Orion partners with Open Door to find narrator for Capes debut

Orion Fiction has partnered with Open Door to find the voice of the unabridged audio edition for Kirsty Capes’ debut novel, Careless.

The novel will be published on 13th May 2021 in hardback, e-book and audio, and the publisher is now looking for an up-and-coming talent to voice the part of Bess, the novel’s "feisty and fearless" protagonist who fights to follow her dreams against the odds.

Open Door is an organisation that helps talented young people who do not have the financial support or resources to gain a place at one of the UK’s leading drama schools.

Editorial director Charlotte Mursell and senior audio manager Paul Stark partnered with David Mumeni, c.e.o. and founder of Open Door, to offer the casting call to the programme’s students.

A panel of five judges including Mursell, Stark, Capes, professional audiobook narrator Penelope Rawlins and Hachette audio producer Matt Furmidge will assess the submissions, with shortlisted candidates invited to attend a reading and coaching session. The winner will be offered a paid contract with Hachette for the audio recording of Careless and have the chance to create a showreel for future voice work.

Mursell said: "The raw authenticity of Kirsty’s writing knocked me sideways on acquisition and it always felt so important to me that the audiobook for Careless captured the incredible spirit of the novel’s fierce, big-hearted protagonist, Bess. I’m so thrilled that we have been able to work with Open Door for our casting and I hope that this is just the start of a very exciting partnership."

Capes said: "I'm delighted about this unique opportunity to find the voice of Careless. The book's narrator, Bess, is feisty and fearless, but also incredibly vulnerable. To be working with an organisation such as Open Door, that helps young people who face obstacles achieve their dreams, is totally in line with the message of the book, and I'm so excited to hear the auditionees' different takes on Bess."

Mumeni said: "This is a brilliant opportunity for the young actors we work with, not only to have the chance to voice this fantastic debut but to also get an insight into the world of audiobooks with the support of one of the country’s leading publishing companies. We're super excited to be partnering with Orion on this project and I hope this will be the start of something very special."