[hammyhavoc]

They would be a voiceover artist, a storyteller, a voice actor, a narrator, a performer, even an entertainer. Depends whose book it is and if the book already exists to be read from.

Ever heard of radio plays? Audio dramas?

[erksa]

So, if I record myself talking transcribe it into a book and publish it, I would be a performer, narrator or even an entertainer -- but not a writer?

Maybe my point was unclear. If I had no arms, but still managed to publish a book, would I not be considered a writer since I do not have arms?

[hammyhavoc]

You'd likely be a scriptwriter.

It really depends. If someone has someone else ghostwrite them a book (this is super common), are they still a writer? No.

Are they an author? Maybe.

Are they just a brand slapped on the cover to shift units? Yeah, pretty much.