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is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date.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
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 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
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.
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?
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1 2 3 … 5 Next »I like audio books, but I don't really care whether they're read by the author or someone else, as long as the quality is reasonable. That said, the extra asides in this book are a nice addition.
I hope you do record How to Market a Book - I'd like to be able to periodically re-read it to remind myself of some of the advice, and that's much easier with an audio book, as I can do it during my commute.
Thanks Russ - I am definitely considering doing that one next - the rewrites are done so the text is ready :)
Hi Joanna,
First you have a nice reading voice - not sure mine would qualify, but maybe I just need practice:-)
Second - I don't normally listen to non-fiction audio books with a practical focus, because I'm usually in my car and can't take notes. More inspirational or strategic NF books work for me though.
Best of luck and love to read (and share) your very useful posts on being an Authorpreneur!
I have been thinking about this, especially after hearing about podiobooks. I've been writing a free weekly episodic series to try and draw in readers to sign up for my mailing list. I wonder if offering audio files would improve my numbers. I'm even considering recording my works in progress for immediate feedback. My only restriction, as always, is time. But maybe I'll give it a try, just to see what kind of response I get.
I think it's always worth playing with different things, but everything does take time - and it also takes time to grow an audience too. Luckily we have the rest of our lives ... :)
Thanks for this post, Jo! And well done - I've just had a quick listen and it sounds great. I think there's something wonderfully satisfying about recording one's own work - provided one has a voice that's soothing to listen to!
I've experimented with audio using Garage Band over the last couple of years - first recording a few sample chapters of my children's book, The Secret Lake, which I have embedded as a YouTube clip on the book's website (I read it way too quickly though!). The long term plan is to create an audio book and do the recording myself...
I also created the audio files for my children's picture book app, Ferdinand Fox's Big Sleep which came out last October - and then re-used them in the iBooks version released this week. Again, I used Garage Band - along with Logitech headphones - here at home on my iMac. I also used some of the free sound files that come with Garage Band for a few of the sound effects.... as well as Googling around to find others - such as chiming church clocks!(I also made a few up myself!) At some stage I will do a post on what I learned using the software... Garage Band includes things like echo etc, which I'd like to include in The Secret Lake scene where the children are climbing down a tunnel and calling out to each other...!
The main thing I learned beyond the tech side was how important it is to pace oneself. For anyone trying for the first time, I'd recommend recording a few pages and then leaving it to rest for a day and then listening back with 'fresh ears' (a bit like leaving a manuscript to rest) - it's only after a bit of a break that you notice that if you're going too quickly, and I suspect this is the mistake that most people make when first recording . Clearly you really don't want to get too far into your book at the wrong speed as you'll just have to start over! (I cringe when I now listen to my Secret Lake recording, but it only ever was an experiment! And I've since added a health warning where it's embedded The Secret Lake's site! For interest the recording's here if you want an example of reading just a bit to fast..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g93cZpburqc Oh and I've also added this to my author page on Amazon.... another cross marketing tip...
I think your idea of stopping and clapping to mark points where you know you need to edit is good one - though I would always listen right back through and stop and edit as I go on that second listen...
I've possibly meandered off topic here - but mainly wanted to say that Garage Band is another option - I then export the files as MP3 via iTunes...
And yes - it really is exhausting!
Ooops - excuse a few obvious typos above :-)
Thanks for your input Karen - and audio for kids books and apps seem like a great idea - perhaps necessary as well, given the appeal of noises etc.
Another really useful post, Joanna – though scary to find my own face staring out at me! :D
This is hugely relevant, because I'm considering creating audio versions of some of my own work, both my book (though goodness knows how long it would take to record a 520-page monster) and pieces from my magazine. I may also have a go at short fiction, but if I ever manage to get that novel finished, I'd call upon the services of a pro. Whatever the outcome, I certainly think it's worth the experiment.
I did an hour's solo podcast a while ago. I've been a guest on many podcasts, but doing it solo proved to be, as you say, exhausting. I did the whole thing using Garageband, up here in my attic studio, with frequent pauses to fend off curious cats, who seemed fascinated by my voice coming from the iMac! I was using Plantronics headset, but I've subsequently invested in a funky looking thing from Samson for my next try ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004MF39YS ), and one of those screen thingies on a bendy stalk to cut out 'pop' ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000L99XWG ).
If you fancy a quick listen, it's about the build-up to the Battle of Agincourt, a combination of readings, both non-fiction and fiction, and chat.
http://henrys-wargaming.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/letters_from_an_editor-01.mp3
For a first attempt, I'm pretty pleased with it.
You do have a knack, Joanna, of hitting the very nails on the head that I'm also currently aiming at!
Thanks Henry and I really appreciate your lovely comment :) It's great you're doing your own audios as well - it adds another nuance to a work IMHO
This post is a goldmine! So many resources! I have been toying with the idea of narrating my upcoming romance. I'm Greek with a good American accent (which inevitably falters at times) but my book is set in Greece, the male hero is Greek as are most of the secondary characters, so I think I'll be okay.
Joanna, I'm heading to buy one of your books right now just to thank you for this. I was looking for info on recording and editing resources, and you've got me 100% covered!
Greetings from Greece!
Maria (MM Jaye)
Thanks so much Maria - and a double thank you for buying a book in gratitude! I really appreciate that and wish you all the best with your greek audio!
I have a college near by and will approach them to use their recording room. I am beginning to create power point presentations and learning the how to for audio and music. I have a poetry book with photos and would like to create a e-book and audio. They will not be able in the audio to see the photographs,but I could explain them before I read the poem or share how how they came to be. Thank you for your sharing!
I think poetry is another obvious place to record audio, and many poets do this to draw attention to their work. All the best, Patricia.
Yay! As soon as I saw that you had recorded the audiobook yourself and were selling it direct, I wanted to know more about the process. This is really encouraging, because it is something I'd like to try myself, and from your account it sounds doable.
I'm wondering what considerations affect pricing for audiobooks. I know all the arguments for different price points for ebooks, but this would be new territory for me.
Thanks for the post, and for Business for Authors, which has given me lots to think about!
Hi Alice,
I'm so glad it was helpful!
In terms of pricing, you can have a look at Audible.com for prices on things - they discount on Amazon.com site and it's discounted if you have membership as well - but you can also see the prices without discounting a lot of the time. There are definitely books around $25, which is what I am going with for 6 hours of audio that is practically useful.
Hi all
Great reading about your DIY audio efforts!
Do you have any feel for how close the tools that you used would get your audio files to a quality level that would pass ACX's QA process?
I've long wanted to narrate my own work, but it's actually my wife who has the awesome reading voice. Happily my WIP has both male and female narrators.
With what you've done so far, do you think your audio file(s) could pass and be accepted by ACX?
thx
JJB
Hi JJB,
You can check out the requirements here:
http://www.acx.com/help/acx-audio-submission-requirements/201456300
Basically, I had already decided to sell direct from my site anyway, so it wasn't a concern. All the best with your books.
Hi Joanna
Not so long ago I was reading others posts about changes to authors payments from the audio book retailers. The comments were quite negative and others were giving opinions like 'never again', too costly to make for the return' etc. Would you dismiss these as, just that, negative responses and not worth worrying about?
I think it would be quite fun and be a good challenge to make audio books. The younger generation, I would think, would embrace this 'new' (I used to listen to records like 'The Emperors New Clothes' fifty years ago) technology.
Hi Stuart,
I've written about ACX before as a platform
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/05/01/audiobooks-acx-marketing/
I think it's brilliant and it's bringing in money for me without any effort - as I do royalty split, it didn't cost anything either. So I don't understand the criticism really, but then I am a pretty positive person in general :)