July 9, 2025
Looking for tips on audiobook creation? Are you ready to ramp up your presence as an independent writer? Audiobooks are a popular format that allows readers to walk, work, and drive while being entertained. Turning your book into an audiobook creation allows you to reach a brand new market. It should be the logical next step in your book publishing journey.
The first step in audiobook creation is checking your rights. If you published through a publishing company, the company may hold the rights to reproduce your book in any form. You may not be able to do this without their say-so, and they will probably take control of the production.
If you have a co-author, you’ll have to make sure they’re also on board with audiobook creation.
As an independent writer, you keep full rights to use your book any way you wish. That’s one of the benefits of self-publishing. The only person you must check with is yourself.
Reading a book aloud is different than reading quietly in your head. Before you can read your book for audiobook creation, you must mark up the manuscript to make reading easier. Note the places where the reader should pause, where they should switch to a different voice, and how to pronounce unfamiliar words.
Mark the text directly with your handwritten notes, or use sticky notes. Keep your narrator in mind as you think about ways to make the reading sound fluent and engaging.
Who is going to read your book? There are pros and cons to reading it yourself and to choosing a professional narrator.
Some writers choose to read their works. They feel they know it best, and they aren’t sure another reader would convey their meaning. Some readers prefer to hear their favorite writers read their books. It forges a personal connection between the reader and the writer. It’s also a viable choice for more personal works like poetry or memoirs.
Another plus: You get full creative control and don’t have to split the royalties with anyone. If you work with a professional production company, you may have to defer to their ideas for the audiobook creation.
On the downside, being a good writer doesn’t mean you have the voice or skill to deliver a compelling vocal performance. Your lack of experience may mean you don’t do your book justice.
Another con is that you’ll have to do all the recording, editing, and finishing yourself. This is a laborious process. It can be difficult for newcomers to learn. The frustration may drive you to quit before you finish.
The power of a good narrator can’t be overstated, and sometimes a professional may be the best answer. There’s a reason that Ken Burns always employs the actor Peter Coyote to narrate his documentaries. Coyote delivers a resonant, familiar voice that is integral to the filmmaker’s work. Interestingly, Coyote told an interviewer that he never reads the script before he records it. He delivers that impressive performance from a cold reading.
Book narrators have developed followings in the world of audiobook creation. Their names are sought out by audiobook buyers who enjoy the way they read their favorite writers. For example, Bianca Amato reads many of Philippa Gregory’s books, and book listeners say they look for her name when reading those books.
The same is true of Will Patton, whose voice has become a favorite for buyers of the Dave Robicheaux books by James Lee Burke. Famed U.K. actress Juliet Stevenson has created a second career as a highly regarded narrator of audiobooks.
If you want to record at home, you must use a quiet room that’s far away from echoes, traffic noise, or internal noises like an air conditioner or HVAC system. You’ll also need some basic equipment. At a minimum, you must buy or borrow:
If you prefer to avoid turning your home into a studio or buying equipment, you can rent a recording studio. Look for a studio that includes audiobook creation among its services. They’re more likely to have staffers who know how to record and edit the final product. Most charge hourly, so be sure you’re only going in when you or your narrator is fully prepped and ready to read.
To keep your voice from tiring out, read in 20-minute sessions before taking a break to rest and hydrate. A professional narrator may have their system of breaks they prefer to use. During your recording, check the decibel levels to make sure you’re not whispering or coming across too loud.
Once you wrap up the reading, you must edit the recording. Remove mouth clicks, breathing sounds, mistakes, and moments of dead air. You’ll want to equalize the sound and remove hisses. To guide your editing, use the specifications set by the distributor you’re working with.
Popular free editing tools for podcasters and recording experts include Audacity, Adobe Audition, Hindenburg, and Auphonic.
Editing your recording can take a long time. It’s a labor-intensive procedure that will require hours of work and much diligence. That’s why most experienced authors leave it to the experts.
The recording is done, and your book is ready to reach the ears of eager listeners everywhere. You must now find a distributor. Each channel has its own way of handling royalties. Popular options include:
Start your marketing push before you finish recording and editing. You can offer promos and discounts to your readers, newsletter subscribers, or website visitors. Build anticipation by tracking how the audiobook production is progressing.
Share clips on social media sites, and reach out to bloggers and book influencers. Even a brief mention of your upcoming book will reach a huge audience on these sites. If your budget allows for it, use paid advertising.
As an independent writer, you always want to keep a close eye on your budget. Audiobook creation isn’t cheap, but it can give you a whole new market for book buyers that may make it worth your investment.
Typically, you can expect to spend from $500 to $750 for each finished hour of audio. For a typical five-hour book, your cost could range from $2,500 to $4,000 just for the recording. Editing and polishing the finished product will cost $50 or more per hour. This is a necessary step that will add from $250 to $1,000 to your costs.
If you hire a narrator, add another $50 to $250 for each finished hour. The rate will depend on the narrator’s experience. Hiring a narrator will add $500 and up to the final cost.
Creating an audiobook is a key step in an author’s life. It increases your visibility and market share. It can also create a close connection with your readers.
If you’re looking for help printing your book, check out Publishing Xpress.
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