Vikas Adam
As a voice actor, Vikas Adam has lent his voice to audiobooks, journalism, dubbing, and animation. He has received critical acclaim for his work on titles such as “The Goodbye Coast: A Phillip Marlowe Novel” by Joe Ide, “Lavender House” and its followups by Lev Rosen, “Murder in Old Bombay” by Nev March and “Stranger” by Ben H. Winters.
DOSSIER: Regarding your process for delivering exceptional quality in your audiobook narration, how many times do you read through the book and how much book/author research do you do before you hit that record button?
ADAM: I’m at the point in my journey that I read through it once. I’m aware of what I’m looking for story structure and character wise. What I really pay attention to is the writing style, pov, and how the author has infused their special magic to make this book their own.
Distinct voices
DOSSIER: Although you skillfully craft your narration around your interpretation of each book character, do you have a particular style you save for certain kinds of books or specific authors you work with on a regular basis?
ADAM: No I can’t say I ‘save’ anything for anyone. I’m very particular about treating each piece individually (including series where style has been established). In some pieces the writing dictates that character voices be very minimal while others are lifted when it allows for more distinct voices.
Writers, look no further
DOSSIER: Can authors request that you narrate their book? How would that work?
ADAM: Absolutely yes they can. Whoever is working out communications with the audio department of your publishing house can request that you would love for [insert narrator cough any of us being interviewed for The Dossier cough] to be cast or to audition for this piece (if the producer deems it). If you do audition narrators, always keep in mind that you are not going to hear exactly what you heard in your head. When you listen to auditions, it’s vital to be open and to listen to each audition at least two times at separate times. The first time you will have a visceral reaction just because someone else
is reading your words out loud. The second time you’ll settle in; you’ll be more aware of the nuances and the choices the actor made (cuz, narrating is acting). While it’s nice to hear the right “sound”, pay attention to how the narrator is telling your story. Are they communicating your words effectively so the story is accessible?
And do not allow something nitpicky to turn someone down. Ask yourself: is this adjustable with a simple note? Remember we only receive a few pages with no context. We can always make changes when we receive the full manuscript and notes from you.
Riddle me this …
DOSSIER: What’s the biggest mistake you made in recording an audiobook and how did that work out with the author, producer, and/or audience?
ADAM: I’m going to shy away from the word mistake and reframe it as a ‘human touch’. Perfection is lovely to seek. But if we achieve it…is it actually perfect? What is perfection? Does perfection equate with excellence? We will never find perfect. So why bother looking at a “mistake” and drawing focus to that?
As a human artist, I am always seeking growth and development in my craft so I can be MY personal best. Not like Scott or Hillary…me. The aforementioned “human touch” is something that I am aware of but the listener may not be. So why allow my human insecurities to affect their individual listening experience?
A vocal athlete
DOSSIER: When are you at your best in the booth? Morning, afternoon, or night? Do you have a particular routine, requirement, or practice that helps you operate at the top of your game?
ADAM: It varies. It depends on the day, lol. I do have a ritual of sinus irrigating, steaming my vocal folds, vocal warmups etc. As my amazing specialist Doctor Reena Gupta has made me realize—we are vocal athletes, so the care and time and investment I make is vital for me to be at the top of my game.
Elevating words
DOSSIER: Bonus question: What’s the biggest message writers (or listeners) need to hear from audiobook narrators about the whole audiobook process that would help you produce the best possible rendition?
ADAM: We are not just reading a book. We are creating characters, taking your brilliant words off the page and elevating them to another level. And that includes the narrative portions especially…we are invested in the narration…the narrator (even third person) is essentially a character with a point of view.
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