Dion Graham is an Odyssey Award–winning narrator, an audiobook director and publisher, and a stage and screen actor who has also lent his voice to several video games. He talks with LJ about getting started as an audiobook narrator, finding a voice and style, and the challenges that he has faced during his narrating career.

Let’s start at the beginning. How did you first get started as an audiobook narrator?

Ah, origin stories! Well, I was doing the world premiere of a lost (then found by Vanessa Redgrave) Tennessee Williams play at London’s Royal National Theatre. I met a friend of a friend who narrated audiobooks both in London and in New York, where he splits his time. I said, “That sounds like fun. Maybe you could make an introduction when I get back to NYC.” He did, the ball got rolling, and the rest is delightful history. I had no idea that I would fall in love with this aspect of my work or that folks would appreciate what I had to offer. I’m still amazed, humbled, tickled, and grateful.

What do you wish librarians knew about the process of audiobook narration?

Ha. I’m loathe to presume that librarians need me to tell them anything. The library was huge for me as a kid (shout out to Northern Hills library in Cincinnati). A sacred place. Portal to everywhere, anywhere, inner and outer space. I’m so grateful to librarians everywhere. I feel like they know that stories can unfold in so many different ways. And so it is with audiobook narration. There’s infinite fun and trouble to get up to as stories unfold themselves. I relish that. I try to find myself in response to the material and how it’s playing on my imagination. I tell the story like I hear it. And there are many ways to do that. I think librarians might know the truth of that as well as anyone.

Can you describe the process of finding a voice and style for your audiobook narration?

What helps you achieve an emotional connection to a book and the characters? Any book that I’m narrating, I approach as a reader first. And I love to read, so…for me, style and voice (and tone) reveal themselves if you’re listening closely while reading. Sometimes they reveal themselves even more clearly in the telling of the story. I take in and then aim to be open to my own creative response in sharing the story. The book and characters are already taking me somewhere if I’m understanding and involved in what’s being spun. However it’s playing on me, on my understanding, that’s the rail the storytelling rides on. Emotional connection depends on being able to identify with characters and situations, ideas and imagination. So, empathy.

Can you detail what you do to prepare for a recording session?

I try to keep it simple. Eat enough but not too much. Save mucous-causing dairy and spice for after recording. A few gentle vocal and physical exercises to make sure I’m released and ready to go anywhere. I like to bring some hot water or ginger or Throat Coat tea in the booth with me. All this to keep myself loose and open as I dive in.

What are the biggest challenges that you have experienced when recording audiobook narration?

This doesn’t happen too much anymore, but, in the early days, sometimes a director might be fearful that we were going too far in vividly reflecting what the author wrote. As an artist, in all the different ways, I know that I have to do what makes sense for me. I can’t check other people’s boxes or color in the lines. Instead, I respond to the book and channel what feels right. There really aren’t limits, you just need to be in tune with the material and vibe with it. Besides that, I do always try to keep minds open to possibilities in casting as wide as my palette and interests are—regardless of what I look like. Bring ’em on!

What do you love most about narrating audiobooks?

I find most writers are trying to tell us something about how we’re living, about us, about being alive. And often, I find they’re trying to tell us something about our humanity or lack thereof. I love running off the cliff telling these tales. I love hearing how the story came alive for someone through listening. Whether their heart soared or broke, whether they were infuriated or tickled—as long as they’re moved, I think I’m winning.

Do you listen to audiobooks yourself? Do you have any titles that you’d like to recommend?

I don’t get to listen as often as I’d like, but I do listen from time to time. It’s hard to keep up, but I like to listen at least once to my own little "one-man shows" just to see how they turned out. Years ago, I listened to Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin, which I thought was great. This was a long time before we met and he later asked me to narrate Dancer, This Side of Brightness, and Songdogs. They’re wonderful, too. Recently, I’ve loved The Scent of Burnt Flowers, His Name Is George Floyd, Harlem Shuffle… So many good ones, so little time! Lots to look forward to.

CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this interview misstated the title of Colum McCann’s novel This Side of Brightness. LJ regrets the error.