Flights of Fantasy Podcast – Season 5, Episode 12: Interview with Elizabeth Evans

Release Date: May 6, 2025

In this captivating episode of Flights of Fantasy, hosts Anna, Kim, and Christina welcome Elizabeth Evans, the renowned audiobook narrator known for bringing to life beloved series such as Throne of Glass, Crescent City, and the newly re-recorded A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) slated for release on May 30. The conversation delves deep into Elizabeth's journey, her meticulous process, the emotional nuances of her work, and the interplay between narrating expansive fantasy worlds and engaging with passionate fanbases.

1. Elizabeth Evans' Journey as a Narrator

Elizabeth shares how her career in audiobook narration began unexpectedly. While pursuing her undergraduate studies at NYU, she attended an Audible workshop purely out of curiosity, not anticipating a future in narration.

Christina (Elizabeth Evans): "Narrating books was never something I really pursued or tried to. It wasn't the big dream kind of thing."
(00:02:12)

Her initial foray involved reading short, middle-grade volunteer books, but her portrayal of Celaena Sardothien in Throne of Glass was a turning point that ignited her passion for narrating.

Christina: "The third book I got was the first Throne of Glass book. It totally skewed my perception of the work."
(00:02:57)

2. A Day in the Life of a Narrator

Elizabeth outlines her structured routine leading up to and during recording sessions. Preparation begins the night before with rereading the sections to be recorded, followed by vocal warm-ups and physical stretching to maintain stamina during long recording hours.

Christina: "A day in the life starts the night before because I will have read the book already months out, but I'll reread the 70 to 100 pages that we may cover the next day."
(00:04:12)

Her mornings involve vocal steaming to soothe her vocal cords, especially important due to her severe allergies.

3. Recording Techniques and Processes

Elizabeth employs a punch recording method, aiming to record in single takes without rehearsals. This technique emphasizes authenticity but requires high concentration to avoid mistakes.

Christina: "It's one take. It's not like rehearsing it to find a final product. You're reading the book for eight hours."
(00:07:08)

When errors occur, the engineer stops the recording, allowing her to resume seamlessly, ensuring a smooth narrative flow.

4. Maintaining Character Consistency Across Series

To preserve the distinct voices of diverse characters across different series, Elizabeth maintains comprehensive documents detailing each character's vocal traits, pivotal moments, and arc developments. She often creates vocal samples to ensure consistency over time.

Christina: "I'll make little vocal samples just on my phone or that sort of thing. And especially because I would send them to Sarah for approval."
(00:14:47)

For series like ACOTAR, she utilizes pitch differentiation to distinguish between characters such as Feyre, Elaine, and Nesta, ensuring each sister's voice remains unique yet cohesive within the narrative.

5. Emotional Engagement and Handling Intense Scenes

Elizabeth candidly discusses the emotional toll of narrating poignant moments, such as the sacrifices in Throne of Glass or Nesta's personal struggles in Silver Flames. She often finds herself genuinely moved, which can sometimes affect her performance quality.

Christina: "When the 13 sacrificed themselves, that was one of the only times I've had to step out of the booth... I was crying so much that it just distorts the audio too much to keep."
(00:21:34)

Despite these challenges, Elizabeth strives to maintain authenticity, ensuring that the emotional depth of the story resonates with listeners.

6. Navigating Fandom Expectations and Pressures

With the ACOTAR series boasting a vast and dedicated fanbase, Elizabeth experiences heightened pressure to meet expectations. Unlike her previous work, this series demands meticulous attention to character portrayal to satisfy long-time fans.

Christina: "With ACOTAR, there are so many moments... it's about embodying who each of the characters are without putting choices on top of it."
(00:33:31)

She emphasizes the importance of delivering the story as intended by the author, avoiding unnecessary embellishments that could detract from the original narrative.

7. Dealing with Social Media and Negative Feedback

Elizabeth addresses the challenges of interacting with fans online, including managing negative feedback and maintaining her mental well-being. She employs strategies such as blocking harmful comments and distancing herself from platforms that exacerbate insecurities.

Christina: "I have read it completely blocked where I can't get into it even if I tried, which is healthy because... you're never going to please everybody."
(00:39:40)

Her approach involves focusing on positive interactions and protecting her personal space to continue delivering quality narration without external pressures.

8. Personal Reflections and Favorite Moments

Highlighting memorable scenes, Elizabeth shares her favorite parts of various series, including intense confrontations, emotional breakthroughs, and significant plot twists. These moments not only showcase her versatility but also reflect her deep connection to the stories she narrates.

Christina: "I really love the action sequence of Azriel rescuing Elain in Wings and Ruin. I loved all the wedding stuff."
(00:47:25)

Such reflections underline the profound impact these narratives have on both Elizabeth and the listeners.

9. Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

As the episode concludes, Elizabeth expresses her excitement for the new ACOTAR recordings, addressing fans' queries about runtime differences and assuring them of the complete content despite the edits.

Christina: "All the books are the full book. I think I just maybe talked a little faster or that I speed up for action sequences or something, but it's the full books."
(00:53:25)

The hosts express their enthusiasm for the upcoming releases, reaffirming their support and anticipation for Elizabeth's continued contributions to the fantasy audiobook realm.

Notable Quotes

• Elizabeth on Starting Narration:
  "It wasn't the big dream kind of thing."
  (00:02:12)

• On the Recording Process:
  "It's one take. It's not like rehearsing it to find a final product."
  (00:07:08)

• Managing Multiple Characters:
  "I want to embody who each of the characters are without putting choices on top of it."
  (00:33:31)

• Dealing with Emotional Scenes:
  "I was crying so much that it just distorts the audio too much to keep."
  (00:21:34)

Conclusion

This episode offers an intimate glimpse into the meticulous and emotionally charged world of audiobook narration through Elizabeth Evans' experiences. From navigating complex character arcs to managing the expectations of a passionate fanbase, Elizabeth's insights provide invaluable perspectives for both aspiring narrators and avid listeners alike. As the ACOTAR re-recordings approach their release, fans eagerly anticipate Elizabeth's transformative storytelling, further cementing her status as a beloved voice in the fantasy literary community.