Ongoing Discussion of Trained vs. Untrained Narrators

Great discussion happening over at Speaking of Audiobooks: Untrained Narrators? I'm Not Interested

Here's the intro from the post's author:

There’s a new trend sweeping the audiobook industry and it’s the frequent use of untrained narrators. Narrators who are more likely to take away from the audiobook experience rather than add to it. It’s a trend that I hope will simply spend itself and go away, but one which I’m afraid is here to stay. I can only assume that somewhere along the line, the decision to use untrained narrators (with lower pay) translates into the ability to produce more audiobooks. But in the process, an invisible price is paid as the listener’s trust slowly erodes. How many listeners will continue to buy audiobooks (or even use the library) if the experience is less than enjoyable? It’s not only a waste of the listener’s money but their time as well.

The comments have extended and deepened the discussion. And the author let me know that they will be doing a 6-narrator panel on the subject in February, offering a positive path forward.

Feel strongly about this? I know I do. Head over, read the column and comments and add your thoughts.