About Me
I’m Mel, an audiobook production & casting specialist with a decade of experience working at the heart of the UK audiobook publishing industry.
I’ve spent my career helping publishers, studios, and authors produce great audiobooks. From finding the perfect narrator to managing the full production process, I bring a calm, thoughtful hand to every project I work on.
I initially trained as a broadcast journalist — drawn to the blend of production, storytelling, and the idea of giving people a voice and a platform. That instinct carried into publishing.
I entered the audiobook industry right when spoken word began to take off.
From my first role – and my first task, which I fondly remember was to interview Michael Owen for his autobiography Reboot – I was hooked.
I’ve since gone on to spend a decade honing my skills, talent and understanding of both production and strategy at various leading audio publishers including W. F. Howes and Pan Macmillan, where I cast and oversaw hundreds of titles across every genre, every level of complexity, and all budgets. I’ve worked with talent such as Romesh Ranganathan, Robin Ince, Nicola Sturgeon, as well as titles by bestselling authors such as Val McDermid, Sophie Kinsella and The Secret Barrister.
I’ve developed a genuine instinct for what makes a great audiobook in today’s market. I now work independently to bring that experience directly to the publishers, studios, and authors.
I’m also passionate about issues such as inequality, fairness and diversity, and strive to operate with these values in my work.
Storytelling has always been the thread that has run throughout my career.
Why work with me?
This unique holistic experience means I can collaborate at any stage of production. I can work with studios and produce/direct with a publisher’s mindset. I can produce AI-narrated audiobooks with an extreme level of detail and a human voice casting mindset. I have a strong QC ear across both workflows, can oversee a busy production schedule, and put together a complex production proposal for an author to review.
It also means I understand the importance of balance, ethics and strategy as we navigate a changing market. Navigating this responsibly, ethically and thoughtfully is extremely important to me.
My audiobook casting work has been largely UK-specific, which is something US and international publishers producing British-set titles come to me for specifically.
I’ve spent a decade working across every step of the audiobook process.