OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
I love ACX.com and I am all in with my fiction there, but I'm also a podcaster and after years of doing my own interviews and audio, I decided to read my own non-fiction audiobook, and sell it direct!
Here's how.
Recording the book
I live in a basement flat with pretty good acoustics for audio i.e. no high ceilings or wooden floors, so I knew it would be OK to record here. If you want to record yourself and distribute professionally, you are likely to need a studio, but I went ahead at home and just stopped if it got too noisy.
I am not hugely technical and I didn't want to do much post-processing, so I focused on a quiet background. You can sort out noise in post-production, but ideally, you want a clean read, which is why so many podcasters and audio people record in padded cupboards!
I have a Snowball mic and used Amadeus Pro software on the Mac to record the initial files. You can also use Audacity, GarageBand or whatever free software you have.
I had Scrivener open to the book and read from the screen chapter by chapter. I saved each audio file at around 20 minutes and managed two or three per day.
I actually found it was really tiring to concentrate, plus my voice struggled so I drank a lot of peppermint tea to keep it going. When I made mistakes in the file, which was at least every couple of minutes, I would clap loudly and then be silent for a few seconds. This creates a visible spike and space on the file so you can find the bits to clean up without having to listen to the whole thing again.
Yes, you WILL make mistakes. It is not easy to read a book aloud! I have renewed respect for my audiobook narrators.
I decided to make the audio more interesting by adding my own little comments at the end of some of the chapters, giving the people who bought that version a little extra something. I also found a few bits I wanted to change as I read the book aloud, so I did update the ebook files as I read. It's great to read aloud for that final proof-read!
Editing and QA process
After I finished a couple of 20 minute files, I would edit them in the same software. I removed all the mistakes and silences and gulps and coughs.
I then used Dropbox to send the files to my virtual assistant who listened to the audio to check for any other issues. I left in things that were natural speech but removed clear errors e.g. when I had left the same section in twice, or a little burp from too much tea!
After the QA process and final edits, I put the files together to create six files of one hour each.
I also included an intro and outro little piece of music which makes it sound professional. I get all my royalty free music from Incompetech, an amazing site with loads of music options.
Then I used Auphonic.com to level the sound and add the metadata and tags so it looks nice in your mp3 player.
I decided to package the 6 audio files with the DRM free ebook files in Kindle and ePub formats as the final product. I made the cover on the left with Canva.com, a fantastic tool for creating images.
Selling the file
I've talked about your options for selling direct before.
My choice is to use Selz.com to package the audio files with the ebooks in Kindle and ePub formats.
I also set up a discount code which is in the back of all the ebooks and print books so those who have already bought the book in other formats can also get the audiobook version if they like for $5 reduction. Click here to go straight to the audio sales page on Selz so you can see what it looks like.
Results
In the first 13 days, I've sold 16 audiobooks directly at a total of $305.53, and also 24 copies of the ebook directly at a total of $119.76.
It's not going to buy me a house but it's also not bad for the first couple of weeks and in a direct sales channel that I only introduced recently!
The 24 direct sales of the ebooks may ‘cannibalize' sales from the ebook platforms but I get a closer relationship with my customers and I get the money within a week, instead of waiting a couple of months.
It's early days and I expect Business for Authors to be more of a constant seller, as my book, How to Market a Book, is as well.
The book is mostly evergreen material so I don't expect to have to update it for a while. I'm definitely considering recording my other non-fiction books as well. It is a time investment but I think they will be pretty constant sellers. I'll keep my fiction on ACX.com but for non-fiction, I think I prefer this option (but I reserve the right to change my mind!)
Positive feedback
Here's one happy customer, Henry Hyde:
“What a fantastic resource you have created. I’m really glad I bought the audio version with the extra downloads, and your little asides are lovely, reinforcing how very human and surprisingly humble you are despite your amazing achievements.
I’m going to have to listen to the whole thing again, this time in conjunction with the written version and workbook … My head is buzzing with ideas … I’d recommend this book to anyone running any kind of creative business, not just writers and publishers. A massive round of applause for what is bound to become the go-to reference work in the field.” Henry Hyde
You can listen to a 20 min sample on SoundCloud, or click play below. You can also find out more or buy the audiobook package here.
Update for Dec, 2014 – EU VAT Tax on Digital Products
On 1 Jan, 2015, the EU introduced new VAT tax laws that impact anyone selling digital products to the EU – that includes authors who sell books or courses direct. Essentially, VAT is now calculated based on where the customer is located, NOT where the seller/vendor is located. The tax varies per country and to be compliant, businesses need to collect 2 pieces of evidence proving location. Previously, there was an exemption limit for small businesses but this law gets rid of the limit so anyone selling anything and making any revenue above 0 must pay this VAT. Many of the companies above will help with sorting out this tax information, but many small businesses are pulling down their direct sales – myself included – until the law is revisited for small businesses. For more information, please read this article.
I'd love to hear your comments on this topic. First of all, do you like to listen to audiobooks read by the author? Do you want to try doing this yourself and do you have any questions?
Gowtham Ganni says
Hi Joanna,
How about using text to speech software’s instead of reading ourselves physically. Would it work out? Like lets say there are software’s like naturalreader which would read out the text in word or pdf docs. If we can use them, wouldn’t our work get reduced?
Joanna Penn says
These exist already and are used differently to those who listen to an audiobook for the production quality
ROYA says
hi to all
i want to buy a voice recording and give it to my grand mum for her life history she want make book out of her amazing life but she cant write if i fine a dictaphone that have stop re recording like good old time with cassette
pls help me to know what to do for her ? witch recorder shod i chose that she can add or remove some part from recording
thanks regard
ROYA
Joanna Penn says
Just go to amazon and search for mp3 recorder and you’ll find a ton of options
Teresia Reed says
I use Dragon Naturally Speaking. it allows me to write when I’m speaking and refer back to it later that way everything I say is written down. In fact, I’m writing this comment from Dragon Naturally Speaking. I plan on using it later this year to record more of my father’s stories.
Tejas Sastry says
Hi,
Wouldn’t recording and selling audio books infringe any copyright laws? Do we need to take written permission from copyright owners before recording and selling? Thanks.
Joanna Penn says
This applies to your own work, not other people’s.
Susie Douglas says
Hi
I am in Australia and I want to start my own business reading books for audio books. How should I do this? Are publishers ok with an approach to read for them? Or is there an agency that they use?
Obviously I have an Australian accent so the stories would have to be Australian or New Zealand in origin.
Joanna Penn says
Check out this interview http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/12/13/audiobooks-simon-whistler/ and also the book, Audiobooks for Indies. Check out if you can register as a narrator at ACX, and if not, then lots of people freelance as well.
Edwina Gustafson says
Susie
I am an Australian author with a self-published book which is doing quite well. I now want to turn it into audio. ACX isn’t available for Aussies. Email me at edwina.gustafson@gmail.com if interested to discuss. Thanks.
Sanjay Gupta says
Hi Joanna,
Please help me! I need to create audio book for my book, I am Indian author having 2 books
now and published new book from smashwords but not able to move forward, as ACX is not allowing access for Indian Author, please help!
my book ISBN IS: 978-1943851393
Smashwords: 9781370533954 (FREE Please Read my book and give comments for my writing style)
Thank You,
Sanjay
Patrick says
I would love to narrate your book for you… grahampage628@gmail.com
Joe Kherson says
I am a music producer and recently wrote a novel that I self-published on Amazon. I have to admit that I am a reader and have never actually listened to audio books. I plan to download a few before diving into creating an audiobook myself. What about integrating sound effects like street noise, screeching wheels for a car crash, gunshots, etc. Is that ever done, or might it just get distracting?
Joanna Penn says
That is an audiobook production, which some people do – but audiobooks are usually just a straight read with one narrator.
Karpy says
Great! Nice stuff!
After some research I found some online services that provide audiobook productions. At first I was thinking of narrating my own and then have
http://www.e-audioproductions.com/audio-book-editing do the post production (they have better rates and gave great tips for self recording) but I am thinking of doing a full production with a pro narrator with them now instead. Has anyone had any experience with such services?
Gabriella Kortsch says
Great stuff, Joanna! As always, you never disappoint 🙂
MeritAmen Zulu says
I’m on this page looking for help. I saw your advert while searching said “Free Self-Publishing audiobook”. Just what is needed for me right now. I have a very short children’s book self narrator hour long. It was recorded in a professional studio. I have both the audio & the written manuscript, however I need help in taking it to the next level. Ready to publish & market, can you assist me to accomplishing this process. I had promised Family & Friends that my first book would by published and ready for purchase April, 2017. Would really like to keep that deadline. Hope to hear from you soon.
Joanna Penn says
I definitely didn’t run any adverts on free self-publishing audiobook, so I’m not sure how you got here. In terms of self-publishing your book, this page will help: http://thecreativepenn.com/publishing as I don’t publish anyone else. All the best.
Ruthanne Koyama says
Hi Joanna, thanks for providing this resource. I write about aging and for our aging demographic. (me included at 72). People kept telling me that I should make my books in audio for my readers and I was excited to do so and to better serve and grow my audience but was discouraged when I learned that amazon would not accept mine because I live in Canada. Bruce Jones shared a link to this post and I am grateful he did. While I don’t like to disparage any of the online platforms I am deeply disappointed the amazon picks and chooses who they will allow to use theirs.
charu says
Hi
How can I do audio book …Is there any permission of a specific author to make an audio of their book?
Joanna Penn says
You can only make your own audiobooks of your own work, unless you have a contract for the book you want to work on.
celena wittman says
Thanks, Joanna for posting this and the detailed steps with resources for any of us who may like to try producing an audio book of our work. If I decide to go this route in the future, I now have a great step by step guide.
On a completely different note, I listen to your podcast every Monday and would like to tell you that I love your idea of the bicycle ride you’re planning for authors. I can’t remember where it takes place, but it sounds like fun!
Thanks again.
Celena
Derek says
Wow! Thank you for this article Joanna!
So my question is… if a work is public domain such as a Shakespearian play, would I be able to make an audio recording and sell it? Or offer it for free even?
Joanna Penn says
Yes, from the original Shakespeare but
(a) lots of big publishers do this in amazing editions and those editions sell first as they have the marketing and distribution reach, plus it’s all available for free through things like Project Gutenberg
(b) many people THINK they know Shakespeare because of a film/TV adaptation or live stage play – but you can infringe on an adaptation easily enough and that IS in copyright. So I don’t know why you would do this really – just write something original!
Chung says
Hi, thks for your advice. one question, Should an intro and outro be included in every chapter?
Joanna Penn says
No, you just need it for the beginning and end of the whole book. Best to listen to a few audiobooks first 🙂
Deborah Hemstreet says
I hope you can help me. I have finished recording my book (a memoir). I did it in a studio and paid an engineer for all the work… now I am ready to produce an audiobook and sell it.
I am willing to go through ACX, but I also want to create my own versions that I can give away, or sell on my website, because I can charge less but get more payback than via Audible.
No one tells me HOW to compile the files and distribute them after I HAVE the files done and ready to go. There must be a way to do it, but I’ve spent ages searching and can’t find any SW free or to purchase that will turn my *.mp3 files into an audiobook.
Can you tell me HOW to do it?
Thank you
Joanna Penn says
Hi Deborah,
You just go to ACX and upload the mp3 files as chapters. All the help documentation is on ACX, so go through that – but it’s very easy. You just upload each mp3 chapter and name it, add the description and the cover and choose what contract you want. If you want to sell direct, or on other services, you need to be Non-Exclusive with ACX. https://www.acx.com/help/acx-audio-submission-requirements/201456300
Deborah Hemstreet says
Hi Joanna,
I’ve uploaded to ACX, and am pending audio review.
But this still does not solve my problem of distributing on my own website.
How do I make ALL 76 files (A total of 9.5 hours) available as an AUDIOBOOK to people?
Do I need to combine ALL of the files into one long file? Do I need to combined each section of the book into one file and get it down to 7 files (opening credits, parts 1-5, closing). Again, the mechanical how.
Thanks for telling us about Selz. This looks like a great option. But I need to know HOW to make the physical audiobook outside of ACX.
Many thanks.
Deborah
Joanna Penn says
Hi Deborah, I zip the MP3 files and then load them in batches to SELZ so when people buy them, they download the MP3s and then upload them to their devices. It’s complicated if people aren’t tech-savvy, which is why most sales are on Audible and other apps.
Deborah Hemstreet says
Thanks… I’ll check it out… I guess it is complicated, from what I can see. I can make CDs available to people, or a flashdisk, but otherwise the need the files.
I can’t remember the service, but I found something I wanted to look into that sells the audiofiles as streaming audio via a “PodCast” just in sections. A person buys the book and gains permanent access to the private podcast…. so I guess, no matter what one does, the listener has to have access to the Internet to listen to the book, unless its on a CD, correct?
Deborah
Joanna Penn says
They need access to get the files, but then the buyer can download them to their device or computer and listen offline. So they don’t need to be connected to listen. There are services you can do CDs or thumb drives as well.
Regina says
Narrated my first novel . It’s a great story and I have a great voice. But there was so much to learn doing this for the first time . I hear background knocks and word clips that I didn’t hear earlier. Not a lot but enough not to sell it at the price that Audibles wants to set. Perhaps I can sell my 12 hour files on my own site and take all I’ve learned for a better performance next time. I don’t want to loose trust with my audience. Thanks for giving me hope Joanna. So according to that law you mentioned, I should only try to sell to US citizens which is where I live, correct?
Joanna Penn says
Maybe try podcasting it?
Peter Abraham says
Hi Joanna, this was a truly interesting read. However, with the market of audiobooks growing leaps and bounds, if an individual has the means then its best to hire a professional voice-over artist as this would ensure a higher revenue.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Peter, I have a much longer game plan in mind than immediate revenue 🙂
My voice is my brand and developing loyalty over the long term is part of what I intend to do with my fiction. I’ve done it for non-fiction, so I know it works, and part of that has been my voice. I know the approach is not for everyone – but I think it will work for me since I have been investing in voice marketing for 10 years now.
David says
But you didn’t say how people downloaded and listened to your audiobook…that’s more complicated if not using Audible’s app or similar. Was it a zip file with all the mp3s inside and they had to figure out how to get it on their mobile devices? I’m debating about this now since we are selling direct in addition to all the platforms. You could give a link to a private soundcloud playlist for those who want to stream. That would be way easier for them. But, I’ve occasionally run into issues with those links.
Joanna Penn says
I just did zipped MP3s, but that’s not ideal as people are so used to getting audio on their apps now.
Dr. NKing says
Hi
Joanna
Probably I am a bit late in commenting 😉 I have a doubt.
When you sell online without DRM, don’t you have the risk of piracy? Even if not piracy, people can make it available free on some website. Such things have happened to my books in the past. Don’t you think that as a serious problem? What is your experience?
Joanna Penn says
Yes, piracy will happen but it’s easy to break DRM anyway. The most pirated books are famous names with DRM enabled books. Pirates will pirate. Scammers will scam. But readers who love books will always support authors through the right channels. We all know we can buy pirated books, but do we? I certainly don’t! So I don’t worry about pirates, I just assume enough people will buy through the channels that pay me.
Wanda! says
Thank you for providing this resouce and responding to the questions/comments. I will begin recording audio books for sale soon. Your information helped unlock analysis paralysis for me. I feel more comfortable moving forward with the planning process and more confident with my decisions.