Biggest Audiobook Narration Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

jgoeh1
Sep 25
2 min read

Narrating an audiobook sounds easy.... until you hit record.

Suddenly your voice feels weird, your mouth is making new noises, and that one sentence keeps tripping you up like it's cursed.

Whether you're an author narrating your own book or just stepping into voice work, here are the most common mistakes people make, and how to dodge them.

1. Reading Instead of Performing

Audiobooks aren't lectures. They’re performances.

The biggest rookie mistake? Just reading the text. A flat, monotone delivery puts listeners to sleep faster than melatonin.

Fix it: Think of yourself as a storyteller, not a narrator. Mark your script, highlight emotional beats, and read with intention... not just accuracy.

2. Poor Mic Technique

Too close and you get pops. Too far and you sound like you’re in another room. Mic positioning matters more than people think.

Fix it: Stay 4–6 inches from the mic, slightly off center to reduce plosives. Use a pop filter, and be consistent.

Don’t drift around like you're narrating from a yoga ball.

3. No Room Treatment

If your room is untreated, your recording will sound echoey, boxy, or just plain amateur.

Even the best mic can’t fix a bad space.

Fix it: Record in a small, quiet space with soft surfaces. Closet? Blanket fort? Yes, seriously. Foam panels or heavy curtains also help big time.

4. Overediting Every Breath and Mouth Noise

Trying to erase every little imperfection makes the audio sound robotic, or introduces clicks and cuts.

Plus, it takes forever.

Fix it: Aim for natural, not flawless. Listeners expect to hear you breathe. Just remove the obvious distractions (lip smacks, loud inhales), and leave the human moments in.

5. Rushing the Pacing

When nerves kick in, people tend to speed-read. That kills the emotional rhythm and makes complex ideas hard to follow. In fact, I hardly ever hear a narrator go too slow. The common mistake is nearly always going too fast.

Fix it: Slow. It. Down. Use pauses for impact, especially after big ideas or dialogue. Silence is your friend. Don’t be afraid to let a sentence land.