Recorded live at the 2024 Texas Book Festival in Austin, this episode features authors Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (The Undocumented Americans, Catalina) and Amanda Montell (Cultish, The Age of Magical Overthinking). The authors discuss narrating their own audiobooks, touching on everything from incorporating humor and emotion to the challenges of audiobook production. They also offer advice for first-time narrators, discuss the nuances of audiobooks compared to print, and reflect on how their distinct styles shape the listening experience.
Listen to the full episode
I think some sentences, you only really understand…what I meant by them by hearing me say them. I think that [audiobooks] provide a different experience for the reader, so they’re just definitely going to get new interpretations out of that experience.”
—Karla Cornejo Villavicencio on the Libro.fm Podcast
Use the promo code SWITCH when signing up for a new Libro.fm membership to get two additional credits to use on any audiobooks—meaning you’ll have three from the start.
About our guests
Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is the acclaimed author of The Undocumented Americans, a National Book Award finalist, and her latest novel, Catalina. Known for her deeply personal and powerful storytelling, Karla brings a unique voice to every project she undertakes, whether in print or audio. Her audiobook narrations showcase her ability to balance raw emotion with humor, providing listeners with an intimate connection to her work.
Amanda Montell is a linguist and author of Wordslut, Cultish, and The Age of Magical Overthinking. Her work combines sharp sociolinguistic insight with wit and humor, earning her a devoted readership. Amanda’s podcasting background, including Sounds Like a Cult, influences her engaging audiobook narrations, which capture her conversational tone and knack for delivering jokes with perfect timing.
Audiobooks discussed on today’s episode
Catalina
By Karla Cornejo Villavicencio • Narrated by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
The Undocumented Americans
By Karla Cornejo Villavicencio • Narrated by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Cultish
By Amanda Montell • Narrated by Ann Marie Gideon
Wordslut
By Amanda Montell • Narrated by Amanda Montell
The Age of Magical Overthinking
By Amanda Montell • Narrated by Amanda Montell
