The Audiobook Boom
Audiobook sales have grown 25%+ annually for years. If you’ve written a book, an audiobook version expands your reach to commuters, exercisers, and multitaskers everywhere.
Narrator Selection
Fiction Considerations
– Character range (can they voice multiple characters distinctly?)
– Genre experience (romance, thriller, fantasy have different conventions)
– Protagonist match (age, gender, personality alignment)
Non-Fiction Considerations
– Subject expertise (helpful for technical content)
– Author sound-alike (if author has public presence)
– Engaging delivery for potentially dense material
Production Options
Royalty Share
Narrator works for percentage of sales. Lower upfront cost, but you share profits forever.
Pay Per Finished Hour (PFH)
Industry standard. Rates range $100-500+ per finished hour depending on narrator experience.
Hybrid
Reduced PFH rate plus royalty share. Balances risk and reward.
The Production Process
1. Narrator casting and auditions
2. Recording (typically 2x book length in raw audio)
3. Editing and proofing
4. Quality control review
5. Mastering to platform specifications
6. Distribution setup
DIY vs. Professional Production
Authors can self-narrate, but consider:
– Do you have a “radio voice”?
– Can you commit 40+ hours to a single project?
– Do you have proper recording equipment?
– Can you edit audio professionally?
Most authors benefit from professional narration.
Multilingual Audiobooks
Expanding to international markets? Each language needs:
– Professional translation
– Native narrator casting
– Cultural adaptation review
– Platform-compliant production
KW Voice Over produces audiobooks in 70+ languages. Contact us to discuss your book.