I like my characters complicated.
WHO I’M A FIT FOR:
Deeply human Black girls and women with rich interior lives. Teens coming into themselves. Grown women becoming, unbecoming, starting over, falling in love, getting it wrong, getting it right and trying again and again.
The girls trying to figure themselves out. The grown women who thought they already had. The funny ones. The anxious ones. The determined ones. The tender ones. The ones making questionable choices for all sorts of reasons. The ones carrying family, history, heartbreak, faith, secrets, goals, desire and more often than not? All of that at once.
I know that terrain all too well and love digging deeper into it. But I'm always curious about what else this voice can do.
Give me good writing, a character with something going on underneath, and somewhere interesting to go. I'll meet you in the booth with some ginger tea and my SONY headphones in tow.
VITALS:
40+ audiobooks narrated
Genres: literary fiction, historical fiction, romance, YA, children’s, religious non-fiction
Recognition: Kirkus Earphones Award (Kin by Tayari Jones), Kirkus ‘Behind The Mic’ Podcast (Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez), Audible Best Audiobooks Books 2026, Apple Best Audiobooks 2026
Demos/Samples
Working out a particular kind of “Southern Belle” accent. Had a lot of fun narrating Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s Happy Land.
Testimonials
“When I heard your audition tape, I knew you were the one. 😍😍”
“Working with Ashley is such a delight. Her voice carries forth relatable characters lending a realism and contemporary sound to audiobooks. She commits herself to best serving the text, eagerly incorporating direction with ease, seeking the author’s intention and thorough understanding of the story and genre. With relaxed tones and affable humor, Ashley’s narration flows with a genuine sound lifting the text from the page.”
“Ashley Hobbs narrated my debut novel, Little Movements, with precisely the energy and ease the book required. Her voice and tone immediately felt aligned with the book’s protagonist—crisp and engaging, though overwrought or excessive in any way. Ashley effortlessly brought my wild cast of characters to life—no easy feat considering the diversity of the cast, the nuance of the language (from regional particularities to dance terminology), and the sheer amount of dialogue. Friends continue to reach out and tell me how much they’ve enjoyed the audiobook, and I have no doubt that her warm, welcoming voice will capture the attention of anyone lucky enough to hear her on a project.”
“Ashley recorded her first audiobook with me and I was blown away by the raw emotion and vulnerability she brought to that performance. After working with her for several months as a mentee and seeing how seriously she treats the craft and the text, I am in a place where I can heartily recommend her to authors and producers. She brings such a deep level of care to each recording and I don’t think you’ll find a more dedicated and compelling storyteller.”
“It was a pleasure to work with Ashley on Cloud of Witnesses. The authentic tone and humanity which she brings to all her performances added much-needed warmth and approachability to centuries-old prayers and meditations. Ashley delivered everything we asked, and more, with fast turn-around and high quality. Her communication was professional, clear, and helpful. We put her on our short list for future projects and so should you! ”
“Ashley brings an incredible blend of professionalism, creativity, and dedication to her work. Her ability to breathe life into a story, capture the nuances of each character, and maintain consistency across even the most demanding productions makes her a true asset to any project.
What sets Ashley apart is not just her technical skill as a narrator, but her collaborative spirit. She approaches each project with enthusiasm and care, always open to feedback and invested in achieving the best possible outcome. Working with her feels like a genuine partnership, and the results speak for themselves, her performances consistently elevate the listening experience and leave a lasting impact on listeners.”
