I'm

Lora Harper an audiobook narrator a voice actor a producer a musician, writer, and storyteller

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About Auria Audio

I'm Lora Harper
Audiobook narrator + producer

Collaborative | Creative | Coachable | Consistent

"Producing an audiobook can feel daunting. And hiring a narrator shouldn't be a high-stakes gamble. That's why I started Auria Audio."

An experienced author, editor, singer, musician, narrator, audio editor, and post-production sound engineer, Auria Audio's Lora Harper collaborates with you from every step of production until you hit "Upload"—and it's off to the distributor.

Here's what you can expect:

Studio-quality editing and post-production
Flexible and consistent narration and voice acting
Neutral American English accent
Clean voice quality
Emotional authenticity
Fiction and non-fiction audiobooks
Background in writing, editing, and music for effortless modulation, tone-appropriateness, and feeling and texture (the emotive quality of the story)
Collaborative and timely communication

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Reviews

I average three audiobooks a week and was pleased there weren't any distracting background noises like I've heard in some other audible audiobooks from Amazon. She is a fantastic voice actor and brought the action to life. Shadow Status reminds me of Tron and Ready Player One—futuristic and action-packed while bringing tenderness and inspiration.

Leigh Madrid

Audiobook listener

No, I'm serious. I listen to a TON of audiobooks. Some that I don’t even add to Goodreads. Your narration is outstanding and you can act too! I'm sincerely extremely impressed! Wow! — author of The Twelve Realms

Antigone Blackwell

Audiobook listener

Fun Facts

Mic

Rode NT1-A

Interface

M-Audio Mobile Pre

Software

Acoustica

Mastering

AKG K240 | RX 9

About Lora Harper Durance

née Srinivasan (she/her or they/them)

I was a voice chameleon from a young age. Raised in Florida, I would return home from family vacation in New Orleans sounding just like my cousins. My father is South Indian, my mother is Irish and French. I am a recovered evangelical Christian with an MFA in Fiction Writing and a minor in Philosophy. I'm a hopeless book romantic. Non-bookish passions include rock climbing, elearning, and steaming oatmilk lattes.
Instagram | Mastodon

How the process works

Overview of the plan

PHASE 1: Plan & price your audiobook

Step 1 - Introduce me to your book (Free)
Step 2 - Tell me about your characters (Free)
Step 3 - Record a sample / audition (Free)
Step 4 - Firm up the logistics, pricing & contract

PHASE 2: Record your audiobook

Step 1 - Finalize your voice cast list
Step 2 - Record your audiobook
Step 3 - Editing, proofing, pickups
Step 4 - Process for distribution

Details for each step

PHASE 1: Plan & price your audiobook

Step 1

Introduce me to your book (Free)

The best way for me to get to know your book in the way you want it heard, is to walk through my key starting-point questions. Is your book fiction, story-driven nonfiction, or technical nonfiction? Are there certain emotive qualities you want to hear expressed through the narration? What texture, speed, or energy do you feel best serves your genre in the audiobook? I'll provide an orientation-form via Google Docs & Folders to help guide you through answering these types of elements.

Step 2

Tell me about your characters (Free)

You'll be guided through outlining the voice-goals for your primary characters—up to 8 in this step. This helps determine if there are any "dealbreaker" obstacles in the desired voices, accents, languages, or otherwise—before either of us gets too far down the road. If all goes well through this process, we proceed to the fun, next step: samples!

Step 3

Recording a sample / audition (Free)

I'll record a sample narration of your choice from your book (~1000 words). If you like what you hear, then we can move to the next step! If it's close—but you'd like a retake, then we can try the audition again. There's no added cost to collaborating on fine-tuning to get the sample fitting your vision.

Step 4

Firm up the logistics, pricing & contract

Once we've confirmed the main voices and tone, we'll firm up your timeline and distribution goals; your preferences for check-in and collaboration aspects; and any add-on services. Add-ons will factor into the calculations of the cost per finished hour (PFH). Then we'll finalize the contract and arrange the deposit (25% of the anticipated total). We're ready to hit the studio!

PHASE 2: Record your audiobook

Step 5

Finalize your voice cast list

You'll send me a .mobi file or Word file of your book, which we'll use to list every character with their voice profiles, along with any other unique voice instructions (such as the pronunciation of made-up words, important place names, or other critical features). You can be as engaged or hands-off as you want in creating your voice cast list. And if you chose the "Include a Song" add-on, we'll start work on that piece as well.

Step 6

Record your audiobook

You sit back and relax—or work on your next book! I'll be in studio recording. If you purchased an add-on copy or continuity edit, I'll be making notes throughout this step so I can send you a comprehensive report.

Step 7

Editing, proofing, pickups

The bulk of my work happens here where I'll be editing, proofing, and recording pickups (retakes) of the audiobook narration. If you purchased a Copyedit or Continuity add-on, we'll use this step to error-proof the textual content of your book. If you purchased an "Include a Song" add-on, you'll receive three takes to choose from during this process. At the end of this step, you'll receive access to your audiobook's pre-compressed .wav files. I will have proofed them myself by this time, and you'll have the opportunity to proof them yourself and/or to approve them for final processing into the proper format(s) for distribution.

Step 8

Processing for distribution

If you purchased a Credits Background Music add-on, we'll work on that piece now. Then, once the audio is proofed and tidied and all add-ons are delivered, I'll cut and process the .wav files into final formats for upload to the distribution channels of your choice (.flac for Findaway Voices and .mp3 for ACX and Bookfunnel). Congratulations! You have a brand new audiobook!

Audiobook services

Create an audiobook

Standard package. Includes collaborative planning, character buildout, samples, standard turnaround (3 months), recording, editing, proofing, pickups, post-processing, and file creation to spec for distribution to Findaway Voices, ACX, or BookFunnel. PFH $250, discounts available. Click menu -> contact to send a message, text, or email to schedule a free consult.

Credits background music (add-on)

Want your book to sound extra-pro? With this add-on, we’ll collaboratively select a loop of background music to fade in under your opening and closing credits. It can act as a sound logo so listeners will recognize your titles by your opening credits. ($150)

Copyedit (add-on)

Ensure your book is free of pesky typos! There’s no better way to find textual errors that might have slipped through the cracks than while reading aloud. With experience as a freelance editor, Lora Harper will flag ‘n’ fix typos and send back a detailed report so your book is squeaky clean. ($0.006/word)

Expedite my audiobook

Our standard package includes a 3-month turnaround for your book (up to 80,000 words). If you’re on a deadline, we can complete your book sooner. Let us know what you need in your sample request! Click menu -> contact and send a message, text, or email so we can chat.

Continuity edit (add-on)

Lora will be on the lookout for any continuity errors that need your attention. For example: Did Jack leave through the basement only to end up on the roof? Was the notebook red on page 2 but gold on page 34? These are the types of errors Lora will spot 'n' report back to you. ($0.01/word)

Grant reviewers early access (add-on)

Get pre-launch reviews! Send review copies before your book goes live. Your 50 hand-picked listeners will receive early access to your audiobook on a secret, elegant, easy-to-use listening app. Give them plenty of time to write a review before the big day. ($150)

Include a song (add-on)

Does your book include song lyrics that should be sung by your narrator? We'll work together to put your lyrics to an acapella (voice-only) melody. You'll choose from three takes to include in your book. ($150 up to 4 measures; $300 for 5–8 measures; by negotiation for longer works)

Full music/SFX integration (add-on)

Transform your book into an immersive radio drama or graphic audiobook. With our partner engineer, Idyll Sounds, and a professional home-studio cast, we'll work with you to realize this dream. Price depends on project complexity and word count. Click menu -> contact and send a message, text, or email to schedule a free consultation!