Meet Joe Arden
Joe Arden is more than just a narrator. He’s a storyteller who brings an unabashed sense of raw emotion, intimacy, and memorable intensity to every project he takes on. With over 700 titles on Audible alone and counting, Joe Arden's audiobook performances have become treasured touchstones in the romance and fiction communities.
Joe is especially known for his unique approach of getting right into a character's headspace (and heartspace), which keeps his audiences engaged. He makes you laugh, cry, and fall in love all in one sitting.
His unique style comes from years of stage training and a fearless approach to narration. Whether it's a twisted, dark romance or an easy-breezy rom-com, Joe delivers vulnerability and depth that keeps fans swooning and returning for more. He's not afraid to take bold risks in his performances, earning him a loyal following, plus multiple awards and nominations.
More Than a Voice
While many know him as Joe Arden, the narrator, his talents extend far beyond the microphone. He’s an accomplished author, poet, stage performer, and musician. His first solo published novel, The Chameleon Effect, made waves and was shortlisted by Audible’s editorial staff for the Best Audiobooks of 2022! The book won an Earphones Award and is now among the "Top 100 Romance Audios of All Time."
In 2024, he released Shadow Self, a poetic collection blending over 20 sonnets and 40 haikus with stunning commissioned artwork. Shadow Self’s raw exploration of duality, darkness, and desire made it one of Amazon’s best sellers. That same year, Joe debuted his one-man stage show, My Soul To Take, a creative fusion of literature, personal musings, and theatrical performance that sold out shows along the Eastern seaboard. A second run of shows is slated for Halloween weekend in New Orleans. (Over 300 tickets have already been sold for the two shows.) Page or stage or studio, his passion for storytelling is clear.
The Audio Attic and the Heart of a Community Builder
Joe is passionately dedicated to helping indie authors and amplifying listener voices with his creative hub, The Audio Attic. A Patreon-based home for exclusive content, peeks behind the curtain, and genuine community vibes, The Audio Attic celebrated its fourth anniversary in March 2025. To date, The Audio Attic is an extension of Joe's philosophy that people matter and stories can change lives.
Joe also uses his platforms to promote and celebrate the incredibly talented authors who take a chance on him. It's not unheard of for him to shine a light on a new or upcoming writer he's excited about, share the stage with a respected colleague, or encourage a fan's creative energy.
A Creator in Every Sense
Joe's reach as a creator doesn't end with narration and writing. He also writes and performs original music, like The Rest of Me EP—a six-track project featuring introspective songs with lush vocals that have collected tens of thousands of streams on Spotify. His music taps into the same human emotions as his voice work, exploring themes of love, loss, healing, and identity.
He has also been a coach and mentor to rising voice talent, donating his time and expertise to individuals who may not have access to formal training. Many of his students are now finding their own success in the audiobook world, a testament to his skill and generosity.
Accolades That Matter—and Those That Matter Most
Joe has been nominated for Audie Awards multiple times, earned more than a few Earphones, and had his narration of those same books applauded as “a fully immersive experience” and “unforgettable” in Publishers Weekly.
His work on titles like Butcher & Blackbird and The Ravenhood Trilogy has specifically garnered praise. He even won an Earphones Award for his work on Jescie Hall's That Sik Luv and has been honored with Voice Arts Awards & Independent Audiobook Awards for best Romance narration.
But it’s not just the trophies that mean the most to Joe. It’s the messages he gets from listeners who say his voice helped them through a tough time, the fans who say a performance gave them courage, or made them feel seen. Joe's said a million times before that one heartfelt comment means more to him than an industry award.
Giving Back and Making a Difference
Joe’s passion for people extends far beyond the creative realm. He's a dedicated philanthropist, having donated countless hours, money, and services to organizations such as The Trevor Project, Lift for Autism, QueerVox, and RAINN. He also worked with Miss Wheelchair America on getting access paths installed on Long Beach.
Joe has supported artists through free coaching and seen his items sell for thousands of dollars at charity auctions. Giving back isn’t a side project, it’s part of who he is.
What’s Next?
The momentum isn’t slowing down. Joe is currently co-writing his third full-length novel, Grim, and building another My Soul To Take stage show. In the booth, he’s been making waves in the Paranormal and Romantasy spaces with his wide range of character voices. He's also preparing for Book Club at Sea with Sadie Kincaid, a 3-day cruise where he'll have the opportunity to meet fans and readers in person. January is the anniversary of narrating (or, as the fans call it, #joeuary), and the official Facebook fan group, Arden’s Garden, has grown to 3,500+!
As Joe Arden continues to evolve as an artist, his focus remains the same: telling great stories, elevating others, and using his voice to connect with the world around him.