Finding the Voice of Exalted Objects: An Interactive Audiobook Event

Join History Through Fiction for a special interactive Zoom event celebrating the audiobook of Exalted Objects with author Jane D. Cairns and narrator Alex Corbett Ashby.

On Tuesday, September 22 from 1:00–2:00 PM Central, attendees will step inside the world of audiobook narration and discover how a historical novel moves from page to performance. Before the event, everyone who registers will receive a short excerpt from Exalted Objects along with a simple guide to the basics of narrating audiobook fiction.

During the live session, Alex Corbett Ashby will talk about his narration process, share practical techniques for bringing text to life, and discuss the particular rewards and challenges of narrating Exalted Objects. Jane D. Cairns will join the conversation to reflect on the novel itself—its emotional core, historical atmosphere, and what it means to hear the story interpreted through voice.

This event will also include a playful interactive element: a handful of attendees will be invited to read their excerpts live, giving everyone a chance to hear how differently the same passage can be voiced and felt. The audience will vote for their favorite performance just for fun, and the winner will receive three History Through Fiction audiobooks, including Exalted Objects.

We’ll close with audience Q&A and a few live readings from the novel.

If you love historical fiction, performance, and the craft of storytelling in all its forms, this event offers a rare chance to hear both the author and narrator in conversation while experiencing the creative work of audiobook narration firsthand.