Audiobooks at Sea 2026 Workshop Schedule

All sessions are taking place at The Meeting Place Conference Center, Level 14 accessible via the forward elevators

For those attending the 2026 workshop - if you have any specific questions that you would like Joel to include while preparing with the coaches for the workshop sessions, please let him know by filling out the form at this link!

April 12, Embarkation Day

SAIL AWAY COCKTAIL PARTY AND WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

(Time TBA) - Sky Lounge, Deck 14 forward elevators

Narrators and Guests of narrators are invited to join us in the Sky Lounge for panoramic views as we sail away on April 12th, the first night of our cruise! At this combination cocktail party/registration/orientation, we will be introducing our intrepid coaches and panelists while having the chance to meet your fellow nautical narrators!

April 12, Key West – The Meeting Place, Level 14

KISSING (AND KILLING) COUSINS OF LIT - Rom Com vs Romance & Mystery/Thriller vs Cozy

(With Joel Froomkin. 5 to 6 pm)

The audience expectation and performance demands of a rom com vs a romance and a mystery or thriller vs a cozy are psychologically profound and powerful for the narrator to harness and paramount to play. How do we do we target tone, find the clues on the page and develop a knack to knowing what stylistic world we're inhabiting. In this deep dive, Joel will highlight the tell-tale signs of structure, character and construction that help us self-direct and organically connect to both these connected genres.

PROJECT HAIL MARY - The Making of a Masterpiece

(With Ray Porter and Joel Froomkin. 6:10 to 7 pm)

In a fire-side chat with Ray Porter, we'll explore the performance, process and passion behind one of most legendary audiobooks of all time. In a fangirl fueled confab - Joel and Ray will delve into the creation of his pitch-perfect performance of Project Hail Mary from prep, pacing and process. Ray's approach to the book will be our springboard to explore his philosophical approach as an actor, profound lessons in trusting our gut, banishing self-talk b.s. and how craft and creativity can help us all make a story leap off the page.

April 14th – Sea Day – The Meeting Place, Level 14

JUVENILE NON-FICTION - Teaching Without Preaching

(With Dion Graham and Sean Pratt, 10:10 to 11 am - Room 1)

Narrating non-fiction for younger audiences can not only be deeply rewarding but also provides an incredible chance harness your inner sense of mischief, curiosity and adventure. From self-help to educational and biography - Sean and Dion will explore the way various age groups demand a shift in philosophy and approach and share tips and tricks to capture these growing listeners in a way that makes learning anything but lame.

THE NARRATOR'S SCHEDULE WITH RICH - Solid Solutions for Guessing and the Stressing

(With Rich Najuch. April 8, 10:10 to 11 am – Room 2)

With delayed manuscripts, last-minute publisher requests, family obligations and wildlyyyy inaccurate word counts - narrators need a schedule that is not only accurate but endlessly and easily adaptable. Rich will show us how he creates that for Joel and is able to breakdown each project while constantly adapting a functional but flexible recording schedule for Joel - Ensuring household structure, security and sanity.

POWERING UP YOUR PREP - Promoting powerful, connected and engaging performance

(With Helen Lloyd. 11:10 to 12 pm – Room 1)

Helen Lloyd unlocks the power of prep for poised and polished narration with profound and believable character development. Discover the superpowers of your vocal delivery ... pace, pitch and pause, and how to bring classical acting skills into the booth to enhance your reads. Discover how meaningful prep and mindful practice increase productive recording time, more precise reads and fewer pickups - but without losing that vital connection with the text, so that you, and your listeners remain passionately engaged with every story from start to finish.

THE NARRATOR'S SCHEDULE WITH RICH - Solid Solutions for Guessing and the Stressing

(With Rich Najuch. April 8, 11:10 to 12 pm – Room 2)

With delayed manuscripts, last-minute publisher requests, family obligations and wildlyyyy inaccurate word counts - narrators need a schedule that is not only accurate but endlessly and easily adaptable. Rich will show us how he creates that for Joel and is able to breakdown each project while constantly adapting a functional but flexible recording schedule for Joel - Ensuring household structure, security and sanity.

12 pm to 1:30 pm - Lunch

THE SAVVY SORCERY OF SOCIAL MEDIA

(With Jess Moran. 1:30 to 2:30 pm)

Jess Moran has one of the most creative, well-branded and inviting online narrator presences you can find - and it garners her profound reader and writer relationships. Jess will share with us her philosophy, the way she found her voice and style, and how she curates, collects and creates visual content. Discover how Jess - as a crazy-busy mom and full-time narrator - she found the way to balance, commit and grow her online presence. So many of us finding it a daunting chore - Jess will unlock how she finds the joy her online presence and the profound impact of her authentic and personal approach.

THE AGING VOICE - Venerating Our Voice in its Veteran Years

(With Helen Lloyd, Sean Pratt, Ray Porter, Dion Graham, and Joel Froomkin. 2:45 to 3:30 pm)

It happens to us all - so even the young whippersnappers don't wanna miss this! As our careers grow seasoned - so do our vocal cords! Our narrator coaches have a frank, vulnerable and open conversation about the emotional, logistical and business impacts and challenges of the way our instrument shifting affects us. How do we keep our instrument as versatile as it can be, how do we embrace and evaluate our changing brand, reframe our image with casting creatives and shift our performances and stamina when those marathon recording days aren't quiteeee as easy as the used to be?

With Helen Lloyd, Sean Pratt, Ray Porter, Dion Graham, and Joel Froomkin

WRANGLING THE ART OF REACH-OUTS - Mastering Messaging to Authors and Publishers.

(With Joel Froomkin. 3:45 to 5 pm)

Let's bust open the burdensome business of cold-reach outs, introductory emails and 'Hi, I'm Still Alive' quarterly conundrums. With the help of attendee-submitted real-life examples, Joel explores the path to crafting engaging and effective emails and introductions with both indie authors and casting folk. We'll give you fresh perspective, concrete tools and confidence in the way you position and present yourself and your talent to the folks that can change your career.

BANISHING THE NERVES OF NETWORKING - The Secret Superpower of Small Talk

(With Ana Clements. 5:15 to 6 pm)

In an industry when we so often feel our job is to sell ourselves - it's the personal, authentic connections that can have the greatest impact. In a special sneak peek dive into her soon-to-be released book on the subject, the amazing Ana Clements will help us battle those bothersome butterflies of small talk and cocktail chatter with tangible tools to engage others in an honest, open and exciting way.

April 15th – Georgetown, Tender Port – No Education Sessions - (There will be coaching sessions from 5pm to 8pm)

April 16th – Cozumel – The Meeting Place, Level 14

CAPTURING THE AUTHOR'S VOICE - Detecting narrative clues and personal perspective in nonfiction

(With Sean Pratt.  9 to 10 am)

The Ginger Yoda encourages us to slip on our detective caps and find the hidden stylistic gems which help harness every author's unique voice and energy in non fiction. How can we plug into their passion and personality and conjure it in a way that engages the listener. From turn of phrase, choice of vocabulary, anecdote and humor - find the clues to capture the author's individual character and take the listener on an arresting and entertaining journey that makes fact as fascinating as fiction.

ACTIVATING THE ACTORS ARTISTRY - Trusting your inner voice

(With Dion Graham.  10 to 11 am)

When Dion first began narrating he felt caged-in and began to second guess his ability to bring himself and his own lens to the work. Through the path of self-trust and advocating for his own contribution as an artist, he has become one of the most celebrated and trusted narrators of our time. He will share his journey on this path, the profound lessons he's learned, and  examples where he truly had to trust his creative impulses. He'll help us find the balance between respecting the material and still celebrating the value each of us brings as an individual creative voice to any project.

April 17, Sea Day – The Meeting Place, Level 14

THE CHARACTER TOOLBOX - Amp Up your Creative Character Arsenal

(With Joel Froomkin. 10:15 am to 12 pm)

A playful, interactive (and trademarked highly-caffeinated) exploration of character creation. Joel takes the case-study challenge of 'casting' the voices in a classic Agatha Christie mystery as a springboard to explore the myriad of toys in an actors toolbox for inspiration, and connection. Utilizing Laban, psychological gesture, animal work, and celebrity casting we'll dive into how many different means of inspiration can give us a vibrant cast of characters we can approach with specificity while staying true and grounded.

12 pm to 1:30 pm - Lunch

TECH TALK - What a Narrator NEEDS to Know

(With Ryan Mey. 1:30 pm to 3 pm)

Audiobook audio often feels confusing — not because narrators lack skill, but because no one’s ever shown them the full system. With years of experience as an engineer at Brilliance Audio, Ryan has a unique perspective on exactly what the publishers want from your audio. In this session Ryan unpacks the decision order behind professional audiobook production, revealing how recording, editing, mastering, and QC actually connect. The result? Less guesswork, less panic, and far more confidence behind the mic! PUB panel 1:30 14 PLUS PUB PANEL - Curious Queries for our Casting Cadre An open, frank and fun panel with our fabulous casting directors and producers. Each year our guests have engaged in an energized conversation that was giving, open and enlightening as we cover a wide variety of topics - including burning questions submitted by you!

PUBLISHER PANEL PALOZA!

(With Joel Froomkin and all publishers. 3:15 to 4:45 pm)

How to craft relationships with traditional publishing houses. Making an impact. Staying in touch without pushing too hard. How to be the kind of actor they want to work with over and over. A lengthy panel and open Q and A with our fabulous casting directors and producers.

CLOSING REMARKS – Giveaway winners announcements - Followed by Group Photo!

(With all. 4:45 to 6 pm)

SMALL GROUP COACHING SESSIONS

Narrators will be scheduled for small group coaching sessions throughout the cruise. 

NIGHTLY DINNER

Dinner each evening is scheduled together in the dining room at 8:30 pm. (Buffet dinner is also available for those who want to eat earlier.)

For those attending the 2026 workshop - if you have any specific questions that you would like Joel to include while preparing with the coaches for the workshop sessions, please let him know by filling out the form at this link!