MEDIA KIT
OVERVIEW
Cindy Kay is an audiobook narrator trusted by publishers to handle complex projects with precision, emotional depth, and seamless delivery. Since 2019, Cindy has narrated over 450 audiobooks and worked with publishers including Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Tantor, Recorded Books, and Blackstone.
Date Launched: 2019
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Press Contact: cindy@cindykayvo.com
PRESS
Behind the Mic podcast features for:
These Violent Delights, by Chloe Gong, Tuesday, March 16, 2021
https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/podcast/eed7a89a-8524-11eb-85d4-8fa25c0a0bcc/
There’s No Such Thing as an Easy Job, by Kikuko Tsumura, Polly Barton (trans), Wednesday, June 23, 2021
https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/podcast/ef335152-d03f-11eb-9826-4b29567ca1ba/
A Banquet for Cecilia, by Julie Leung, Friday, May 9, 2025
https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/podcast/66ac1594-3487-11ef-8ed2-032417cac87a/
Light from Uncommon Stars, by Ryka Aoki, Friday, December 17, 2021
https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/podcast/ba81bd0a-59fa-11ec-9ead-c715a7d59505/
A Royal Conundrum: The Misfits, Book 1, by Lisa Yee, Wednesday, January 31, 2024
https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/podcast/751a5c8e-b5a3-11ee-91b7-5f798c04b896/
Water Moon, by Samantha Sotto Yambao, Tuesday, January 14, 2025
https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/podcast/5a98f18c-3487-11ef-8ed2-5b935bb04baf/
The Night of Baba Yaga, by Akira Otani, Sam Bett (Trans), Thursday, August 1, 2024
https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/podcast/9275124c-b5a3-11ee-91b7-df5920edd6a4/
The Mike Lenz VO Podcast, episode 112, Cindy Kay Interview
https://mikelenzvopodcast.com/#episodes
Audiobook Lovin’ Podcast: S5Ep7,
www.vivianaenchantressofbooks.com/2023/12/audiobook-lovin-podcast-s5-ep7-narrator.html
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
Audie Awards:
Audie Award, 2024 Romance, The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren. Narrated by Cindy Kay and Jonathan Cole, Simon & Schuster Audio
Audie nomination, 2023 Fiction, The Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford. Narrated by Jennifer Lim, Cindy Kay, Mirai, Natalie Naudus, Sura Siu, Emily Woo Zeller, Nancy Wu, and Jamie Ford, Simon & Schuster Audio
Earphones Awards:
(Biography & Memoir) Given Away (2021) Audible Studios, written by Glenn Morey and Julie Morey (narrated along with Jeena Yi, Allison Hiroto, James Chen, and Glenn Morey)
(Science Fiction) Light from Uncommon Stars (2021) Macmillan Audio, written by Ryka Aoki
(Biography & Memoir) Tastes Like War (2021) Dreamscape, written by Grace M. Cho
(Fiction) A History of Wild Places (2022), Simon & Schuster Audio, written by Shea Earnshaw (narrated along with Carlotta Brentan, Cassandra Campbell, Gibson Frazier, and Pete Simonelli)
(Children) Finally Seen (2023), Simon & Schuster Audio, written by Kelly Yang
(Fiction) Banyan Moon (2023), Harper Audio, written by Thao Thai (narrated with Catherine Ho and Elyse Dinh)
BIO
Hi, I’m Cindy Kay. I’m an audiobook narrator trusted by publishers to handle complex projects with precision, emotional depth, and seamless delivery.
Originally from the Bay Area in Northern California, my path to audiobook narration unfolded through a deep love of literature.I earned my PhD in Comparative Literature — training that taught me how to zoom in to individual stories while seeing them within the larger context of language, culture, and history.
After completing my doctorate, I spent over 12 years as a university professor, still surrounded by books, but not yet fully inside them.
During that time, I discovered audiobooks at my local library and couldn’t stop listening. Around the same period, I volunteered to read aloud to children who learn best through listening, including kids with ADHD and autism. When someone said to me, “You know you can get paid for this, right?” everything clicked.
The audiobooks I loved consuming were exactly what I was meant to create.
I trained deeply, let go of the “shoulds”, and found a place where immersion and expression meet. A space where stories move beyond the page and into the ears of listeners around the world.
Since 2019, I’ve narrated over 450 audiobooks and worked with publishers including Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Tantor, Recorded Books, and Blackstone.
Clients come to me for a smooth audiobook process that takes projects off their plate and moves them forward with peace of mind.
I prepare every book as both a reader and a listener, studying the full arc before diving into character, emotion, and pacing.
Then when I step into the booth, I let the story take over. One project might involve running toward freedom, another traveling between galaxies, another trying desperately not to fall in love. Each character asks for something different so I meet them where they are.
Finally, I deliver the fully-finished audiobook where authors hear their story come alive. Weeks, months, or years later, I still hear from listeners about its impact; It’s storytelling as time travel, and it’s one of the great joys of what I do.
My work has been recognized with an Audie Award in Romance for Christina Lauren’s The Love Experiment, six Earphones awards, and numerous positive reviews in a variety of publications, including AudioFile magazine and ALA.
When I step into my custom booth with my microphone, the space transforms into a storytelling portal I enter the moment I press record.
My background in comparative literature shapes how I work. My goal is to honor every line as the author intended.
As I always say, “showing up for the character honestly and earnestly is the work.”
That mindset allows me to approach every genre the same way: grounded, present, and emotionally true. I don’t perform the story. I inhabit it.
Whether working with publishers on tight timelines under high pressure or over many weeks with indie authors on bespoke productions, I move projects forward with calm, reliable momentum.
I believe every story deserves to be carried beyond the page and into the hearts of those who hear it - offering moments of calm, escape, and connection through sound.
If you’re ready to bring your story into the ears of listeners, I’d love to help.
MEDIA ASSETS
PUBLISHERS & PARTNERS
TESTIMONIALS
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“Cindy Kay sweeps listeners away in this memorable and otherworldly story. Kay’s narration balances this story that alternates between dreaming and thrilling, carrying listeners on a great adventure.”
“Narrator Cindy Kay voices the protagonist, as well as secondary characters ranging from haughty royalty to lowly estate workers. She’s particularly effective at animating the many male characters. Kay doesn’t give anything away before the story does, making the twists all the more impressive. Her performance results in a spine-tingling production.”
“Kay seamlessly transitions between the gritty back alleys of Bangkok and the opulent auction houses of New York City. Kay heightens the suspense, making the listener feel every twist and turn in this heart-pounding debut.”
“Cindy Kay’s dynamic tone and pacing are spot-on as she narrates the increasingly over-the-top escapades.”
“Cindy Kay gives an eloquent and dignified narration.”
“Kay’s fresh perspective and warm narrative style makes this a truly captivating audiobook. From her steady pacing to her expertly timed breaths and pauses, Kay creates a sense of anticipation that drives the story to its surprising conclusion.”
“Cindy’s perfectly controlled voice thrums with tension, revealing the desperation and rage lying beneath seemingly calm exteriors.”
“Kay’s gentle and well-modulated voice lends itself to the intimate nature of the stories.”
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“You did my girl such justice!!!”
“Cindy Kay is fantaaaaastic. The book comes to life in her reading.”
“Thank you for your BEAUTIFUL narration!”
“I thought you read the book SO well with such passion and interest. I couldn’t imagine it sounding better. I was so drawn in, and I think that was your voice for fiction, which was what I was hoping for…To have you read it just the way I had hoped was amazing! Thank you so so much.”
“Cindy, if your ears were buzzing on Saturday, it was because we were raving about your audiobook work!”
“I didn’t make it easy with multiple POV shifts, accent changes, different languages altogether—even Cantonese vs. Mandarin. I knew I would be leaning heavily on you to make the audiobook sing. But OMG, what a job you did! There have been so many raves about your narration, Cindy. Thank you!”
“If you wanna see people at the top of their game, then look no further than Cindy Kay.”
“Cindy’s reading and performance of this text is absolutely amazing! She did more than bring the characters and text to life. She allowed the whole work to sing.”
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“You were AMAZING! You made it seem easy to portray a woman who is a teenager in part of the book and an adult in the rest! You could hear the character growth in your voice.”
“Cindy Kay’s performance elevates the listen to its next tier of transcendence.”
“I LOVE listening to you read me to sleep at night.”
“My God woman! You are a master!”
“The narration managed to make the story feel intimate and moody, and Cindy was masterful adjusting between timelines.”
“I absolutely adore your narration. Your subtle, thoughtful reading of this strange and delicate text is moving and invigorating. I am so grateful for your work on this and various other texts.”
“Cindy brought a particular addictive energy to it. I quite literally couldn’t put it down. Amazing job.”
“Cindy Kay was freaking flawless and fantastic.”
FUN FACTS
PhD in comparative literature
Knows how to change my own oil
Lived in five time zones in the USA
Worked as a TV news presenter in Bangkok
Former aerobics instructor and personal trainer
Still planning to learn how to play drums one of these days
Hates leaving the house unless there’s a walk or food on offer
Not allowed to use the good knives, but makes a mean cioppino
Behind every narration is a deeper conversation about storytelling, voice, and craft.
If you’re looking to feature, interview, or collaborate, I’d be delighted to be part of it.