Mentorship FAQ

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 10 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?

There are three steps to this year’s application process. Please see our main page for detailed instructions.

How will the Narrator Mentorship Program work?
Mentees will be paired with members of our producing team who will mentor them over a six-month period (January – June). Over the six months, the mentees 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 2027-June 2027 session, 15 mentees will be accepted into the program. 

What are the criteria for being accepted to the Narrator Mentorship Program?
We are looking for the most compelling Personal Narratives along with Reading Samples that show promise. 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 the Smartsheet form, you will receive confirmation that it was received. It is your responsibility to make sure both audio clips are uploaded to their respective folders, the Reading Sample here [live link to come 8/25] and the Personal Narrative here [live link to come 8/25]. Unfortunately, we are unable to individually confirm receipt of applications and samples 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, 2026.

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.