Coaching & Directing

Individual Coaching: 

For experienced and emerging narrators who want to become more compelling and competitive storytellers, focus on a particular narration need or prepare for an audition. Remote coaching: $200 per hour. In studio: $260

​Director: First Finished Hour:
Audiobook direction (in person NYC only) or remote on your book's first finished hour. Establish character, third-, first-person narrator, accents, or particularly challenging scenes. Jump-start your narration to create a more confident, compelling, competitive performance.  Remote Directing: 1 finished hour (approx. 2 recording hours): $300. In studio: $360 (excludes studio cost).

Author Coaching :

For authors, preparing to read your own audio book can be a daunting task.  This one-on-one coaching will assist in creating your best possible performance. Remote coaching: $200 per hour. 

Author Direction:
In person (NYC only) or remote. 1 finished hour (approx. 2 recording hours): $300. Full book: $300 per finished hour.
Please contact Paul (paulalanruben@gmail.com) to discuss individual coaching and/or directing. Flexible times and dates can be arranged to meet your needs.

​T​estimonials:


      Paul Alan Ruben changed everything about the way I narrate.  I've had the incredible fortune of being directed by Paul for 5 (or 6?) Penguin Random House audiobooks and each one was an extended masterclass.
      I hope he doesn't mind my saying that he WILL push you, and demand (in the kindest way) a better performance than you knew you had in you. He'll gently take away the crutches you cling to as an actor, and he's patient while you flop around on the ground for a bit, learning to walk again.
      And then he'll take away those other crutches you thought you'd hidden so cleverly from him.
      And THEN - well, then, you've just got to trust your gut and fly.
-Eunice Wong 


      The key for me in all my recorded projects is developing a close artistic collaboration with my director. Together we find the critical arcs that elevate the text to its new level of storytelling.
      Paul Ruben has always known how to connect with his talent thereby forging a very fresh and vital platform from which to create audio book “magic."
- Barbara Rosenblat
      Whenever someone asks me for a recommendation for an audiobook director or narrator coach, I always refer them to Paul Ruben. I had the great fortune to take Paul’s Narrator Workshop when I was just starting in the audiobook industry and have been directed by him on a number of audiobook projects since. I still use his techniques and would not have reached the level of success I have as an audiobook narrator without Paul’s guidance and instruction. Paul has a deep understanding of the art of storytelling and gives precise and actable notes. He is a wonderful audiobook director and an excellent teacher. I could not recommend anyone more highly!
- Caitlin Davies
      I would not have the career that I have now if it weren't for Paul Ruben and his invaluable direction and assistance in recording audio books. I credit him for the fact that I won an Audie award for my first full-length audio program, and I will always listen to the little Paul in my head whenever I record. I know of no one in this industry who has been as helpful and as much of a pleasure to work with as Paul Ruben.
- Oliver Wyman
      Paul Ruben had directed and produced many of the very best audiobooks that have consistently won rave reviews and Earphones Awards from AudioFile. Paul’s keen understanding of the elements of storytelling that create fine audiobooks is coupled with his ear for perfect casting. Paul is also devoted to discovering new voices for audiobooks, and teaching actors who have established skills the specific art and craft of audiobook narration.
-Robin Whitten, Publisher,  AudioFile Magazine