Q&A with Narrator Michelle H Lee
I will continue to say this because I believe it is so incredibly valid: Voices matter. And when an author or producer is casting an audiobook, it often goes beyond choosing a popular voice. Sometimes it’s about finding a great match to a character based on the specific character’s identity.
When her Painted Daisies novel Sweet Memory was scheduled for audiobook recording, LJ Evans reached out to Podium Audio, requesting a narrator whose cultural background and ethnicity matched her character’s. Podium reached out to Michelle H Lee, a Korean-American voice actor from Maryland. Best decision ever!
I believe LJ’s intentional decision to ask for an ownvoices narrator is so incredibly relevant and impactful and Michelle did such an incredible job bringing Paisley to life. And yes, the layers of intrinsic value cannot be lauded enough. Paisley’s words in Michelle’s voice made an impact, and it is evident throughout the entire story.
I couldn’t wait to meet Michelle at Charm City Romanticon last year. My fangirl heart was so happy she’d accepted our invitation, and I dove into her audible library and started reading more about her on her website. The audible gasp I made when I realized that not only had she done voice work for romance novels, but for multiple anime series was honestly pretty epic. I got so excited about recognizing several of the series, because my spawns watch them! So we got to fangirl together over Michelle and enjoy the dynamic overlap of our lives thanks to one wonderful voice.
Meeting Michelle at CCR was a fantastic experience. She is so kind and so freaking genuine. And when she agreed to come back for 2025, I absolutely did a happy fangirl dance. With the addition of a dedicated narrator panel and audiobook workshop as part of the event, I am even more excited to learn more about her. And this Q&A definitely made me smile and brought some new insight for me. Michelle has been so generous with her time as well, and I cannot even express how much I appreciate her and her involvement in the event and the industry.
How did you get started narrating?
Prior to 2020, I had exclusively been going into the studio to record for anime voiceover. But after I got a home studio setup I started looking at what else I could also do from home. I’ve always loved reading and audiobooks, so I took a couple of coaching classes to get started and fell in love with it!
Where do you recommend a new listener start in your backlist?
Hmmm, it depends. If you’re looking for romance, I usually narrate under my pseudonym, Emery Erickson. If you like dark romance, then Toxic Love by Jagger Cole would be a good place to start. If you like Romantasy then Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee is great, I recorded that one under my name.
Do you have a favorite/most memorable scene/ part in a novel you've narrated?
Chapter 42 in A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur. Even though it wasn’t my chapter to narrate (it was my co-narrator’s chapter) when I got to that chapter in prep I gasped out loud.
Is there a part of your career as a narrator you thought was going to be difficult but has wound up being really wonderful?
I am so incredibly self conscious. I hate calling attention to myself, and as much as I love performing behind the mic, it absolutely terrifies me to have people listen to my work cause I’m always so scared they’ll hate it. But in general, most people have been really nice and it’s been a great lesson in resilience. I’ve learned to take criticism a lot better.
Are there specific themes, tropes, or subgenres you’re more drawn to as a narrator, reader, or listener?
I love romantic comedies. I love if a book can make me laugh! For tropes, I like enemies to lovers, morally grey characters, touch her and die, and single bed. As a narrator/actor, the more unhinged a character is, the more fun they are for me to play.
What is your favorite part about being a narrator?
Connecting with a text and bringing the author’s vision to life is my favorite part.
What do you like to read/listen to? Any favorite authors/narrators you want to send a shout-out to?
I’m currently obsessed with Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. The audiobooks are amazing, and Jeff Hays is legendary! My favorite narrators to listen to are Marin Ireland and Saskia Maarleveld. Since last CCR, I’ve checked out a few of the authors I met in person and really loved Kathryn Nolan, Jackie Walker, and of course, LJ Evans!
Is there someone(s) who’s been influential in your life as it relates to your career?
So many people. Too many to list here. But, at the top would be my Acting for Audio cohort. I took a class taught by Joel Froomkin and everyone in my cohort has stayed in touch and been such an incredible support system.
How have your life experiences influenced your career as a narrator?
Since I came into narration with a background in anime voiceover, I’m great with dialogue and character work. As a mom, I’ve really mastered the art of multitasking. Sometimes.
This or That: 7 random questions that may or may not be book related:
Kindle or Paperback- Kindle!
Beach or Mountain Vacation- Neither. I’d rather go to the city or an amusement park
Dogs or Cats- Neither. We have a hamster
Ice Cream or Cake- I’d rather have french fries
Action Flick or Rom-Com- Rom-Com!
Tea or Coffee- Tea
Road Trip or Air Travel- Air Travel! I hate driving anywhere over 3 hours away.
Connect with Michelle H Lee:
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