5 questions with Tal Minear

There are few people more qualified to write a book called How to Make Audio Drama than Tal Minear. A voice actor, sound designer, producer of shows like Re:Dracula and Sidequesting, and tireless advocate for the format, Tal can now add author to their list of job titles. How to Make Audio Drama, out on March 14 wherever you get your e-books, is a comprehensive production guide that will help you get from idea to fully-produced audiodrama. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your existing productions, How to Make Audio Drama is essential reading.

Tal took time out of their busy production schedule to send over a text file with answers to five of our most interesting questions. Take it away, Tal…

How would you describe yourself to a stranger at a party?

Ah, one of my least favorite things to do! Usually I just say my name and ask theirs and then rapidly struggle to find something we have in common to talk about. "I have two cats" "I like to paint and crochet" "I make fiction podcasts" "I'm a Mechanical Engineer"... I'll pick one at random and go from there.

How do you organize your files?

I organize them in a myriad of nested folders that probably only make sense to me. Except for my downloads folder, which is a huge mess and shall stay that way. We don't talk about my downloads folder.

What are you listening to when you’re not listening to audio fiction?

Audiobooks! I love me an audiobook. Some of my faves are The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar and Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle. I also listen/watch to a lot of video essays on YouTube.

Do you have an audio fiction hot take?

I have probably too many audio fiction hot takes, but perhaps among the spiciest is that I think people should have a reason for why they're telling their story as an audio drama. I love audio fiction that plays with the medium and/or knows what it's doing. There's a certain creative voice in these productions that goes missing when audio drama is chosen as the format for *shrug* reasons.

Is there an audiodrama resource you think everyone should read?

Every single thing on Atypical Artist's resources page, but especially the production handbook. There's so many useful bits of advice here!

Thank you Tal for taking part in the latest edition of 5 questions! If you want to find all of Tal’s shows, check out their website, and make sure to grab a copy of How to Make Audio Drama wherever fine e-books are sold.