What You Need to Know about Recording Audiobooks
Some authors choose to narrate their audiobooks themselves, while others would benefit from working with a professional voice actor. Here are some tips on who is a good fit for author narration.
How to prepare
It’s always a good idea to read your book out loud before recording an audiobook, because the mic will pick up the sound of pages rustling. Instead, practice reading from a tablet or laptop.
Recording in the Studio
If you don’t have a tablet, Davis Sound can provide one. Always read from an electronic device to minimize page noise. Read at a natural, conversational pace. Tone changes can’t always be fixed in editing and lower the quality of your narration.
Time Required for Recording
Plan on 1.8 x 9, or around 16 hours of studio time for a 9-hour audiobook (some authors record faster, but it’s best to be conservative). Limit your recording sessions to 2.5-3 hours per day to keep editing to a minimum and voice quality consistent.
Cost for Producing an Author-Narrated Audiobook
Some authors believe that recording their own audiobooks will save them money; the cost of producing an author-narrated audiobook is usually around $350 per finished hour of audio, depending on the total word count of the book.
Conclusion
It may make sense for an author to narrate their own audiobook for some books; however, the narration quality may not be as good as that of a professional voice actor, and there is no cost benefit due to the increased time and labor of a self-narrated book.
What is the best way to record an audiobook?
The best option is to hire a professional recording studio; because the process of recording the narration takes twice as long as the finished book, a 40,000-word book would require 10 hours in the studio, which would cost $1,000 at $100 per hour.
How do I start recording audio books?
What’s the best way to get started?
- Set up a quiet space in your home to record (closets work great)
- Create 1 to 3 audio samples to upload to your ACX profile.
- Start auditioning for available books on ACX and continue doing so until you land your first offer.
Do you need permission to record an audio book?
You must obtain permission from the rights holder, regardless of whether you make money from it (although HarperCollins may be more interested in tracking you down if you are making money). Approaching the publisher is the best way to obtain the rights to produce the audiobook.
What should I do when listening to audiobooks?
Here are twenty non-work-related things to do while listening to audiobooks.
- Knit.
- Do a jigsaw puzzle.
- Stretch.
- Sit on the beach (or the park, your porch, a hammock, etc.)
- Color in a coloring book.
- Play with a fidget spinner (or thinking putty)
Who is the best audiobook narrator?
Audiobook Narrators: 21 Amazing (and Prolific) Voices
- One of my favorite things about audiobooks is how a good narrator can give a character a voice that I would never have imagined myself.
- Cassandra Campbell.
- Orlagh Cassidy.
- Kevin R.
- Dion Graham.
- Holter Graham.
- Jennifer Ikeda.
- JD Jackson.
How can I record an audiobook at home?
In 5 Easy Steps, Here’s How to Record an Audiobook at Home:
- Prepare your manuscript
- this step is simple if you’ve already published your book.
- Decide who will be the narrator.
- Hire an audio editor (if you’re narrating yourself)
- Set up a home recording studio.
- Publish Your Audio Files.
Can I get paid to narrate audiobooks?
Author Roz Morris advises authors to expect to pay around $200 per finished hour for audiobook narration. SUMMARY: If you’re in a union, you can earn more than $100 per hour; otherwise, you can find part-time and full-time salaried work for voice professionals, with pay varying.
Do audiobook narrators get royalties?
A. Most Audiobook Narrators Choose Full-Buyout Over Royalties Most audiobooks are structured as a ‘full-buyout,’ which means you own the entire recording and are not obligated to pay the narrator royalties derived from future sales.
What equipment do I need to listen to audiobooks?
A device: Your phone, an MP3 player, or a tablet (or a Walkman if you’re a purist.) An app: Overdrive, Audible, or LibriVox. A friend who knows audiobooks: No reader is an island.
Can you record yourself reading a book?
While many well-intentioned commentators have warned teachers against doing so, the fact is that copyright lawu2014specifically, fair useu2014allows many read-aloud activities to be done online.
How much does an audiobook narrator make?
NARRATING AUDIOBOOKS PAYS WELL. Even for newcomers, narrating audiobooks is a lucrative line of work. According to Business Insider, voiceover artists just starting out can expect to earn $100 for each hour of completed audio, while industry veterans can earn up to $500.
How do you know what time to listen to audiobooks?
When your u201cto readu201d list is growing faster than you can read it, audiobooks are a great way to pass the time. Here are seven times I listen to audiobooks during the day: 1. While you pursue another hobby.
- While you’re out walking.
- In the shower.
- In the car.
- At bedtime.
- While you’re doing chores.
- While you’re waiting.
- While you’re doing something else.
Can you work and listen to audiobooks?
It’s difficult to find free time to read between work, exercise, kids, and other responsibilities; that’s the beauty of audiobooks! You can connect one to your car via Bluetooth and listen during your commute, or if you have the ability, you can listen to one at work.
Is it good to listen to audiobooks while working out?
Audiobooks can help us exercise for longer periods of time, and they’re also great motivators, especially if you only listen to them while exercising; this carrot-and-stick approach may be enough to get you up and moving when you don’t feel like it.