Interview with narrator \ author Joe Arden

1 – Have you narrated books from different genres?

Last year I recorded a collection of Edgar Allan Poe stories and poems. It was great fun and now I’m going to do at least one Classic title a year. If you have suggestions, please let me know!!!

2 – What was the most fun \ easy book you narrated?

I love a good rom-com for fun, easy listening. Heather Orgeron is probably my favorite comedic author. She writes really funny banter.

3 – What was the most difficult book \ character you narrated and why?

THE GIRL ON THE EDGE was a brutal, gut-wrenching experience because the character has a lot of trauma to overcome and endures some dark, triggering moments through the course of the book. Chapter 65 is the single greatest chapter I’ve ever recorded, in my opinion.

4 – Is there a genre \ book \ character that you won’t agree to narrate? If so – why?

I try not to say NO to anything because I don’t want to kink shame anyone. That said, I think boundaries help set reasonable expectations. So, incest and non-consent are two areas that I would be pretty hard pressed to engage in.

5 – What is the genre you like to read in your free time?

I love reading Philosophy, periodicals, and Charles Bukowski. I love the classics and I also love great, contemporary fiction.

6 – Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I have always loved the written word. I’ve been reading and telling stories my entire life. I’ve tried my hand at writing a number of times in the past, but only recently have I had the tenacity to finish projects and the bravery to share them with the public.

7 – Did you write a book and decide not to publish it?

I’ve got partially finished manuscripts and treatments for stories all over the place!

8 – By what do you choose a cover for a book?

Well, there seems to be a shift toward these animated romance book covers. I don’t love those, if I’m honest. They feel like false advertising a lot of the time.

Like Sci-Fi books don’t do cartoon drawings of ships for their covers, they make these super realistic-looking space scapes. Romance books are about unapologetically falling in love with a hot guy or a fun couple. So celebrate it. Embrace it.

But I haven’t decided on a cover for my new book, so maybe that will end up going the comic route, who knows?

9 – Where did you get the inspiration for the stories?

Life. Conversations with friends. Shakespeare.

10 – Who are your favorite writers?

Nietzsche, Faulkner, Bukowski, Ginsberg, Hanif Abdurraqir, Kafka, Tracy Letts