Audiobooks
Audiobooks are an exciting and growing medium to reach a whole new audience of book lovers. Whether they’re commuting, working out, or simply multitasking, busy readers can still enjoy your book on the go. If you’re ready to expand your fanbase through audiobooks, let’s get started!
Our goal is simple: to help you turn your book into a professionally produced audiobook that reaches listeners worldwide. But how? Every author’s journey is unique, and there are three different paths based on your needs. Below, we’ll explore each option, breaking down the pros and cons of each.
Whether you choose to self-record, work with a sound engineer, or use a professional voice, we’re here to help you create an audiobook you can be proud of.
Let’s bring your book to life!
Self-Recording (DIY)
Recording your audiobook yourself might seem like a great way to save money – if you’ve got the right equipment and experience, it could be! But for many authors, the process can be overwhelming and not as cost-effective as expected.
Pros
- Potentially the cheapest option, depending on your equipment and voicing skills.
- You control the recording schedule and work at your own pace.
- You keep all the royalties, with no need to share them with producers, narrators etc.
Cons
- Without the right equipment and setup, it can quickly become expensive.
- Creating a professional sound environment (e.g., soundproofing) is often necessary and costly.
- ACX and other platforms have strict audio standards, which can be difficult to achieve without experience.
- Without a Sound Engineer, you might spend the time and money on equipment, only to ultimately find you need to re-record due to a poor quality recording.
Most in the industry advise against self-recording for these reasons, but if you’re set on giving it a go, we’re here to help! Whether you need advice on equipment, guidance on acoustics, or feedback on your recordings, we’re just a message away.
We also offer mastering services to bring your self-recorded files up to ACX standards. Mastering costs £70 + VAT per hour, but the total time depends on the quality of the original files. Reach out for a personalized quote!
Recording with a Sound Engineer
If you’d like the best of both worlds – reading your own book while getting professional support – renting a studio with a sound engineer could be your solution.
At Narratable, our sound engineers bring over 20 years of experience to guide you through the process, ensuring your audiobook sounds professional.
Pros
- Our sound engineer handles the technical side, so you can focus solely on your narration.
- No need to invest time and money in recording equipment, environments, or software.
- Real-time editing means your audiobook is completed faster, with fewer delays in post-production.
- You keep all the royalties.
Cons
- First-time narrators may find the process challenging, leading to longer (and more expensive) recording sessions.
- Fiction with multiple characters can be difficult for untrained voices to manage.
If this sounds right for you, check out our Studio Hire section for more details. You can book our studio, complete with a sound engineer, for £70 + VAT per hour.
Using a Narratable Voice
If you’d rather leave the narration to a professional, we’ve got you covered. Our experienced in-house voices, alongside our experienced sound engineers, ensure a top-quality audiobook ready for distribution. This option is charged on a “Per-Finished-Hour” basis, which means you pay for the final length of your audiobook, not the time spent recording.
Pros
- High-quality narration by a professional voice actor, overseen by an experienced sound engineer.
- No need to invest time and money in recording equipment, environments, or software.
- Your audiobook will be ready to publish on the platform of your choice.
- You keep all the royalties.
Cons
- It may be more expensive than the other two options.
If you’re interested in using one of our professional narrators, visit our Narratable Voice section for more details and availability.
Let’s bring your book to life!
Whether you choose to self-record, work with a sound engineer, or use a professional voice, we’re here to help you create an audiobook you can be proud of.
Let's Talk
about narrating your next bestseller.