Take voice lessons to practice making the subtle changes in pitch and tone. All audio book orators can switch comfortably between different volumes and pitches. Study the ways other audio book orators convey suspense, drama or exposition in compelling ways.
Book an appointment at a professional recording studio. Also, find a producer who has experience in handling the unique challenges of audio books. Collaborate with the producer to find ways to maximize your time in the studio by avoiding waste in costly studio time and creating the best sample of your talents. Also consider consulting with the producer on choosing the best material for a demo.
Make an unprofessional sample with your producer on a cheap video recorder. You can work on any weaknesses that your producer recognizes in your work, which you can address before walking into the studio. You can also gauge how well you will be able to work with the producer.
Record yourself in a professional studio reading a classic work like Huckleberry Finn or Gilead. Since these works feature distinctive omniscient narrators and regional accents, reading them aloud is good practice in creating distinct character voices. You should be as familiar with the work before recording as possible.
Contact audio book producers like BBC Audiobooks America or Simon and Schuster Audio. Most audio book producers mine talent from film and theater, but also are looking for up-and-coming vocalists.
Send a resume if an audio book producer is interested. Your resume should include a list of your educational background, a recording of you reading and your performance history. The recording is the most important part and should have optimal recording quality. Your performance history can be short, and you should exercise discretion in which productions you list. For instance, small town theatrical productions might be left off your resume.
Remain professional and flexible once you've acquired your first audio book job. Remember that you should keep accents and diction consistent throughout a recording. Practice good vocal training habits like avoiding stress to the throat.