dev, a shapeshifting spirit chained for years as a serpent to guard a tower where orphaned girls are left as prizes for princes.  This is not a tale about Rapunzel by any means.  One cast-off princess grows up loving the Dev and begins to plan how to set them both free, a journey that takes her to another world and returns her forever changed by fire.

🪄 Until the Cure by Marissa Lingen introduces us to Mehi, a wizard desperately trying to cure the heterokontic plague that has taken hold of her mother.  Until she finds a cure, she builds a golem to give her mother the patience and care she feels she can’t, and the golem slowly becomes someone in its own right.  This story shines a light on caregiving, guilt and needing to do something that actually helps.

At their heart, each of these stories is about love that has to change shape in order to survive, and each holds the power to transform whoever comes across them.  Open that portal door and head on over to Issue 197, where these stories are waiting for you to read, or to listen on the Lightspeed Magazine podcast. 🌀

Heartfelt thanks to Lightspeed Magazine and Skyboat Media for sending these beautiful stories my way. 💜

An October Treat: Featured in Voices to Know!

Posted on by

What a sweet October treat! 🧡

So thrilled to be featured in the Voices to Know October 2026 newsletter, alongside such wonderful company.

And what a joy it is to see our Writers of the Future, Volume 42 audiobook and cast included for the lovely review we received from Library Journal! Btw, if you haven’t listened yet 😉 it’s available wherever you get your audiobooks. 📚🎧

Such exciting news to learn that Voices to Know has expanded their coverage to Library Journal, The Guardian, and Booklist, alongside Kirkus audiobook reviews. This couldn’t be sweeter for our audiobook community, as it means more voices and stories will get heard, highlighted, and recognized.

Getting to share this passion for storytelling with this beautiful cast and community is a real gift and one I’m so grateful for.

Thank you Voices to Know for celebrating human voices and shining a light on the work we get to do.

Congratulations to all!

You can read the full Voices to Know newsletter here.

Happy October! 🧡

High Praise from Library Journal for Writers of the Future, Vol. 42

Posted on by

So happy to share that L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. 42 just received a lovely review from Library Journal! This delightful news means all the more — not just because of the dragons (though… the dragons! 😉) — but because of the generosity, kindness and talent of everyone who came together to make Volume 42 so special.

Here’s what they had to say:

“A cast of nine narrators vividly brings this collection of 15 short stories to life, offering an auditory treat for fans of science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction. Joseph Sidari’s ‘A Girl and Her Dragon,’ narrated by Susan Hanfield, is divided into four parts, while the remaining stories are designed to be heard in one sitting, including Orson Scott Card’s ‘Skinny-Shins,’ read by a baritone-voiced Stefan Rudnicki, which interrogates the tropes of fantasy art. S. J. Stevenson’s intriguing take on time-travel, ‘The Triceratops Effect,’ narrated with gravitas by the decorated John Lee, is told from a supervisor’s point of view on the night before the Cretaceous Period’s end. ‘Thickly’ by Dorothy de Kok, expressively narrated by Janina Edwards, makes a compelling case against idealized portraits of femininity, while Mike Strickland’s ‘As Long As You Both Shall Live,’ read by the ever-engaging Kirby Heyborne, plays up love in the virtual realm. Listeners will find everything from a most unusual noir mystery to a story of AI gone wrong to a tale about neighborhood-watch participants.”

VERDICT: “An impressive sci-fi/fantasy collection that offers aspiring writers and enthusiastic fans of these genres a meaningful journey through the works of the Writers of the Future contest winners, with accompanying illustrations available via PDF.”
— Reviewed by Sharon Sherman, Library Journal, Sept 2026

Thank you, Library Journal, for this lovely review! Congratulations to Galaxy Press, Skyboat Media, our talented writers, and our incredible cast — thrilled to be among you!

Available now wherever you get your audiobooks. 🎧📚

 

Slide 2 Alt Text: A graphic styled like a vintage library card showing headshots of the full narrator cast and the Library Journal verdict review quote.

When Two Valentines Meet: My First Worldcon with Skyboat Media

Posted on by

Worldcon —have you ever been? Well, I can now say I have! This was my first time, and wow, what an entrance. Not only did I get to spend the weekend with some of my favorite people — Gabrielle de Cuir, Stefan Rudnicki, and Alison Belle Bews of Skyboat Media — they also invited me to perform with them in Stefan’s spoken word program, Mightier Than The Sword. More on that in a sec!

The whole weekend was a blast. So many great conversations with authors, audiobook listeners, and passionate readers. Costumes everywhere, books taking the mainstage, written and audio, and so much love for storytelling. The vibe was electric.

Now, back to the show 😉 Mightier Than The Sword, led by AudioFile Golden Voice Stefan Rudnicki, is a journey through the power of the written word — from Shakespeare to Bova. Being part of it was special on two counts: it was the first time Gabrielle, Stefan, and I had ever performed together live, in front of an audience — and I got to revisit my role of Valentine from Orson Scott Card’s multi-Audie-nominated Ender’s Game Alive: The Full Cast Audioplay. Here’s the magic: Gabrielle originated Valentine and Stefan originated Ender in the original audiobook of Card’s novel, so as the audiobook and audioplay merged, our two Valentines met — with Stefan crossing between them as Colonel Graff and Ender. What an incredible joy to be part of. 🎭

And next year? Worldcon 2027 heads to Montreal — O Canada, how fantastic! 🇨🇦

Last thing — if you’re an author looking to turn your book into an audiobook, definitely head over to Skyboat Media and check them out. You can find them at skyboatmedia.com.

New Year, New Stories: January Releases 🎧✨

Posted on by

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, and I’ve missed connecting with all of you.  I’ve been focusing on the work – narrating, auditioning, and honing my craft — and it’s been a full and rewarding time.  But I do think it’s important to share the stories that touch our lives, so here I am!

January brought four new releases, and I’m excited to tell you about them.

🦉 Owl Diaries

I’m so delighted to be a part of the Owl Diaries series by Rebecca Elliott, published by Scholastic Audio.  “This adorable New York Times bestselling series is now available in audio format —perfect for young readers who love friendship stories with animal characters.”  The first two books released in January, with more to come throughout the year.  What a hoot it’s been bringing these sweet characters to life!  Available wherever you get your audiobooks.  🦉💕🦉💕

Racial Justice for the Long Haul

Racial Justice for the Long Haul by Christine Jeske, published by Christian Audio, is a thoughtful exploration of bridge-building and meaningful change through honest conversations across communities. I’m honored to have narrated this one — it’s full of grace, challenge and hope.  Now available wherever you get your audiobooks.

🎸 Mother’s Hip

This month on Lightspeed Magazine:  Mother’s Hip by Corey Jae White and Maddison Stoff — a haunting sci-fi story about a war pilot merged with a mothership, the drone children she’s conditioned to love, and what happens when that conditioning is violently stripped away.  Years later, she’s a veteran musician playing dive bars, trying to process her trauma through song.  Navigating these two different states of being – armored warrior and broken survivor — was a beautiful challenge. This one really moved me.  🌌 Link to listen to or read the story is here.

🌙 Jennifer’s Daughter

Dropping this week on Nightmare Magazine is Jennifer’s Daughter by Sara S. Messenger.  Fourteen year old Lane is homeschooled, isolated, and living with a mother who has dangerous secrets.  When Lane secretly befriends River, a lonely boy whose father has his own monstrous truths, their fragile connection becomes the only normal thing in their lives — until the night their parents discover each other.  The tender friendship between these two kids, both drowning in secrets but desperate to feel normal, broke my heart.  Raw and deeply affecting.  🖤 Link to listen to or read the story is here.

Coming in February:  Book 4 in Jody Hedlund’s beloved Matchmaker series — more on that soon!

Thanks for being here. It feels good to be back.  💜

 

 

 

The Faerie King Goes Lightspeed! 🧚👑

Posted on by

Dropping this week on Lightspeed Magazine is a new story podcast that I had so much fun narrating – When The Faerie King Toured the Human Realm by Vanessa Fogg.

Question:  Have you ever been transfixed by someone in the public eye? 📸
You don’t know why, but you follow their every move. What they’re wearing. Where they’ve been spotted. You need to know what happens next..

Now imagine that someone is a Faerie King. 🧚👑

He’s beautiful. He’s captivating.  He’s come to earth in search of his long-lost queen. 💗  And the internet is following his every step.

Told through fandom posts and one woman’s personal obsession, this story blurs the line between myth, memory, and what it means to belong. 🧚

I absolutely loved narrating this beautifully unique, modern take on a fairytale. Big thanks to Skyboat Media for sending this wonderful story my way! 💜

To listen to or read When the Faerie King Toured the Human Realm, head on over to Lightspeed Magazine.com or click the link here. 🧚

 

What’s your favorite way to unwind in Nature?🌿🦋

Posted on by

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Whether it’s forest bathing, trail blazing, or ocean gazing – nature has a way of holding us, gently. 🌿💙

Take a moment today to step outside, feel the sun, hear the wind, notice the beauty. ☀️🌷

Let it remind you: you are not alone. You are part of something vast, wild, and deeply healing.

✨What’s your favorite way to unwind in nature?

Matchmaker Magic: Love Returns in Book 2!

Posted on by

saved-by-the-matchmaker-WPfeature-300x224_aLooking for your perfect match? 💘 Happy Release Day to Saved by the Matchmaker, the latest in A Shanahan Match series, written by bestselling author Jody Hedlund! I loved every minute of narrating Book 2.

In Saved by The Matchmaker, we catch up with Finola’s younger sister, Enya. Enya’s troubled marriage with Bryan Haynes has ended, leaving her heart shattered, her body pregnant, and her future uncertain.

But don’t worry—our favorite never-by-the-books Matchmaker, Bellamy McKenna, is back and ready to work his magic. This time, he’s setting his sights on steamboat captain Sullivan O’Brien, who’s under pressure from his father to marry or give up his life on the water.

Sullivan is gruff, scarred from a heroic rescue, and the last thing he wants is to get married. His one condition for Bellamy? Find him a bride who’s unattractive, quiet, and indifferent to appearances. But Enya is anything but that—she’s beautiful, outspoken, and a self-proclaimed spitfire. 🔥

It seems like an impossible match, but that’s what Matchmakers are for, right? Bellamy suspects that what Enya really needs is someone who will treasure her for who she is, and he has a feeling Sullivan might just be the man for the job…

Congratulations to Jody Hedlund on your stirring new release, and thank you to Tantor Media for bringing this heartwarming gem my way! 💖

Saved by the Matchmaker is now available, and I couldn’t be more delighted to see that this beautiful new book is listed as the #1 New Release in Christian Historical Romance on Audible – so go get it! 💘 

Love & Laughter in La La Land at Audies 2024!

Posted on by

xr:d:DAGARXgj0Vw:9,j:8430035112394833807,t:24032221

My heart is still so full from celebrating the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 (The Oscars of Audiobooks) earlier this month in Los Angeles! 💗

Here’s a quick peek into the many dear friends and colleagues who made this evening so incredibly special.  What a joy it was to be gathered together again.  I think I must have had a permanent smile on my face the entire night. 🤩

Avalon Hollywood did a great job of hosting our event and big thanks to the Audio Publisher Association for putting together such an amazing and really fun night.  

Congratulations to the 2024 Audie Awards winners and nominees, and to everyone in our audiobook community!  💫  

Healing Doesn’t Have to Be Linear – Sober Spirituality Releases on Audio!

Posted on by

FinalThis week a really beautiful book released into the world, that I’m so happy to celebrate – Sober Spirituality  by Erin Jean Warde.  I had the honor and joy of narrating this audiobook for Christianaudio, and what I found to be especially moving about Sober Spirituality, is Warde’s transparency as she candidly shares the journey that she took, as an Episcopal priest, to stop drinking.

Through personal stories, and supporting scriptural text, Warde illustrates that healing doesn’t have to be linear.  That on our road to recovery, there isn’t just one way, or the highway.  Our recovery is usually a series of “another day one…” and in Warde’s case, her road to sobriety involved many day ones that consisted of –  stop drinking, then start drinking again, then stop, then start again, stop … etc.  But within each of these moments lies the sweet spot – that recovery isn’t final – its fluid.  It’s constantly changing, flowing and moving.

Our healing (whether it be in our relationship with alcohol, our low self-esteem, or another area where we might need healing in) doesn’t have to follow a straight line.  What worked for some –  or many –  may not work for you and I – and that’s OK.  Recovery and healing isn’t usually neat and tidy.  More often than not, it’s downright messy, it’s spit and dirt (see John 9) and involves one step forward,  many steps back, then another step forward – until suddenly – we are at a new place.  We look around in amazement and see just how far we’ve come.  And in this new place, we can celebrate the joy that can be found in that moment, wherever that may be, knowing that our journey is ever-evolving, ever unfolding and always fluid.   And within that fluidity there is healing, and beauty and hope.  And hope does not disappoint.

Sober Spirituality is now available in print and on audio at Audible and Amazon.com.