Audiobook narrator · Davidson, NC

Tension, tenderness, and everything between.

I’m Tim Mascara, an audiobook narrator in Davidson, North Carolina. Mystery and thriller, inspirational and leadership nonfiction, memoir and children’s books — read with a measured voice that knows when to hold back and when to let a scene land.

Mystery & thriller
The Devil You Know · Benjamin Bradley
2:16
27 published titles
3 in production
20+ years in public speaking
Audible · Apple Books · Spotify

Just released

New on Audible

Hear a sample from each right here, or click a cover to go to Audible.

The Devil You Know — listen on Audible

Mystery & thriller

The Devil You Know: A Clay Finley Mystery

Benjamin Bradley
Listen on Audible →
Leading Lazarus — listen on Audible

Christian leadership

Leading Lazarus: 8 Transformational Frameworks to Resurrect Your Culture

Jared Fabac
Listen on Audible →
Mental Toughness for High-Performing Professionals — listen on Audible

Self-help / personal development

Mental Toughness for High-Performing Professionals

Dr. April Pete Starks
Listen on Audible →

Find your genre

Every demo is cut from a real, published book. Click any card to play it — where a genre has more than one take, pick the one closest to your book.

Benjamin Bradley · new release2:16
Jared Fabac · new release2:58
In the Presence of Jesus2:50
The Secret Life of a Very Clumsy Pirate2:12
Reflective, first person2:38
Hydroponics for Beginners2:01

Hear something that fits your book? I’ll record a free sample — up to three minutes — from your actual manuscript.

Request a free sample read
More demos — poetry, craft nonfiction, and more children’s character work

On the shelf

27 published titles. Hover to pause, click any cover to hear it on Audible.

Full catalog on Audible →
The Devil You Know Leading Lazarus Mental Toughness for High-Performing Professionals The Secret Life of a Very Clumsy Pirate Pointing Somewhere The Strength to Serve Pattern of Sevens The Scrappy, Curious Evan The Isaiah Blueprint The Isle of Trembling Tides Crafting Spirits from Scratch The Heart’s Soul The Map That Did Not Want to Be Found
Stopping at Green Lights Help Me Stop Procrastinating The Day the Sea Went Quiet Hydroponics for Beginners The Ethiopian Bible The Secret Club of Superheroes in Disguise Finding Your Italian Ancestors Self-Discipline or Regret — on Spotify The Pirate the Sea Chose The Books of Meqabyan Life With Abundance No Worries The Secret Society of Silly Socks
In production: The Scrappy, Curious Evan and the Island of Echoes · Let Us Go Then, You and I · Mental Toughness for Over-Thinkers

What authors say

Ten reviews, in their own words. Swipe, tap a card, or use the arrows.

Tim Mascara was the perfect audiobook narrator and creative partner to bring my book to life. He was professional, communicative, and brought humanity to the narration that struck a chord with me and readers alike. I look forward to finding opportunities to work with Tim again in the future. Highly recommend!
Benjamin BradleyThe Devil You Know: A Clay Finley Mystery
I am grateful that I discovered Tim Mascara when seeking a voice to bring my book to life. His communication, punctuality, and ability to adapt to feedback were all top notch. He perfectly encapsulated the various emotions throughout the book, providing genuine joviality in the lighthearted moments and a dash of gravitas when the writing called for it. If I ever write another book, Tim would be my narrator of choice.
Dr. Zachary KeithThe Strength to Serve
Tim's voice was exactly what this book needed, clear, warm, and easy to listen to from start to finish. Communication throughout the project was excellent, he was quick to respond, easy to work with, and handled everything professionally. The whole process felt smooth and low-stress. I'm already looking forward to bringing him on for my next project.
Vaughn CarterHelp Me Stop Procrastinating
Tim's narration of my children's book was an absolute joy. His voice brought such warmth and humor to the story — I found myself laughing out loud more than once! Beyond his incredible storytelling, Tim caught a few mistakes I hadn't noticed, which was truly invaluable. It felt like working with a friend who cared deeply about making the book the best it could be. I'm so grateful for his talent and attention to detail, and I can't recommend him enough for anyone looking for a thoughtful, engaging narrator.
Daphne Anne SothebyThe Scrappy, Curious Evan and the Totally Accidental, Unplanned, Magical Adventure
Working with Tim Mascara to narrate my audiobook was an outstanding experience from start to finish! His professionalism, communication, and attention to detail were exceptional, and his ability to bring my words to life exceeded every expectation. He delivered A+ quality, followed through on every commitment, and 100 percent provided incredible value at a very reasonable price. If you're looking for a gifted narrator who genuinely cares about your project and treats it with excellence, I couldn't recommend Tim more highly!
Ryan BunburyNo Worries: How Turning Worry Into Prayer Changed My Life
Although Tim Mascara is a relatively new narrator, I was willing to take a chance because his voice and presentation was a perfect match for my project. I was delighted with his willingness to take direction and incorporate my feedback. We worked together like a well-oiled machine, and he is already agreed to take on my next project. My only hesitation in offering this celebration of his work is that he may become too busy to take on future projects for me.
Casey RowanHydroponics for Beginners
Working with Tim was a fantastic experience; he provided a high-quality narration with a great voice that truly elevated my audiobooks. His communication was professional throughout the project, and I was consistently impressed by his quick turnaround times. He also handled any necessary corrections promptly and without hassle. I highly recommend Tim for anyone looking for a reliable and talented narrator.
Tom RobinsonThe Secret Life of a Very Clumsy Pirate series & more
I couldn't be happier with the way Tim Mascara narrated my audiobook. From the very first chapter, it felt like he genuinely understood the heart behind the message and brought it to life in a powerful and personal way. His voice is warm, engaging, and easy to listen to, making the experience feel more like a conversation than a reading. Tim's narration added depth and emotion to the book, and I am incredibly grateful for the care and professionalism he brought to this project.
Pastor Justin DemersStopping at Green Lights
Tim was recommended to me by ChatGPT as my #1 choice for a narrator — and ChatGPT absolutely got it right. Life with Abundance is a very personal book, carrying a message of faith, hope, and trusting God through life's challenges. Tim understood the heart behind the message and delivered it with the warmth, emotion, and sincerity I was hoping for. He didn't simply read my words, he brought them to life. If I had to choose a narrator all over again, Tim would still be my #1 choice.
Vladimir TimchukLife With Abundance
Working with Tim Mascara was a very positive experience. He was professional, reliable, and delivered excellent narration quality for the project. I especially appreciated his speed and efficiency, as he completed and delivered the audiobook ahead of the agreed deadline. Communication was smooth throughout the process, and I would be happy to work with him again on future projects.
Ancient Covenant PressThe Ethiopian Bible: Sacred Texts & Canon Explained in Plain English
Tim Mascara

About

A voice shaped by decades of words

I didn’t come to narration from a theater background or a broadcasting degree. I came to it after more than twenty years of speaking in front of people every week — teaching, telling stories, and learning what it means to hold a room with nothing but voice, presence, and words that matter.

That work taught me pacing: when to lean in, when to let a line breathe, and when a pause does more than a word. It’s why I can move between the slow-building dread of a thriller, the authority of a leadership chapter, and the tenderness of a personal story without flattening any of them.

I record from a dedicated, treated home studio in Davidson, NC. Files are clean, on spec, and ready for distribution without extra work on your end.

Mic
Rode NT1 5th Generation
Processing
iZotope RX 11
Delivery
ACX-compliant WAV

Associations & training

  • Audio Publishers AssociationMember
  • Audiobook Career KickstartMember — Lisa Larsen
  • Voice Acting Career KickstartMember — Brady & Elizabeth Hales
  • Private coachingWilliam Crockett, narrator & audiobook publisher

How we can work together

Whether you’re an author, a small publisher, or an organization.

Audiobook narration

Full narration from manuscript to finished, mastered audio. I record, edit, proof-listen, and deliver ACX-compliant files. You get a finished product — not raw recordings that need more work on your end.

Pay-for-production · Starting at $150 PFH

Author direct

Work with me outside any platform — full file ownership, flexible licensing, no fees. You control the rights and the distribution. The cleanest arrangement for authors who want to own their audio outright.

Custom quote · Direct licensing

Also open to: eLearning, training modules, and corporate or organizational voiceover. If your project needs a clear, trustworthy voice, tell me about it.

Audiobook narration is priced per finished hour (PFH) — the running time of the completed audio, not recording time. A rough guide: 9,000–10,000 words equals about one finished hour. I’m happy to give you a project estimate before you commit to anything.

From manuscript to finished audio

  1. 1 · InquiryTell me your project: genre, word count, timeline. I’ll review a sample of your manuscript and confirm whether it’s a fit.
  2. 2 · Sample readI record up to three minutes from your actual text. You hear your words in my voice before you commit to anything.
  3. 3 · AgreementWe agree on rate, timeline, revision terms, and delivery format. Everything in writing before production begins.
  4. 4 · ProductionI record, edit, and master. Chapters delivered as completed or in a final batch — your preference. You’re never in the dark.

For authors

What to know before you reach out

Most first-time audiobook authors go into the process underprepared. These are the questions I hear most often — answered plainly.

What does “per finished hour” mean?

Narration is priced on the running time of the completed audio, not the hours it takes to record. A rough rule: 9,000–10,000 words of prose equals approximately one finished hour of audio. A 60,000-word book is roughly 6–7 finished hours. If you’re quoted $150 PFH and your book is 65,000 words, budget approximately $975–$1,050 for narration.

ACX or direct — which is right for me?

ACX is Amazon’s platform connecting authors with narrators — your audiobook distributes through Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. Pay-for-production means you pay a per-finished-hour rate upfront and keep all royalties. Working with me directly outside ACX gives you full file ownership, no platform fees, and flexibility on distribution. Both paths are clean. The right one depends on your goals and budget.

How long does production take?

I target approximately one finished hour of audio per day of active production. A 6-hour audiobook typically takes 4–6 weeks from manuscript to final delivery, accounting for my current project load, proof-listening, and any revisions. Timelines are agreed in writing before we start.

What genres do you take on?

Mystery and thriller, leadership and self-help, inspirational and Christian nonfiction, memoir, literary fiction, how-to, and children’s books. If your project is a good fit, I’ll tell you. If it isn’t, I’ll tell you that too.

What do you need from me before we start?

A final, proofread manuscript — not a draft. A pronunciation guide for any proper nouns, place names, or foreign phrases. Your preferred timeline. And if you have reference audio of narrators whose style fits your book, share it. I’d rather know your instincts upfront than guess wrong and redo it.

What format do you deliver?

ACX-standard by default: WAV files, 44.1kHz, 16-bit, mono, –23 LUFS RMS, –3dBTP peak, noise floor below –60dB, with room tone at the head and tail of each chapter. For non-ACX distribution, I deliver to your specs. Two rounds of directed revisions are included in every project.

Let’s talk about your book

I take on a limited number of projects at a time — which means if I’m available, you have my full attention. Reach out with as much or as little detail as you have. We’ll figure out together whether this is the right fit.

I typically respond within one business day.

tim@timmascara.com

Davidson, North Carolina · Tim on Audible

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