NON-FICTION
AUDIOBOOKS & VO
AudioFile Magazine says about SOMEWHERE BEYOND THE SEA: "EARPHONES AWARD WINNER! Narrator Daniel Henning brings his signature versatility, emotional connection, and perfect comedic timing to the latest in the acclaimed Cerulean Chronicles series."
“Daniel Henning’s animated performance provides the perfect splash of drama and drollness…. An engaging storyteller, Henning masters a diverse range of character voices, especially his entertaining Scooby-Doo-esque voice for Chauncey, an adorable gelatinous creature who dreams of becoming a hotel bellhop… Henning’s articulate, earnest narration winningly underscores Somewhere Beyond the Sea’s central themes of self-confidence, kindness, acceptance of others and the importance of working for sociopolitical reform.”
-BookPage
“The moment I heard Daniel’s voice for Nurse Ratched, I knew I had found the voice for her and all the other characters. What should have been an impossible ask – playing a feminine nursing machine who is a sociopath while also somehow maintaining a heart of gold – proved to be just another day in the life of Daniel Henning. We are all so much better off that he exists.”
-TJ KLUNE, NY Times bestselling author of
In the Lives of Puppets and The House in the Cerulean Sea, on Libro FM’s podcast
"Narrator Daniel Henning does a PHENOMINAL JOB of capturing Gio’s fatherliness and Vic’s early naivete, and he POSITIVELY SHINES as the heartless, bloodthirsty Nurse Ratched and the anxiety-ridden robot vacuum Rambo." —Library Journal
"Narrator Daniel Henning demonstrates perfect comedic timing and impressive vocal versatility in this queer/sci-fi retelling of "Pinocchio." This laugh-out-loud, emotional audiobook asks listeners to question what it means to be human."
-AudioFile Magazine
The Critics are Raving!
“Henning MASTERFULLY CAPTURES the cast of eclectic characters."
ALA Booklist - The House in the Cerulean Sea
"Listeners will alternately cackle with glee and gasp in sympathy throughout Henning’s virtuoso performance of Rudnick’s immersive, sexy tragicomedy. ESSENTIAL LISTENING.”
Beth Farrell, Library Journal - Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style
“This is a TRULY POWERFUL NARRATION by the versatile Daniel Henning. Henning's voice offers the perfect blend of sarcasm and tenderness while delivering the story's many highs and lows.”
AudioFile Magazine – Speech Team
“And while it’s filled with androids and other robots, there’s a theatricality to the story compounded by the bevy of voices narrator Daniel Henning breaks out in his performance – and that really BREATHES LIFE INTO THE NARRATIVE.”
Audible – "Best of the Year" In the Lives of Puppets
“Daniel Henning's UPLIFTING PERFORMANCE brings out the best in this audiobook. Henning has a delightful feel for the content, capturing mischievous grins as secretly gay writers manage to slip "insider" jokes into mainstream shows.”
AudioFile Magazine – Gays on Broadway
“For listeners eager for an emotional rollercoaster full of laughter and heartache, Daniel Henning’s narration of In the Lives of Puppets demonstrates PERFECT COMEDIC TIMING and impressive vocal versatility in this queer/sci-fi retelling of “Pinocchio.”
AudioFile Magazine - In the Lives of Puppets
“HENNING REVELS IN A CORNUCOPIA OF CHARACTERS, diving into nuanced voices and colorful moments with accents and growls, tone shifts and whispers.”
AudioFile Magazine - The House in the Cerulean Sea
.png)
Non Fiction & Fiction SAMPLES are below
WATCH - Penguin Random House's Ahab Breakdown
READ - The Michigan Daily interview of Daniel
on audiobooks and inclusion
NON FICTION
Guinness' story is about Daniel at age 12. Listen to Daniel's memoir sample for more fun
FICTION
REVIEWS
AUDIE AWARD FINALIST
"Daniel Henning is a great narrator for this quirky and theatrical audiobook. Henning revels in a cornucopia of characters, diving into nuanced voices and colorful moments with accents and growls, tone shifts and whispers. The contemporary touches keep the story humorously timely, and Henning's delivery is welcoming or satirical when necessary. Some characters are so well developed through Henning's vocal stylings that they inspire laugh-out-loud moments. "
Audiofile Magazine Review (June 2020) of The House in the Cerulean Sea
"Daniel Henning provides nimble, versatile narration, clearly having fun voicing a variety of magical creatures."
Library Journal review of The House in the Cerulean Sea
"Henning gives Douglas a somewhat flat and emotionless portrayal to start with, but as Douglas's week of freedom progresses, Henning's performance gains emotional depth and nuances. The final moments are TRULY HEARTRENDING as Douglas realizes the enormity of the choice he faces and Henning pours grief, fear, and hope into his performance."
Audiofile Magazine Review of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Henning expertly portrays Kozlov's arrogance and smugness while also showcasing how he changes in the U.S. Henning also creates a wide range of believable supporting characters--both Russian and American. This quick listen encompassing all three parts of the trilogy is ENGAGING AND ENJOYABLE.
Audiofile Magazine Review of The Spy Who Vanished
Theater historians will applaud Daniel Henning's winning performance as Henning's narration turns theatrical minutiae into an exciting story… delivers meticulous accounts of theatrical and literary luminaries. From Provincetown to New York's Greenwich Village, Henning highlights a group of free-thinking artists who changed the face of the American theater forever. FIRST-RATE LISTENING.
Audiofile Magazine Review of Staging America
AUDIOFILE EARPHONES AWARD
"A surprisingly delightful audiobook... a compelling listening experience. Part of the credit goes to Daniel Henning's lively narration. He animates this fascinating collection of stories and scientific studies at a steady pace and gives a nuanced performance."
Audiofile Magazine Review (Feb 2021) of The Journeys of Trees
SOVAS VOICE ARTS AWARD NOMINEE
"Performed with grace and care, Daniel Henning's outstanding narration of this fine biography reveals, warts and all, the larger-than-life James Beard. Henning narrates with intelligence at a good pace, and he gives the elegant prose its due. This is an audiobook filled with luscious descriptions of places, meals, and people."
Audiofile Magazine Review (March 2021) of The Man Who Ate Too Much
"Daniel Henning's wry tone and suspenseful pacing match the high stakes of Sass's adventurous island mystery. Henning builds tension as secrets and murder throw the island into chaos. Through humor, honesty, and deft characterizations, Henning heightens the fear and hope in Sass's narrative as painful and profound moments reflect Connor's growing self-confidence as a leader."
Audiofile Magazine Review (January 2021) of Surrender Your Sons
"Henning has just the right touch of humor and enthusiasm... this lively recording is as entertaining as it is informative."
ALA Booklist Review (Dec 2020) of A Walk Around the Block
"Listeners might chuckle along as Daniel Henning gives voice to Spike Carlson's indignant feelings about a frozen water line. Henning's tone of self-deprecation might strike a chord with listeners as Carlson discovers he doesn't know how water gets to his faucets... Henning brings listeners into Carlson's feelings of confidence, then embarrassment, as his recycling habits are audited. Henning becomes an energetic candidate as Carlson puts forth a tree's campaign speech, proving its value."
Audiofile Magazine Review (Dec 2020) of A Walk Around the Block
"Daniel Henning gives a compelling narration of this dark fantasy novella. Henning fully commits to this tale, providing a nearly breathless and deliciously evil-sounding narration while also developing unique voices and presenting surprisingly layered characters. The story is well served by Henning's theatrical performance."
Audiofile Magazine Review (2019) of The Monster of Elendhaven
"Easy on the ear, Henning sounds interested and educational; he entertains by highlighting the material presented without calling unnecessary attention to his delivery. The result is a lively production that will stick with listeners..."
Audiofile Magazine Review (Feb 2020) of Secondhand
"QUICK PITCH" BIO
Here's a little bit about me
I’m Daniel Henning and I’ve been a storyteller my whole life.
I was born in Oakland, CA. At age 4, I started acted in theatre and movies including the classic The Black Stallion.
I went to NYU, got a BFA in Drama, graduated Circle in the Square Theatre School, and American Conservatory Theatre where my teacher was Annette Bening.
I moved to LA and founded The Blank Theatre and our Young Playwrights Festival which is the only nationwide competition for playwrights 9 to 19 that culminates in professional performances. NY Times bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo, creator of Shadow and Bone, was a winner at 17.
I have awards from the LA Drama Critics Circle, NAACP, BackStage, LA Weekly and many others for my Producing, Directing and Writing. Those skills are with me every moment I am in the booth.
I am a NY Times Bestselling Audiobook Narrator for TJ Klune's Somewhere Beyond the Sea and was thrilled to be an Audie Finalist for Fantasy with The House in the Cerulean Sea. I have sixteen SOVAS Voice Arts Award nominations and am also a six-time Earphones Award winner.
I was recognized by the California State Legislature as a Pride Honoree for forwarding LGBTQ Equality and inspiring thousands of young artists.
When I was growing up there were three books about gay people you might find in the local library, if you lived in CA. I love telling our stories. I am honored to lend my voice to help other queer people hear that their lives are valuable.
I’m lucky to have recorded over 250 audiobooks for PRH, Harper, Simon & Schuster, Recorded Books, Macmillan, Hachette, Dreamscape, Audible, Brilliance, Tantor/Ascent/Highbridge. 70% non-fiction in Biography/Memoir, Business, Mindfulness, Russian History, LGBTQ, and many others, and in Fiction LGBTQ (fiction & romance), teen/YA, Fantasy, SciFi. And I’m open to explore any other genres you think I might be right for.
I think my strength as a narrator is bringing buoyancy to text and giving even the most dry material some life to it. One of my favorite producers told me that I bring “joy” to everything I do. I hope I live up to that.
I have a home studio with a Whisper Room in LA. I have a very good ear for accents, and although I am not fluent, I have intensely studied both French and Russian. And I am a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.
Oh, and one last thing, when I was 12 years old, Sir Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) made me promise never to see Star Wars again. And then wrote about that incident in his final memoir. So if you’ve ever heard the story, which I’m told is famous world-wide, you now know the fella that story is about. And I have the autograph to prove it.
Thanks for your time.