Q&A with Narrator Rob Brinkmann AKA Robert Hatchet
It’s no secret I am an unabashed fangirl for all things romance. But when it comes to audiobooks, I definitely fangirl hard. I absolutely have favorite narrators, and favorite books they’ve narrated. And there is absolutely zero question that Rob Brinkmann aka Robert Hatchet is one of my absolute faves. And to be honest, he was a favorite before I even listened to one of his narrations.
I know, I’m weird. But hear me out. I first met Rob at Indies Invade Philly. It was the first year I had really been listening to audiobooks and I was super excited to meet the narrators now that I actually knew who they were. Julie Collier and I got in line and made our way past each table, chatting with each narrator, and Rob was a new name and face for us. But the warmth and excitement surrounding him was undeniable and quite honestly so incredibly contagious. His smile instantly set us at ease, and he genuinely seemed just as excited to be there as we were. We had a chance to chat for several minutes and can I just tell y’all, not only is Rob easy to chat with and hilarious, he is one of the best huggers ever! And if you know me, you know that’s a high honor in my world.
Knowing we had this little project going on for CCR2023 that required a narrator’s assistance, we reached out to Rob to enlist his help. It was a huge ask for us, and honestly, we never in a million years thought he would say yes. And when he did, we all did a major happy dance! As part of our Inaugural CCR, Rob read us all a (prerecorded) bedtime story at the PJ Party. It was the prologue to Snow Write, the debut novel of one of our event organizers (Caera Everly, aka Rhon House) and it was truly epic. You can listen to it here: https://www.brayzensblog.com/snowwrite
Well, Rob was already part of our CCR family at that point, and we couldn’t wait to invite him to CCR2024 (our first year with narrators). But, as it turned out, he was already committed to RARE Paris, and dude, nobody turns down that invite. But he’s heading to CCR2025 this April and I cannot wait to see him and get another Rob hug!
If you’re not familiar with Rob’s work, I highly encourage you to listen to everything you can. He’s so incredibly versatile, he truly brings every character he narrates to life. And his IG is honestly one of my favorites. I appreciate how he brings listeners into the booth, and into his life. And if you haven’t watched his Daddy reel, you absolutely have to.
And for more info on his narrating life, his Q&A is a great place to start.
How did you get started narrating?
I went to college for musical theater, and after graduating, a close friend suggested narrating audiobooks instead of working the many jobs I was while in between gigs. I began slow with a few books here and there until the pandemic hit, and the theater I was working at shut down. That’s when I decided to go full throttle into narrating, and haven’t looked back since!
Where do you recommend a new listener start in your backlist?
Oh man, so many options! I think a nice place to start would be Kacey Shea’s Wilder Valley series. It’s a small town series with so much heart, as each of the books follows a different brother coming back to their family ranch in their own way. Her characters are so grounded and fleshed out, and her cast of female narrators are all absolute ACES!
Do you have a favorite/most memorable scene/ part in a novel you've narrated?
Sheesh, that’s just too tough to call. What I love about Romance is how eclectic these love stories are. Telling the legend of love from every angle. To think about my “favorite” scene is like putting on music for the day, it changes with my mood.
Is there a part of your career as a narrator you thought was going to be difficult but has wound up being really wonderful?
Haha, well it’s all been difficult at some point along the way. But one aspect that I was probably most nervous for was attending my first convention. I like to think I’m a people person, but something about meeting listeners and other narrators for the first time in this field had me shakin’ in my boots! Well, no surprise, the community couldn’t have been more welcoming. Now, attending conventions is something that fills my cup both socially and spiritually with this work. Shoutout to the good folks at Indies Invade Philly for making me a con-convert.
Are there specific themes, tropes, or subgenres you’re more drawn to as a narrator, reader, or listener?
Totally. I love the electric tension in a Forced Proximity or One Big Bed. I’m always drawn to Golden Retriever or Cinnamon Roll MMC’s because they usually have great banter and authors are so smart about threading humor into the tension. Also, not gonna lie, I’m here for a single parent plot. Not only do I often see those characters written with such complexity, but it’s feels good to see people who are just doing their damn best get a win.
What is your favorite part about being a narrator?
I get to perform every day. I’m an actor, and have dedicated my life to telling stories. This medium gives the work the potential to reach an incredible amount of people. Not to get too woo-woo, but that’s what it’s all about right? Sharing stories with one another to deepen this experience of life.
What do you like to read/listen to? Any favorite authors/narrators you want to send a shout-out to?
I work mainly in Romance, but I’m a nerd at my core. On the RARE occasion I read/listen for myself, it’s a nice chonky fantasy or sci-fi. What’s fun about this industry is I can be a huge fan of my colleagues. Heath Miller is a buddy of mine who I’ve listened to well over a hundred hours of his LitRPG work and his cadence and natural humor still get me every time. Cheers mate!
Is there someone(s) who’s been influential in your life as it relates to your career?
For sure. There are so many performances that have been inspiring, but one takes the cake. I saw Mark Rylance in front row rush seats, in a play in London called Jerusalem, and it blew my mind. That man full on existed as his characters for 2 straight hours, and I understood then, how powerful a performance can be when there is no room for doubt in a performer’s conviction. I’ve strived for it ever since.
How have your life experiences influenced your career as a narrator?
A lifetime in the theater will teach you a lot hah. Romance is also such a deeply human genre…even if it’s not about humans ;). We’ve all experienced joy, grief, passion, anger etc.. and I like to think all of my life experiences are funneled into the work I create.
This or That: 7 random questions that may or may not be book related:
Kindle or Paperback
Paperback
Beach or Mountain Vacation
Beach
Dogs or Cats
Dogs
Ice Cream or Cake
Cake
Action Flick or Rom-Com
Action flick
Tea or Coffee
Tea
Road Trip or Air Travel
This is a trick!!! I looove long distance drives but I like to travel to places my car can’t get me, so I turn to the skies.
Connect with Rob here:
You can find more information about Rob and his audiobook catalog, and how to connect with him on social media here:
