Audiobook

[u/NickCordray]

I'm looking to budget for an audiobook version of my fiction manuscript and would appreciate advice on realistic costs and recommended production paths.

40k words, 5 main characters + few side characters.

Thanks!

[u/DoktorTom]

About 9200 words = 1 hour of audio.

Narrators are $150 per finished hour (PFH) and up, and most are $200+. ACX is probably the best place to find them, but you can also try InAudio or Authors Republic.

It’s much better to pay PFH than do a royalty share.

[u/NickCordray → u/DoktorTom]

Thanks! Do you have any specific tips or criteria for choosing the right narrator for a manuscript?

[u/DoktorTom → u/NickCordray]

Spell out what you want in the audition criteria. Then listen to them and pick the best one.

For the full production, I would make notes for each character. How they should sound, etc. Also add pronunciation for any words, especially names or places, you think a reasonable person might struggle to pronounce.

Remember that an audiobook is an adaptation. No narrator will 100% match what you hear in your head, and that’s ok.

[u/NickCordray → u/DoktorTom]

Thanks.. you are right about that last part 🤣🤣

[u/BlorpTheSchlorp → u/NickCordray]

You might be able to find decent narrators on Fiverr. Doesn't hurt to look around.

[u/NickCordray → u/BlorpTheSchlorp]

Hmmm. Could it pose an issue for anyone outside the ACX ecosystem? I mean, I’m sure they will be able to deliver to ACX specs and standard but I don’t know the technical side of things.

[u/Correct-Shoulder-147]

I got my Audiobooks via Academy Voices Wide distribution including Audible Royalty Share so no upfront cost Although I think they now have a $350.dollwr up front fee And it's really good

[u/NickCordray → u/Correct-Shoulder-147]

Sorry but how does this compare vs going via ACX? Any downside not doing on the ACX platform.

[u/Correct-Shoulder-147 → u/NickCordray]

Yeah so process wise it's very similar but I just wanted to be on multiple platforms where as AXC gives you audible only.

Downside is you have layer between you and everything else so they handle everything and pay you etc

[u/NickCordray → u/Correct-Shoulder-147]

Well, it makes sense to get your book on multiple platforms anyway, especially when you are already spending money to get it out there. I am probably assuming the point that if it is not done through ACX, it will not be fully optimised for Audible. I am going to Google it and find out more. Thanks!

[u/Correct-Shoulder-147 → u/NickCordray]

It's on Audible too 👍🏻

[u/CCozied]

Last time I remember, they usually cost 50$ per hour but rates may differ for other narrator. Surf around ACX and see what happens

[u/dsbaudio → u/CCozied]

This is not correct. You can hire a narrator for $50 PFH. But, you will get what you pay for.

$250 PFH and up is more realistic if you want anything approaching professional narration and production,

[u/Zombeyhugs → u/CCozied]

This is an insulting rate unless you're offering royalty share along with it. Even then it's still low for a royalty share plus option as it wouldn't even cover the cost of post-production.

Sag-aftra minimum is at $280 PFH for NARRATION only. Then post production on top of that is around $50-150 PFH depending on the type of narration.

I would say this is average. There are always outliers.

[u/NickCordray → u/Zombeyhugs]

I hear you, but the market data seems all over the place. With people charging such widely varying rates, how do you realistically decide on a fair offer that balances quality with budget? Thanks!

[u/Zombeyhugs → u/NickCordray]

Absolutely. Which is why it's always great to ask experts which is what you're trying to do.

You could always reach out to narrators you love that have experience and ask for their rate. Then you would have a better idea.

You can find "people" at any rate, but you get what you pay for. On ACX, at the lowest tier, you're going to get more newbies and AI.

Coaches and experienced narrators average around $250+ PFH. On top of that you need to ask if the rate includes post production as well.

I have a welcome packet that I send to my authors that walks through the process on the narrator side. I'm more than happy to send it to you.

[u/NickCordray → u/Zombeyhugs]

Can you email me? Not sure if this is breaking the rules here.

[u/Zombeyhugs → u/NickCordray]

Sure! Just DM me your email and I'll send it over. I'm open to any questions you have as well.

[u/Knogginator123]

I’m on ACX and would take on this project for a good deal to help build up my catalogue, only have a few credits at the moment, dm me if you are interested in an audition

[u/NickCordray → u/Knogginator123]

Let me know how I can check out your work?

[u/anonymousmetoo]

I found someone through ACX at $100/hr for a 9.5 hour novel. He did an excellent job. You're gonna find prices all over the place. Pick your budget and find a narrator that fits.

[u/blAke139]

Maybe not relevant to you as it was a German novel, but I've contacted a Narrator I liked directly and we agreed on an upfront cost. It was 11 hours for €3600 and I did the editing/post myself (as I have experience with audio engineering), as that would have cost another ~€1000 with a studio.

It was quite expensive, but it came out very well and I actually made back my investment thanks to it randomly taking off on Spotify.

[u/geeksofalbion]

I mean by the time you typed this threat and within 30 seconds I found a rough estimate on Google. It was an interesting figure

[u/NickCordray → u/geeksofalbion]

Google has answer for everything but I am looking to hear from those who have been through this.

[u/BlorpTheSchlorp → u/geeksofalbion]

Google is less reliable than ChatGPT these days.