The audiobook for Outsider should be released later this year. The Short Story is set in an alternate-history world in which the Daoine-Sìth—the Fair Folk of Scottish lore—are reborn. Eilean nan Sìthean—the island of the fairy mounds—lies in the southwest of Scotland. It’s been under a strict military quarantine since a World War II biological weapon killed most of the humans but also resulted in the Fair Folk being born to the few women who survived.
My ancestry—according to genetic tests—is almost entirely northwestern European. Celts, Normans, Saxons, Vikings. My grandfather’s grandmother was born in Drumcoltran Tower near Kirkgunzeon in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. While doing genealogical research in the UK, I ran across an old book on family histories that said our sept of the Kirkpatricks were “thought to be fae.” Enchanted.
For Outsider, I did quite a bit of research on Scottish lore, family names, even some Scots Gaelic. While I took a number of liberties, I wanted the overall story to feel authentic. When it came time to produce an audiobook version, I wasn’t sure that I could find anyone with a Scottish accent that would also be clearly understood by American English speakers. And I wanted someone who could breathe life into my characters.
Katie Hart wasn’t the first person to audition, but as soon as I heard her version of little Peadar’s voice, I knew that she’d be perfect for the voiceovers. She would prove that Outsider was my best work.
Katie agreed to an interview. Without further ramblings on my part…
Lianne: So, Katie. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Katie: I’m a Scottish actor and voice over artist based in London, UK. I was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland and moved to London to pursue acting and attend drama school four years ago.
Lianne: Where did you train?
Katie: RADA for a year, then did my master’s at East 15 Acting School.
Lianne: How did you get started in voiceover?
Katie: As a kid, I was obsessed with stories. Before I could read, my Mum would read me the Beatrix Potter books which I quickly learned off by heart. One Christmas, my Dad dug out one of his old cassette tapes and recorded Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone off the radio for me so I could listen to the book at night. I was five or six at the time and had just learned to read. Listening to Stephen Fry’s narration did something to me. His characterisations, voices, tones; the way he brought the magic to life made it just that: magic. I soon begged my parents for more books and audiobooks to devour.
I knew from that point that I wanted to tell stories; I wanted to bring colossal tales to life for adults and kids alike. I guess that’s when my interest in voiceover began.
Lianne: What’s your favorite thing about it?
Katie: For me, it’s providing stories in another format. For kids who aren’t yet able to read or for those who struggle with reading, having another narrative to turn to just does it for me. That and voicing all the characters!
Lianne: Who’s your favourite character to voice in this book?
Katie: Well, I don’t want to give too much away, but I love voicing mythical characters. There’s so much fun you can have with their voices!
Lianne: That must be fun! Speaking of which, how did you find that Outsider dealt with Scottish lore?
Katie: You really captured the essence of our culture. Celtic culture places a lot of emphasis on water creatures. There are loads of tales of kelpies, sprites, selkies which spring to mind and of course, Nessie (the Loch Ness Monster) who everyone already knows.
Lianne: Kelpies and what…?
Katie: (Laughs) Kelpies are water shapeshifters which usually take on the form of horses. Sprites are devilish water pixies, and selkies are ‘seal folk’; like mermaids but they change from human to seal-form by shedding their skin.
Lianne: Sounds magical!
Katie: Don’t be fooled. They may sound enchanting but ‘faeries’ in our culture are often wee devils and prone to mischief!
Lianne: Maybe I’ll give them a miss then… So, what other work do you have coming up?
Katie: I’ve recently received funding to develop and devise a new play about mental health which I’m hoping to get on stage next year (depending on COVID-19, of course). I’m also writing a comedic short film about therapy which is due to start shooting in the new year. All in all, there’s loads of exciting things coming up!
Lianne: Thank you for the interview. I love your work and can’t wait to hear the completed audiobook.
If you’re an author in search of an excellent voiceover artist, be sure to consider Katie Hart!
You can find out more about Katie’s work here.