Mentorship FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions page for the Narrator Mentorship Program
Who is eligible to apply for the Narrator Mentorship Program? It is our hope that this program will help us fulfill Penguin Random House’s mission of “creating books for everyone” and to foster a universal passion for reading by partnering with authors to create stories and ideas that inform, entertain, and inspire.
The program is open to any actor interested in becoming an audiobook narrator, with the following restrictions:
- You must be 18 years old or older.
- You must not have narrated more than 9 audiobooks at the time of submission.
- You can speak, read, and perform in English even if you are fluent in other languages.
What are the Submission Guidelines for the Narrator Mentorship Program?
You’ll need to answer 17 questions about yourself and your skills. Preview the questions here. Note the application will take approximately 1 hour to complete.
Please fill out the application via Survey Monkey and include a link to a narration sample via Soundcloud (instructions here) or upload your sample to our dedicated Box folder (link is on the application). Please record and have your sample ready before you begin your application. Amateur phone recordings are okay! We will not be evaluating the quality of the audio. We’d just like to get a sense of how you navigate telling a story. Your sample should be 2-3 minutes long and be from a literary text.
The following are not acceptable samples and will result in disqualification:
- Commercial Voice Over Reel
- Animation Reel
- Video Game Reel
- Documentary Voice Over
- E-learning
- Podcast (Exception: an excerpt from an audio drama is acceptable if you are the sole narrator in the sample submitted)
Can I print and mail my application instead?
All applications are to be submitted digitally. If you are having technical issues with the application on Survey Monkey, please contact us at NarratorMentorship@penguinrandomhouse.com.
How will the Narrator Mentorship Program work?
Mentees will be paired with one of our audiobook producers or casting team associates, who will mentor them over a six-month period (January–June). Over the six months, the mentee will be guided in learning about audiobooks and the audiobook industry, creating audiobook demo samples, and performing at our Showcase Day, with the goal of launching an audiobook career.
Do I have to live in the United States to apply or to participate in the Narrator Mentorship Program?
No. As the program is conducted virtually and audiobook narrators are located all over the world, we do not restrict applicants or mentees to living in the United States or being a U.S. citizen.
How many mentees will be accepted for the Narrator Mentorship Program?
For the January 2026-June 2026 session, 21 to 23 mentees will be accepted into the program.
What are the criteria for being accepted to the Narrator Mentorship Program?
Candidates will be narrowed down based on their responses on the application and the potential we hear in their narration sample. The top candidates will each participate in an interview before final selections are made.
What do I need to participate in the Narrator Mentorship Program?
You will need a computer or laptop and access to the internet. A valid email address is also required.
Will you confirm receipt of my application?
Once you have completed and submitted the application you will be taken to a page within Survey Monkey that will confirm your application was submitted successfully.
Unfortunately, we are unable to individually confirm receipt of applications due to the high volume of submissions.
How will I be notified if I’ve been accepted into the Narrator Mentorship Program?
All applicants will be contacted directly about their status via email before the end of December.
Will I be notified if I am not accepted into the Narrator Mentorship Program?
Yes, all applicants not accepted into the current program will be notified by email.
Can I reapply to the Narrator Mentorship Program if I’ve applied previously?
Yes, all applicants not previously accepted into the program are eligible to reapply for future sessions. However, if you are currently in the program or have previously been accepted to the program, you may not reapply.