Scott Brick and Johnny Heller — two of the most sought-after audiobook narration coaches in the nation, with over 1500 titles between them — team up once again to bring you the most comprehensive business seminar in the country, tailored directly to the needs of the audiobook industry! They and a dozen presenters—fellow narrators whose entrepreneurial approach has paved the way for others’ success, as well as representatives from several publishers and producers—will be on hand to answer your questions and up your game.
Based on the principle that the business side of our careers should be executed as artfully as the creative, this event is designed to meet you at your current skill level and propel you to the next rung on your career path, upping your game to meet the challenge of a changing industry. They have teamed up with numerous industry professionals, narrators and publishers alike, to help attendees become more entrepreneurial and better allies to the publishers we partner with!
Attendees will be chosen at random, via lottery, and will receive personal instruction from Scott, Johnny, and/or their fellow panelists throughout the day, structured to address each person’s most pressing business concern.
Panels Offered Include:
>> EMPOWERING THE ACTOR: MAXIMIZING AUTHOR OPPORTUNITIES
Jeffrey Kafer, Steven Jay Cohen
ACX masters Kafer and Cohen teach you how to unearth revenue share gold, while a union expert will be on hand to show you how to maximize your author relationships by qualifying them for inclusion in union P&H.
>>IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PREP: WORK FLOW, OUTSOURCING AND YOU
Paul Heitsch, Gina Smith
Workflow guru Heitsch guides you through a demonstration of Airtable - the app that works like a spreadsheet but gives you the power of a database - and shows you how to maximize this cloud collaboration service to streamline your workflow. In addition, Scott Brick’s Production Manager Smith instructs you in the fine art of navigating all the day to day business tasks from invoicing to website maintenance to sourcing vendors.
>>SIGN ON THE BOTTOM LINE: TAXES, INCORPORATION AND MORE
Robert Sciglimpaglia
The ultimate hyphenate: voiceover artist and tax attorney Sciglimpaglia guides you through the monetary weeds: should you incorporate, and if so, what type? All your legal questions answered!
>>MICRO PANEL: CROWD (RE)SOURCING – HOW GIVING BACK SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS (AND EVERYONE ELSE’S)
Scott Brick, Johnny Heller
Brick and Heller share with you a richly detailed list of free online resources, created exclusively for the narrator community, while showing you ways that you too can give back to your audiobook brethren.
>>PUBLISHERS ROUND TABLE: ASK AWAY!
Bryan Barney: Blackstone
Chrissy Farrell: Hachette
Caitlin Garing: Harper
Kelly Lytle: Findaway
Julie Wilson: Penguin Random House
Scott Jacobi: ACX
Jeff Tabnick: Recorded Books
Guy Oldfield: MacMillan
John McElroy: Eljin Productions
…and more to be announced! We’ll keep you updated as more participants sign up to join us!
>>MICRO PANEL: STATE OF THE INDUSTRY – ENGAGING IN HEALTHY DIALOGUE WITH YOUR PUBLISHERS
Christina Rooney via Skype
In an era when many publishers are encouraging the “whitewashing” of titles that are clearly meant to feature accents, how can you push back – gently – and ensure the author’s intent is best served? PRH Director/Producer Rooney shares the secrets to success.
>>AVAST YE, AHAB: NAVIGATING PRH’S CASTING WEBSITE
Julie Wilson
How can you make certain your casting profile is getting noticed? In addition, how can you be sure your samples are helping the people who are shopping for new talent pick YOU? Penguin Random House’s Wilson will be on hand to guide you through their online casting system, AHAB.
>>GETTING BUSY: ROMANCE AND EROTICA (PSEUDONYMS AND FANDOM) IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Luke Daniels, Andi Arndt
Some narrators have come out publicly as their pseudonym, while others crave anonymity for their alter ego. In either case, Daniels and Arndt guide you in creating profitable business opportunities, and juggling your various personas, all to create a richly detailed online presence for both.
>>MICRO PANEL: VOCAL HEALTH – DON’T SACRIFICE LONGTERM SUCCESS FOR SHORT TERM GAIN
Rachel Coleman
Vocal health is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Learn from NY-based vocal coach Coleman just how to ensure your voice – and your career – are still thriving decades from now.
>>LIKED AND FRIENDED: RAISING YOUR PROFILE (AND POSSIBLY GETTING A RAISE) THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
Scott Brick, Johnny Heller, Sean Allen Pratt
Your social media profile is one of the most powerful tools you have, and narrators Heller, Pratt and Brick will show you how to wield those powers to book you work, secure your position among listeners, and make you more money.
*All posted panelist participation is subject to professional commitment
