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How to Create an Audiobook: Guide for Authors

Nov 13, 2023 | audiobooks, publishing, Uncategorized

audiobook recording

The audiobook market is vast, and growing: a $1.8 billion dollar industry. About half of all Americans have listened to an audiobook at some point, according to Publishers Weekly (https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/audio-books/article/92444-the-audiobook-market-and-revenue-keeps-growing.html).

As an author, you don’t have to publish an audiobook, but weigh the pros and cons carefully. It could be a useful, and lucrative, companion to your ebook and paperback.

Creating and marketing an audiobook for your book can be a rewarding endeavor, and it can help you reach a wider audience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create and distribute an audiobook:

A Step by Step Guide to Creating an Audiobook:

  1. Prepare Your Book: Ensure your book is well-edited and polished. Consider making any necessary revisions to improve the audiobook experience.
  2. Narration: Decide whether you’ll narrate the book yourself or hire a professional narrator. Narration is a critical aspect of audiobooks, and a skilled narrator can greatly enhance the listening experience.
  3. Recording: If you choose to narrate yourself, you’ll need to set up a quiet recording space, invest in a good microphone, and use audio recording software. If you hire a narrator, they will take care of this.
  4. Editing and Post-Production: After recording, your audio will need editing to remove background noise, correct mistakes, and ensure a consistent sound quality.
  5. Audiobook Cover: Create a captivating cover image for your audiobook. It should be distinct from your print or e-book cover and visually represent the audiobook’s content.
  6. Audio Quality: Ensure high audio quality with professional sound editing to meet the standards set by audiobook platforms.
  7. Formatting: Format your audiobook according to the specifications of the platforms where you intend to publish it (e.g., ACX for Audible).
  8. Distribution: Decide where you want to distribute your audiobook. Popular platforms include Audible, Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play. You can use ACX to distribute to Audible and other Amazon platforms.

 

Using Amazon to Distribute Your Audiobook:

Amazon owns about half the audiobook market, so that’s the best place to start for new authors. ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) is a platform owned by Amazon that allows authors and publishers to create and distribute audiobooks on platforms like Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get your book on Amazon through ACX:

  1. Create an ACX Account:
  • Go to the ACX website (acx.com) and create an account. You’ll need an Amazon account as well.
  1. Add Your Title:
  • Click “Add Your Title” on your ACX dashboard to start the process.
  1. Enter Book Details:
  • Provide details about your book, such as title, author name, genre, and keywords.
  1. Production Information:
  • Indicate whether your audiobook is already produced or if you need to find a narrator/producer on ACX.
  1. Production Options:
  • If you need a narrator/producer, you can post your project as a “Public Project” for auditions or search for a specific narrator/producer.
  1. Distribution:
  • Choose between exclusive distribution with Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, or non-exclusive distribution to other retailers.
  1. Offer a Royalty Share or Pay Per Finished Hour (PFH):
  • You can pay a narrator/producer per finished hour (PFH) or offer a royalty share, where the narrator receives a percentage of the audiobook’s earnings. Keep in mind that royalty share can be an attractive option for narrators if you’re confident in your audiobook’s sales potential.
  1. Audition and Selection:
  • If you’re looking for a narrator/producer, you can listen to auditions and make your selection. It’s crucial to find a narrator whose voice and style match your book.
  1. Production and Review:
  • Work closely with the chosen narrator/producer throughout the recording and production process. Ensure the audio meets ACX’s quality standards.
  1. Submission:
  • Once the audiobook is finished and approved, submit it to ACX for review.
  1. Review and Approval:
  • ACX will review the audiobook to ensure it meets their quality standards. This can take a few weeks.
  1. Distribution:
  • If your audiobook is approved, it will be distributed to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

ACX Royalties Explained:

Amazon ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) offers two primary royalty options for audiobook creators, authors, and narrators: “Royalty Share” and “Pay for Production” (also known as “Per Finished Hour” or PFH). These options determine how earnings are distributed among the author, the narrator/producer, and ACX. Here’s an explanation of each:

  1. Royalty Share:
  • Royalty Split: With this option, both the author (rights holder) and the narrator/producer share in the audiobook’s royalties.
  • Distribution: The audiobook is typically exclusive to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes for seven years, which means it’s not available on other platforms during this period.
  • Earnings: Royalties are split between the rights holder (usually the author) and the narrator/producer, with each receiving 20% of the audiobook’s net sales revenue.
  • Example: If the audiobook sells for $20, and the net revenue (after Audible’s distribution fee) is $10, both the author and the narrator/producer would receive $2 each from that sale.
  • Advantages: This option can be attractive to authors who may not want to invest a lot upfront or those with limited recording skills, as they can share the production costs and risk with the narrator/producer.
  • Considerations: Royalty Share is a long-term commitment, and earnings may be lower per sale. Additionally, if the audiobook doesn’t sell well, both the author and the narrator/producer will see reduced income.
  1. Pay for Production (PFH):
  • Payment to Narrator/Producer: With PFH, the author pays the narrator/producer a set fee per finished hour of the audiobook. The payment is typically agreed upon before production begins.
  • Distribution: The audiobook can be distributed as an exclusive title or non-exclusively, depending on the author’s choice.
  • Earnings: After the production costs have been covered (i.e., the narrator/producer is paid for their work), the remaining audiobook royalties go to the author.
  • Example: Let’s say the author agrees to pay the narrator/producer $200 per finished hour, and the audiobook is 10 hours long. The total payment to the narrator/producer would be $2,000. Once this is paid, the author receives the remaining royalties from sales.
  • Advantages: PFH provides more control for the author, as they pay for the production upfront and then keep all the earnings from audiobook sales after the costs are recouped. This can be a better option for authors who anticipate high sales and want to maximize their earnings.
  • Considerations: Upfront costs can be significant, and the author is responsible for finding the budget to pay the narrator/producer. The risk lies with the author, as the audiobook must earn enough to cover the production costs before the author starts making a profit.

In summary, Amazon ACX offers flexibility in royalty options, allowing authors and narrators to choose the one that best suits their needs and goals. The right choice depends on your financial situation, sales expectations, and the level of control and risk you are comfortable with in the production and distribution of your audiobook. It’s important to carefully consider your options and negotiate terms with narrators or authors to ensure a fair and mutually beneficial arrangement.