Audio Book Narration
Professional Storytelling Experience
Narrating audiobooks is Shana’s passion and how she entered the voiceover industry. With more than 25 years of professional theatre experience, including international tours and on-camera work, Shana started narrating audiobooks in 2014 with Audible Creation Exchange. In 2017, Shana recorded more books with Findaway Voices and was added to the roster at Deyan Audio in Los Angeles. And in June of 2022, Shana narrated her own story of emergency heart issues that stranded her in Ireland. The title, Broken Wide Open was produced by Spoken Realms and picked up by Blackstone Audio.
Young Adult, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Genres
Shana’s favorite audiobook genres are sci-fi and fantasy. Other titles have included young adult romance and detective noir novels with young female protagonists. Shana may have been born in the 1970s, but she sounds… about 18 or 19, maybe 25.
Her first rule when working on a book is to communicate very clearly with the author / publisher. She spends time preparing full character samples, making changes as needed, and then – after everyone is on the same page, recording the book. Shana is meticulous with details, often creating character charts that will be used five or six books into the series. For characterization, less is more, however, listeners will never wonder who is talking.
Getting Out of the Way
The key to Shana’s audiobook narration is her philosophy that the narrator’s job is to “get out of the way.” The listener should choose the book, note the author, hear the voice and think “Oh! I like that voice” and then never think about the narrator again until they hear “This book has been narrated by…..” Shana makes this happen with great storytelling that is subtle and in keeping with the style of the author.
Repeat Business
Shana has worked repeatedly with the same authors, some coming back multiple years with new series. Depending on the needs of the author and length of the book, she can turn around books within 2-3 weeks or less.
PEOPLE ARE SAYING ...
“Everyone loved the promo! I’m sure we’ll be calling you in the future!”
“I am a fan of your performance on First Impressions: Last Intentions; book 1… Your performance of Claire in the first book provided me one of the most enjoyable listens I’ve ever had with an audiobook…thank you for bringing that awesome character to life!”
“I love the personality and enthusiasm in your work and rave about it here at the Seattle Channel. I’ve been working in broadcasting many years and your voice work is easily a favorite.”
Reviews
“I am a fan of your performance on First Impressions: Last Intentions; book 1…Your performance of Claire in the first book provided me one of the most enjoyable listens I’ve ever had with an audiobook…thank you for bringing that awesome character to life!”
“Shana Pennington-Baird as the narrator is wonderful. She brings so much life to each character. It is easy to tell her males from her females as she creates and gives life to all that is around them. Her voices have even tones with just the right about of emotion for each that you know what they are feeling and where their thoughts are. There is no background noise and no breaks that you can tell. Here tones are even as if she read the book all at one setting. I have listened to a few from this narrator and have enjoyed every book she has narrated.
“The narrator Shana Pennington-Baird…did a great job of narrating. Her different voices added a lot to the audio… Would I listen to more by this narrator you can bet the bank I would. She really does have a smooth voice that pulls you in and holds you there, at times with your heart in your throat.”