DOROTHY KOOMSON has launched an open casting call for black women to voice one of the main characters in her new audiobook.
The author is looking for a black woman to voice the role of Verity Gillmare from All My Lies Are True, the sequel to her Sunday Times bestselling book, The Ice Cream Girls.
Koomson said: “I realised that the role of Verity was the ideal time to give someone up-and-coming the chance to showcase their vocal acting talents. This is for those who would not necessarily think of applying for audiobook work or who just wouldn’t have that opportunity to show casting experts their skills.”
Young black actresses, performers and drama students are all being encouraged to apply for the paid role, but those without acting or voice work experience are also urged to submit an application.
Headline, who have partnered with Koomson on the “Find My Verity” casting call, are also working with drama schools across the country to find the perfect person to fill the part.
Koomson said she hoped the initiative would prompt other publishers to “try things like this to find voices and people from marginalised and underrepresented communities for these types of roles”.
The chosen narrator will read alongside Adjoa Andoh and Julie Maisey, who voiced the original novel in 2010.
Applicants who do not make the shortlist for the role of Verity may still be considered for future audiobook narration projects by the audio teams at Hachette.
Hannah Cawse, audio editor, Headline, said: “We are so excited to be working closely with Dorothy Koomson to find the voice of Verity. us to draw on the in-house expertise our producers have to offer, but it is also a fantastic chance to foster new talent.”
How to apply
Submissions will be accepted until March 8 2020 and will be assessed by Dorothy Koomson, the Headline audio team and a member of Hachette’s black, Asian and ethnic minority employee network, THRIVE.
Shortlisted candidates will attend a workshop held at the new Hachette recording studios in Carmelite House, London, where they will have one-to-one training sessions with in-house producers.
All My Lies Are True will be published in hardback, eBook and audio on July 9 2020.
For more information on how to apply, click here.
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