Barbara Henslee

What was the first audiobook you performed?

Time to Tell a Tale or Two, Barbara Henslee

What title or series are you best known for?

The Story of Mary Kay: Selling Opportunity by Mary Lisa Gavenas

If a listener wanted to get to know your work, which of your audiobooks would you point them to?

The Story of Mary Kay: Selling Opportunity by Mary Lisa Gavenas
A Dash of Murder (Myrtle Clover Cozy Mystery Series) by Elizabeth Spann Craig

What do you always have in the booth?

Water, Kleenex, Lip Balm, Vaseline, Notebook, Images of characters in the book I’m recording. Tackboard with a variety of notes. Cat decoration (my scene partner), Occasionally my Corgi, Dusty. Sometimes, coffee.

How did you come to performing audiobooks?

I was doing research for an article I was writing on “Ageism in the workplace” and came across an article in Backstage magazine that talked about how people rarely “age” out of the voice acting industry. I started thinking about my own retirement and looked into what it takes to become a voice actor. Then, I discovered audiobooks, which has become my niche.

Anything else you’d like a listener to know?

I completed my technical training in audiobook production and began marketing myself to independent authors and publishers in 2019. Prior to audiobook narration, I worked as an executive assistant at a large global corporation, where I excelled in problem solving, anticipating needs and contributing to the success of the team. I assisted with ghost writing, proofing and editing internal communications. My meticulous organization skills, reliability and communication expertise translates well to the audiobook industry. I am an astute observer of human behavior. Traveling internationally and domestically, facilitating corporate events lended a hand in capturing inspiration to create characters.

Growing up, I was a latchkey kid. I learned discipline and responsibility while my mom worked as a surgical head nurse on the late shift. I inherited my mom’s optimism, empathy and tenacity. During high school, I met my husband, Rick. We have a daughter and three grand-daughters, all of whom learned how to empower themselves and become independent young women. I enjoy watching baseball, football and basketball with my husband. As well as watching the latest suspenseful psychological thriller and horror movies. We both enjoy planning future cross-country travels in an RV and are contemplating nomadic living for a couple of years since I retired from my corporate job.

My husband and I have made our home in the quaint town of Magnolia, Texas just northwest of Houston with our German Shepherd mix named Luke, and our Corgi named Dusty. They may not speak English, but they hang on every word she says.

Favorite quote: Though she be but little, she is fierce. (That’s me!)