[Wendy Abbey]

“There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is”
by Elaine A. Clark
A review by Wendy Abbey

When first picked up it catches attention. It meaning the book, this orange book cover with a microphone balanced delicately in the center. The title in large white letters, boldly declaring, “THERE’S MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS” and below in smaller definitive black letters, “An Insider’s Guide to a Career in Voice-Overs”. The author’s name, ELAINE A. CLARK, appears below in modestly sized white letters.

The back cover states the $18.95 U.S. price tag. A brief introduction to Elaine A. Clark and her varied professional background lets the intended reader proceed with confidence. Confident that inside these pages, waiting to be discovered, is clearly laid out information. Tools needed in the world of voice over. Finally these encouraging words from the Epilogue, “Practice, commitment, and trust are the keys to your success. When you open up your imagination and let the words come alive, the real fun begins.”

It wasn’t too many pages into this book when I realized that I was so enthused by what I was reading that I wanted to highlight, underline, and turn down the corners of pages. I knew that if I started I would not complete this review, so I did what Elaine A. Clark suggested “read it through once, then use it as a workbook.” How could I not!

After a short background of the voice over industry we easily move to voice exercises again with explanations so I, as the reader, feel as though she is with me showing me how. I am then taken into: what do I see in the copy, how do I read it, what is my breath doing, the five W’s, and best of all how to mark a sentence (for vo) of copy that works. In fact I didn’t see anything in her multiple examples and techniques that doesn’t work and isn't usable as soon as you want to start. There are eye catching diagrams, interviews with professionals in the field, scripts, full explanations of what goes on a demo, and so much more.

When you select this reasonably priced book and enter its pages, I believe that you too will follow its path into a fascinating and adventurous time of reading. I must warn you though, don’t be surprised if you want to stop to highlight, underline, and turn down page corners. Keep going, you can always come back to reread, practice, and take notes.
I plan to.