There is always more to learn and we can always improve ourselves. If you are striving to push your career further forward, whether you are just starting out or a seasoned pro, I highly recommend reading the following books:
(I hope you will also consider checking out my book: Day-To-Day Happiness too)
VOICE-OVER VOICE ACTOR http://voiceovervoiceactor.com/
My favourite book on the subject and the one that overall I think is the best. Written by Yuri Lowenthal and Tara Platt, this book finds a perfect balance between telling you everything you need to know, being concise, being fun to read and being supportive and encouraging. The book features terrific advice, fantastic stories and excerpts from a great selection of industry experts. This book is hugely endorsed by many high-profile voice actors and for good reason, it is magnificent!
HOW TO SUCCEED IN VOICE-OVERS WITHOUT EVER LOSING http://www.jackangel.com/?page_id=1579
With over 50 years of experience in the business, Jack Angel certainly knows what it takes to succeed in voice-over. This book comes as recommended reading not just to those interested in voice-over but to everyone, as the book could easily be called “How to Succeed in Life Without Ever Losing”. Filled with tonnes of advice and many fascinating and entertaining stories, this book will be beneficial to all who read it. Jack’s autobiography, The Book of Jack is also a very good read as well.
THE ART OF VOICE ACTING http://www.voiceacting.com/Products/VO_Books/AOVA/aova.html
Some call this the bible of voice-over and it’s easy to see why. This mammoth book contains pretty much everything one could want to know about voice-over in the greatest of detail. James Alburger has compiled an encyclopedia of voice acting information, covering the craft and business. The book features many, many tips, stories and examples. My copy is the third edition and now the book is on its fifth edition, with over 500 pages. Wow!
YOU CAN BANK ON YOUR VOICE http://www.rodneysaulsberry.com/store.html
This easy to read and enjoyable book by Rodney Saulsberry features a great summary of what it takes to become successful in voice-over, in a supportive and engaging way. I also recommend from Rodney…
STEP UP TO THE MIC http://www.rodneysaulsberry.com/store.html
I highly advocate this short, clear and very uplifting book. Rodney talks about the difficulties of the business and how to stay positive. It features brilliant advice, fantastic exercises, excellent stories and everything you need to go forward in the face of adversity. As Rodney says, it is a book to read time and time again and why wouldn’t you? It’s outstanding!
VOICE FOR HIRE http://www.randythomasvo.com/voice-for-hire-book.php
Jointly written by Randy Thomas and Peter Rofé, this detailed book provides great advice about how to get into the voice acting profession and in particular gives good emphasis on coaching and wonderful advice on what to look for in a coach.
SECRETS OF VOICE-OVER SUCCESS http://www.sentientpublications.com/catalog/voiceover.php
This collection of extracts from voice-over professionals, assembled by Joan Baker – who also contributes – is very interesting and educational. And all royalties from the book go towards the Alzheimer’s Association.
THERE'S MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS http://www.voiceoneonline.com/store/books.html
This is an incredibly detailed book by Elaine Clark that will certainly help voice actors of all levels. Unfortunately I have only read the 2nd edition, which is somewhat dated now but there is a much more modern 3rd edition.
WORD OF MOUTH http://www.blupka.com/
Written by Susan Blu, Molly Ann Mullin and Cynthia Songé this is a very well crafted, educational and enjoyable book that is a fantastic addition to any voice actor's library.
10 THINGS ANY VOICE ACTOR WILL TELL YOU (IF THEY WERE ME...) http://www.erinfitzvo.com/erins-ebook
Written by the delightful Erin Fitzgerald, this eBook gives an honest look at what it takes to become a voice actor. Erin outlines whether voice acting is for you and then guides you through what you'll need to make it happen. It's short, sweet and to the point, with generous sprinklings of her quirky personality throughout. The audio book version also contains bonus interviews with a large number of very accomplished professionals in the VO industry.
VOICE ACTING FOR DUMMIES http://www.voiceactingfordummies.com/
Written by Stephanie and David Ciccarelli of Voices.com, this book gives a comprehensive look at the voice-over world. It covers the business and craft whilst also addressing the modern trend of online voice casting.
VOICE ACTOR'S GUIDE TO RECORDING AT HOME... AND ON THE ROAD http://www.harlanhogan.com/rec_reading.shtml
This fantastic book, written by Harlan Hogan and Jeffrey P. Fisher is very humorous and useful for the voice actor who needs some guidance about setting up a home studio to record in. In addition to that, the book also aids readers in other areas, such as with their websites and self-promotion. Harlan is also the author of VO: Tales and Techniques of a Voice Over Actor, which is also a great book, filled with many amusing stories and helpful hints.
SANFORD MEISNER ON ACTING
This is an entertaining, educational and enjoyable guide to acting, following a class of students taught by legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner. This book is stuffed with many golden nuggets of wisdom.
ERIC MORRIS http://ericmorris.com/book/
Acting teacher Eric Morris has written a thorough compilation of books that provides an excellent toolkit for actors. Eric has taught and influenced many successful actors over the years, so they are certainly worth reading, in particular No Acting Please and Irreverent Acting, which give a distinctive and informative approach to acting.
101 IMPROV GAMES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS http://www.hunterhouse.com/shopexd.asp?id=378
This fun and informative book by Bob Bedore will teach you the basics of improv, its history and provides readers with a plethora of entertaining games to play with friends and family that are all explained in great detail very clearly.
FEELING GOOD: THE NEW MOOD THERAPY http://feelinggood.com/books/
I personally feel this book should be read by everyone and is a book that really changed my life. Dr. David D. Burns writes a fascinating and enlightening book that teaches how you think is how you feel and that your mood is under your control, if you’re willing to work at it. If you are depressed, suffer from severe anxiety, have low self-esteem, know someone else who does or just feel like something isn't right, like something has slipped out of gear, then this really is essential reading.
22 IMMUTABLE LAWS OF BRANDING http://www.ries.com/books/
Voice-over is not just a craft but a business that one must also learn about. Arnold Schwarzenegger (whose autobiography is listed below) says that whatever you do in life, selling is a part of it. An important part of selling is branding, which is a captivating subject in its own right. Reading this book and learning about branding will not only change how you think about business but will change how you think about life.
NEGOTIATING FOR DUMMIES http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Negotiating-For-Dummies-2nd-Edition.productCd-0470045221.html
Negotiating is another important part of business and this highly appealing book will tell you everything you need to know about how to deal with people to find mutually beneficial solutions and agreements.
GETTING THINGS DONE https://gettingthingsdone.com/store/
A wonderful book about motivation and how to get your life orgnised. There is something in this book to help everyone and if you have a long list of things to do and/or find yourself procrastinating at all, get this book, read it and it will all get done.
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS! http://smallbusinesssuccess.com/books.asp
This little book is easy to read and talks about what it takes to have a successful business and find your branding. Very helpful indeed!
OVERCOMING DEPRESSION FOR DUMMIES http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Depression-For-Dummies.productCd-0764539000.html
OVERCOMING ANXIETY FOR DUMMIES http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Overcoming-Anxiety-For-Dummies-2nd-Edition.productCd-0470574410.html
BOOSTING SELF-ESTEEM FOR DUMMIES http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Boosting-Self-Esteem-For-Dummies-UK-Edition.productCd-0470741937.html
Depression, anxiety and low self-esteem are all very serious problems that at some point in our lives will probably affect us; very few people are immune from these terrible afflictions. They are highly misunderstood and awareness must be raised. If you read the earlier mentioned Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy and want to know more about each of these specifically, then these are great books.
MONEYBALL http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moneyball
Excellently written by Michael Lewis, this inside look at Billy Beane and the Oakland A’s is fascinating. The book isn’t merely about baseball or statistics or even about how to get a lot without much money but is an incredible story that also looks at passion, talent, worth, luck, how people think, how people are and how we size up things in the world. Thoroughly enjoyable, I can’t recommend it enough.
TOTAL RECALL http://www.schwarzenegger.com/totalrecall
Not the book version of the popular movies but the autobiography of Arnold Schwarzenegger. This is a highly entertaining story that reveals how a boy from a small town in Austria has gone on to live an impossibly amazing life. Whether you are interested in bodybuilding, movies, politics or none of the above, I hugely recommend reading this enthralling story of hard work, persistence and success. Regardless of your opinion of Arnie, you still have to admire his inspirational and motivating life.