Audiobooks Archives - TCK Publishing

Findaway Voices Review: Should You Use Findaway to Distribute Your Audiobook?

Kaelyn Barron — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 08:00:00 +0000

The audiobook market is rapidly growing, with audiobooks accounting for $2.67 billion of book sales in 2019, a number that is expected to reach $13.45 billion by 2027.

That said, authors cannot ignore the importance of creating and distributing a quality audiobook to accompany the print and digital formats of their work.

But one burning question in the minds of many self-published authors is whether they should opt for an exclusive deal with ACX or try wide distribution.

For those interested in going wide, Findaway Voices offers many enticing benefits, which we’ll explore in this review.

What Is Findaway Voices?

Founded in 2016, Findaway Voices is the world’s largest audiobook distributor that helps authors produce and sell their audiobooks through Audible, Apple Books, Google, Chirp, Scribd, and 40 other retail and library distribution partners.

In fact, they’re even the exclusive distributor to several retailers, including Chirp, which means you can only sell with those companies if you distribute through Findaway.

Unlike ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), Findaway Voices does not have any exclusivity options, which may appeal to authors who prefer wide distribution. However, there are trade-offs to consider, which we’ll cover in this post.

Findaway Voices Review

Let’s take a look at what Findaway Voices has to offer authors, and see where it differs from ACX.

Exclusivity

ACX incentivizes exclusivity by offering higher royalty rates (40%) than if you went wide, but you’ll be limited to selling your audiobook on Audible, iTunes, and Amazon.

Findaway Voices doesn’t have an exclusivity option, and they offer over 40 options for distribution. However, they do take a flat fee of 20% of your net royalties, which is what’s left after they have to share with their partners (who usually take 50–60%).

Pricing Control

Unlike ACX, which gives authors zero control over the pricing of their audiobooks, Findaway Voices lets you control the retail and library pricing for your book on most audiobook sellers.

One exception is Audible: if you choose to sell on Audible through Findaway Voices, Audible will still control the pricing.

Findaway Voices offers guidelines to help you determine the ideal pricing for your book, but it’s ultimately

still up to you.

Here’s a sample of the price ranges they recommend:

Royalties

Findaway Voices offers an 80% royalty rate, but you should note that that isn’t 80% of your list price.

Rather, since Findaway Voices is an aggregator, they must give their partners a cut of the sales. With most non-Amazon retailers, Findaway gets to keep about 40–50% of the list price, and you’ll get 80% of that.

So if you sell an audiobook for $20 through one of their partners and they keep 50%, Findaway will get $10. They’ll keep 20% and give you 80% (which means $8 for you).

Findaway pays out royalties every month if the $100 threshold is reached.

In contrast, ACX offers a 40% royalty rate when you sign an exclusive contract. So under that agreement, if you sell an audiobook for $20 on Amazon, you’ll keep $8.

Marketing

Findaway offers several benefits to authors when it comes to marketing, including promo codes and a growing audience reach.

Promos

Findaway Voices isn’t the only distributor to offer promo codes as a marketing tool for your book, but their options are definitely convenient.

Authors get 30 giveaway codes for each title, or up to 100 if they’re enrolled in the hybrid royalty-splitting option, Voices Plus.

ACX offers 25 promo codes per title, but only if you’re exclusive with ACX.

One drawback to FV giveaway codes is that they’re only available through the Authors Direct app, while ACX codes are redeemable on Audible, which allows listeners to write a verified Audible review when they redeem the code.

With the Authors Direct app, listeners can still write a review on Apple, Audiobooks.com, Downpour, eStories, Kobo, Walmart, and Scribd, but they won’t be considered “verified.”

Reach

Not surprisingly, Amazon and Audible dominate a vast part of the audiobook market, which means focusing your efforts on ACX (exclusive or not) could be quite lucrative.

Still, unlike ACX, Findaway Voices helps authors get their books into libraries, which could bring in extra money you would otherwise miss out on.

And remember that the two options are not mutually exclusive: you can distribute your audiobook to Audible and Amazon via Findaway Voices, you’ll just get a lower royalty rate for being non-exclusive.

Reporting

Sales reporting on Findaway Voices is somewhat limited by each distribution partner’s protocol; they don’t control how each seller reports their earnings.

Nonetheless, Findaway does try to make it easy for authors to track their sales via their sales dashboard.

Narrators

Finding the right narrator is essential to your audiobook’s success. To help you find your ideal voice, Findaway Voices will ask you some questions about what you’re looking for in a narrator, then send you a curated list of potential matches. If you don’t like any of the selections, you can request a new list.

This is different from ACX, which allows authors to browse a catalog of narrators, or “producers,” who you’ll then approach to discuss a possible collaboration.

With both options, you can hear samples of the narrators’ past work, view their rates, and coordinate auditions.

Narration Costs

When it comes to paying for your audiobook production, Findaway Voices offers two options: royalty share and cost per finished hour.

With royalty share, authors can pay half of the upfront cost in exchange for giving the narrator 20% of their royalties for a period of 10 years. This means that you would get 60% royalties (don’t forget about the other 20% that goes to Findaway).

It’s important to note, however, that in order to take advantage of the royalty share option, you need to show narrators that they’ll be able to get back their investment.

Alternatively, you can pay based on the cost per finished hour, which depends on your narrator and your book. The longer your book, the higher the cost will be (as the narrator will have to spend more time recording).

Paying based on the cost per finished hour can vary greatly, but Findaway Voices offers the following example:

Manuscript word count: 53,000

Narrator’s cost per finished hour: $250

Author’s total estimated cost: $1,350–$1,650

In addition, Findaway Voices typically charges a $49 setup fee per book, but that fee can be waived if you sign up for Findaway via Draft2Digital.

Of course, you can also opt to narrate your own audiobook.

Does Findaway Voices Distribute to Audible?

Yes, Findaway Voices does distribute to Audible and Amazon. Just note that if you’re non-exclusive with ACX, you’ll get a lower royalty rate.

Can You Use Both Findaway Voices and ACX?

You can use both Findaway Voices and ACX as long as you’re not exclusive with ACX. For example, you might use ACX to find a narrator and produce your audiobook, then take your files to Findaway Voices and use them as your distributor.

Conversely, you might produce your audiobook through Findaway, then sign an exclusive contract with ACX and enjoy the 40% royalty rate selling only through Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

Ultimately, the right choice for you will come down to how much control you want over pricing, distribution, and other factors.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post Findaway Voices Review: Should You Use Findaway to Distribute Your Audiobook? appeared first on TCK Publishing.

Chirp for Authors: A New Way to Promote Your Audiobooks

Kaelyn Barron — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Since 2012, BookBub has been a leading name in ebook promotion, helping authors attract more readers and increase their sales with limited-time deals.

Now the owners of BookBub are doing the same for audiobooks with their platform Chirp. Here, authors can apply to have their audiobook promoted by Chirp, while readers can shop and listen to discounted or full-price audiobooks.

In addition to most traditionally published audiobooks, you can also find many indie and self-published audiobooks on Chirp.

For authors who don’t have an exclusive contract with ACX (Audible’s publishing platform), Chirp can be an attractive option for selling audiobooks with the help of their exclusive deals and offers for listeners.

In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of using Chirp and show you how to submit your audiobook to be considered for a featured deal.

Chirp for Authors

If you’re thinking about making your audiobook available through Chirp, here are some of the ways you can benefit from a partnership:

Unique distribution model: Chirp is the only audiobook distributor to place such an emphasis on deals, rather than a credit or subscription service. When an author’s book is chosen as a featured deal, they can see huge boosts in sales.

Intuitive Design: Chirp is easy to use for both authors and listeners. The app’s highly intuitive design makes it easy to submit your audiobook for consideration for a featured deal. Learn more about Chirp for listeners in our Chirp review.

Authors control pricing: Whereas Audible traditionally locks prices, Chirp gives authors price control. This means you’re free to adjust pricing to offer deeper discounts and hopefully lead to increased sales.

BookBub-style Curation: Readers love BookBub for their curated recommendations, which are hand-picked by their editorial team. They bring that same curation to Chirp, which is sure to attract more loyal readers and listeners with time, and that means a wider audience that can discover your audiobooks.

Submitting Your Audiobook to Chirp

Submitting your audiobook to Chirp is very similar to submitting an ebook to BookBub. Here’s what you need to do for a chance at being featured:

1. Make Your Book Available on Findaway Voices

Findaway Voices is an official distribution partner of Chirp. If you’re an indie author, you must use Findaway Voices in order for your audiobook to be eligible for a Chirp deal. (This also means that you’re not eligible if you’re exclusive with ACX.)

If you’re not exclusive with ACX, all you have to do is upload your book to Findaway Voices and include Chirp in the list of retailers you want to offer your audiobook.

2. Go to Your BookBub Partners Dashboard

Sign into your BookBub Partners account, or if you don’t already have one, go ahead and sign up.

From your dashboard, under My Promotions, select Chirp Audiobook Deals, then click Submit Audiobook Deal.

3. Complete the Submission Form

After confirming that your book is on Findaway Voices, you’ll be asked to complete the following:

Select your book by searching the database (if it’s in Findaway Voices you should find it).

Choose the time period you are submitting your deal for. You can go as low as $0.99 up to $5.99+.

Select your suggested category (primary genre) of your book.

Set your discounted price (the price that you intend to offer your book for).

You’ll also have an opportunity to leave additional comments with anything you want the editorial team to know.

4. Submit your book deal proposal.

Once you’ve double checked all your details, click Submit to send off your book deal for consideration.

The editorial team will let you know whether or not your book has been accepted. If it is, they’ll let you know what price they recommend, but you’ll still get the final say.

Just remember that you’ll need to offer your book at that discount during the specified time frame.

Promote Your Audiobook with Chirp

As a platform for authors, Chirp does for audiobooks what BookBub does for authors. If your book gets approved for a featured deal, you really have the potential to up your sales and get more exposure for your book.

Of course, Chirp isn’t the only tool at your disposal when it comes to promoting your audiobooks. Check out our 10 audiobook marketing tips to learn more about how you can boost your sales.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post Chirp for Authors: A New Way to Promote Your Audiobooks appeared first on TCK Publishing.

Chirp Audiobooks Review: Pros, Cons, and How to Use It

Kaelyn Barron — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 08:00:00 +0000

When you think of buying and listening to audiobooks, Audible is probably among the first names to come to mind.

However, the owners of BookBub have stepped in to change the way you shop for audiobooks with Chirp, a free service that notifies readers of limited-time deals on quality audiobooks.

In this post, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of using Chirp, how it compares to Audible, and who the platform is best for.

What Is Chirp?

Chirp is BookBub’s audiobook platform that aims to help listeners find deals on quality audiobooks, just as BookBub does for readers with ebooks.

However, while readers can’t purchase ebooks directly from BookBub, listeners can buy audiobooks from Chirp, even if they are not on sale. That’s because unlike BookBub, Chirp is both a sales distribution and listening platform (which means you also must listen to your purchases on the Chirp app).

Chirp for Listeners

When you sign up for Chirp as a listener, you’ll first be asked to fill out a brief survey indicating what types of books you are most interested in.

Based on your preferences, Chirp will send you a daily email with the best audiobook deals for you.

In addition to the daily emails, you can also just browse the site to find other good deals on audiobooks. Browse based on your preferred genres, or check out other categories, such as Popular Deals, Trending Deals Under $2, Highly Rated Deals, and more.

Here’s a sample of what I found in my recommended deals section, to give you an idea of how cheap some of these deals can be:

If you’re not looking for the cheapest of the cheap audiobook deals or you have a specific book in mind, you can search for the book you want, check out Chirp’s featured shelves, or just browse their entire selection by category.

Here’s a sample of best-sellers that aren’t deeply discounted:

Another great feature is that you can add audiobooks to your “Wishlist,” and Chirp will notify you if and when a limited-time deal becomes available for those books.

Drawbacks of Chirp

Here are some minors drawbacks to using Chirp as an author or listener:

Not Available Outside US and Canada

At the time of this writing, Chirp is only available in the United States and Canada, which means authors in other countries will miss out for now.

Only Listen in the App

Because of digital rights management, Chirp users can only listen to the audiobooks they buy from Chirp in the Chirp app.

This is common among most audiobook platforms, but still an inconvenience to consider.

In addition, you can’t buy books directly in the app. You must first make your purchase on their website before the audiobooks appear in your in-app library.

Limited Pricing Options

When it comes to buying audiobooks through Chirp, you have two options: you can either wait for books to be featured and get them at a discount, or you can buy them whenever you want at full price.

Full-priced audiobooks on Chirp could cost the same or more than what you would pay with Audible or another platform. This makes Chirp a good option for audiobook listeners who want to discover great new books at hot rates, but perhaps not so great if you’re looking for a specific book to listen to right now.

Is Chirp Cheaper than Audible?

Chirp can often be cheaper than Audible, but it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you browse Chirp’s featured deals, you can certainly pay next to nothing for great audiobooks, but you’re limited to what’s available during the time that deal is running.

If you are looking for a specific book that doesn’t currently have a deal, you’ll pay close to full-price. For example, I’m interested in listening to My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. On Chirp, it’s currently $17.99.

In contrast, Audible offers you one free audiobook of your choice for a monthly subscription of $7.95, or two for $14.95. If I don’t use a credit, I’ll pay $24.47 for that title on Audible.

Whether Chirp or Audible is better for you depends a lot on whether you’re looking for deals or specific books, as well as how many books you plan to listen to each month.

The good news is that Chirp is free, so you don’t necessarily have to choose between the two. If you have an Audible subscription, you might keep that for when there are specific books you really want to listen to, and use Chirp to catch those too-good-to-pass-up limited-time deals.

Does Chirp Have Free Audiobooks?

Chirp does not have free audiobooks. However, deals can start as low as $0.99, and it is free to sign up for the service.

Chirp: A Viable Alternative to Audible

Chirp has a lot to offer listeners and certainly stands as a strong competitor to Amazon’s Audible. It’s ideal for readers and listeners who want to browse great deals on audiobooks, but you can also find many best-sellers at any time, even if they aren’t part of a featured deal.

To find more great audiobook deals, check out our list of the 10 best websites where you can find free audiobooks.

Have you tried Chirp? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post Chirp Audiobooks Review: Pros, Cons, and How to Use It appeared first on TCK Publishing.

10 Audiobook Marketing Tips to Help You Reach More Listeners

Kaelyn Barron — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 08:00:00 +0000

If you’ve been working on an audio version of your book, you may have wondered if marketing your audiobook will be any different from marketing a regular print or ebook.

While you could just let the audio option sit there on Amazon for shoppers to discover on their own, there are more effective ways to target one of the fastest growing markets in publishing.

In this post, we’ll show you some productive strategies for marketing audiobooks that you can use in addition to your ongoing book marketing efforts.

10 Tips for Audiobook Marketing

Below are 10 tips that will help you maximize your audiobook sales and reach thousands of listeners looking for books like yours.

1. Expand your distribution channels.

The largest and most popular audiobook distribution platform is ACX, so you should definitely make your book available through them.

You don’t have to be exclusive with ACX/Audible, which means you can consider other distribution channels. You can find a variety of royalty rates, payment frequencies, and promotional support.

However, note that exclusive distribution with ACX will get you a 40% royalty, whereas audiobooks distributed non-exclusively through ACX earn a 25% royalty.

A few options besides ACX are:

2. Create an Audible Author page.

If your books are available on Audible, make sure you have an Audible Author page, which lists your bio, all of your available books, and other information (much like your Amazon Author Central profile).

Your Audible Author page will make it easy for listeners to discover you on Audible, learn more about you, and check out your other works.

Check out examples of Audible author pages.

3. Announce the preorder.

Once your audiobook is produced and ready to go, contact your distributor to ask about setting up a preorder.

Then, link to your audiobook preorder everywhere, including your website, author newsletter (especially if you have a list just for audio listeners), your email signature, social media profiles, and pretty much anywhere else that makes sense.

You should also create special landing pages on your website just for your audiobooks with links to the available retailers.

4. Use promo codes and host giveaways.

Many retailers will give you audiobook codes to use for giveaways. (If you have an exclusive deal with ACX, you can generate promo codes for free via your sales dashboard.)

Promote these giveaways on your social media pages and author website, and kindly ask the winner(s) if they could leave an honest review.

This is a great way to spread the word about your audiobook to audio listeners and hopefully generate some positive buzz.

5. Link to it everywhere.

Link to your book (both pre- and post-release) on your website, social media profiles, and newsletter.

Create specific graphics, banners, and marketing materials promoting your audiobook. Not all books have audio versions, so you’ll want to make it clear through your advertising that yours does (especially for the part of your audience that is loyal to audiobooks).

6. Team up with your narrator.

If your narrator is well-established in the audiobook world, ask them to record a video interview or do a Facebook Live event with you to discuss the book.

Some narrators have big followings, so if you’re working with a popular voice you could have some built-in marketing opportunities.

7. Release samples.

Release a sample chapter from your audiobook to offer listeners a sneak peek of what their experience will be.

You can release your audio previews through platforms like SoundCloud, which is free and has a WordPress plug-in for easily displaying audio samples, but you can also release them as YouTube or Instagram videos.

8. Approach audiobook reviewers and bloggers.

There are many reviewers out there who specialize in audiobook reviews, or at least prefer to listen to audio versions to write their reviews. (For example, the AudioGals team specializes in reviews of romance audiobooks.)

You can also approach hosts of review podcasts, since many podcast listeners also enjoy listening to audiobooks.

Just like an advanced reader copy (ARC) for print and e-books, you can send an advanced listener copy (ALC) to audiobook reviewers.

Learn more about how to get more book reviews, with tips that apply to both ebooks and audiobooks.

9. Promote it on Chirp.

Chirp is BookBub’s promotional platform for audiobooks. It allows you to temporarily offer your audiobook for free or at a discount.

These types of promotions are very effective at maximizing your reach. You’ll have more opportunities to turn new listeners or readers into loyal followers who will be more likely to buy your future books.

Note that you’ll need to distribute your audiobook through Findaway Voices in order to run a Chirp promotion, since other distributors won’t allow you to set or change the price of your audiobook.

Check out more ways that free and discounted books can help you earn more in the long run.

10. Submit your audiobook for awards.

You can also submit your book for consideration for audiobook awards, including the Independent Audiobook Awards or the Audies.

Even if you don’t win, simply submitting your book can get you a lot of exposure (usually to people with influence in the publishing world), and you might also get valuable feedback from the judges.

Learn more about the benefits of entering a writing or book contest.

11. Market to libraries.

Libraries have more to offer than dusty paperbacks and fingerprint-covered book jackets. You can find some of the latest ebooks and audiobooks at your local public library.

If you’re distributing with Findaway Voices, you can make your audiobook available in libraries. You’ll get paid for the copy or copies the library buys, while your library patrons will get to listen for free, which means more free exposure for you, and possibly greater demand for your work down the road.

Check out Amy Collins’ tips for getting your self-published books of all formats into libraries.

Is There a Market for Audiobooks?

Audiobooks are a growing sector within the publishing world. In 2019, the global audiobook market size was valued at $2.67 billion, and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 24.4% until at least 2027.

Print books still remain the most popular format for reading, followed by ebooks, but audiobook listenership is growing at a staggering rate that saw a 16% increase in 2019 alone, the same year that 1 in 5 American adults surveyed reported listening to an audiobook.

Market All Formats of Your Book

No matter which formats your book is available in, and no matter how it was published, it’s important to be proactive in your book marketing efforts.

Check out our tips for marketing your book and getting publicity long after your book has been published.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post 10 Audiobook Marketing Tips to Help You Reach More Listeners appeared first on TCK Publishing.

AI Narration: The Future for Audiobooks?

Kaelyn Barron — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already used for so many of our daily tasks that we may even forget its presence. It can park your car, play your favorite song, and even lock the doors to your home while you’re miles away.

It shouldn’t really be a surprise, then, that the audiobook industry is looking toward AI to make the narration process more efficient. But the thought of manipulating real voices, and possibly replacing them, leaves many questions and even more concerns that need to be addressed.

New Developments in AI Narration

The use of AI in narration and voice-over productions is not new. Remember listening to the first GPS navigators? You’d be lucky if you could even recognize the street names they were dictating.

While AI assistants such as Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa have seen significant improvements over the past few years, they’re still far from matching a human voice and all its rhythms, intonations, inflections, and other natural qualities.

Tech company NVIDIA’s invention of the graphics processing unit (GPU), and now GPU deep learning, have revolutionized modern AI. In August of 2021, the company announced new research and tools that can capture the natural speech qualities older technologies lacked by allowing speakers to train the AI system with their own voices.

Meanwhile, NaturalReader is one company that offers a free online text-to-speech converter that actually produces pretty natural-sounding recordings, in case you’d like to try it out yourself. (Note that this only narrates the text you feed it; it doesn’t clone your voice and create recordings on its own.)

The implications of this technological progress are enormous, and as we’ll discuss later, not without controversy. Among the many benefits are the ability to bring to life the voices of lost loved ones, help people who have lost their voices and speaking abilities, and yield faster, less expensive productions of films, digital productions, and of course, audiobooks.

AI-Narrated Audiobooks

In late 2020, Google Play Books announced that it would offer automatic narration for books that do not currently have an audio version. This will not be applied to every book, and the decision will still ultimately be left to publishers.

We’ve already discussed some of the pros and cons of AI writing machines, and such technology has already been used by media outlets and even authors who are struggling with writer’s block. But why would publishers be interested in replacing human audiobook narrators with AI technology?

For one, the technology can be considerably cheaper than a human narrator. But perhaps more importantly, it would make audio files much easier to change in post-production. Rather than calling back the human narrator to re-record segments, you can have AI change the file by simply updating the text.

Another benefit is the potential for audiobook listeners to customize their experience. Much like you can customize the voice of your AI assistant, you could opt to have a British female voice read Pride and Prejudice, or an American male voice read The Old Man and the Sea, for example.

Currently, Google Play Books has a beta version available, and is working on making the tool available to publishers. You can already try out some free audio versions of books from the public domain, which were created with AI.

Speechki

Perhaps no one is tackling the AI narration revolution as head-on as Speechki, a new recording platform that uses AI synthetic voices to record audiobooks in just 15 minutes.

Founded in 2019, Speechki works by allowing publishers or authors to upload their text, select one of 251 voices in 72 languages, customize the sound, then get their audio file in their desired format, which can be fine-tuned by a proof-listener in just a few hours.

In a call with the company, Speechki confirmed to us that they have already completed over 800 audiobooks with AI that are currently available, and have secured a deal to do over 1,000.

Currently, audiobooks make up just 5% of the book market, but Speechki projects a 24.4% growth rate between 2020 and 2027.

In an interview with the Audio Publishers Association, Speechki’s co-founder and CEO Dima Abramov explained that the company is not aiming to replace human narrators, but simply open more opportunities for listeners, including those who are vision-impaired or disabled, as content opportunities are “currently severely limited.”

AI Narration Controversy

One example of just how advanced AI narration has become can be found in the recent CNN documentary Roadrunner, which covers the life and death of Anthony Bourdain.

The filmmakers utilized AI to create a model of Bourdain’s voice, which naturally stirred up ethical debates over whether or not it’s putting words in a dead man’s mouth is ever justified. In one instance, the words were actually Bourdain’s, taken from an email he wrote to a friend, but still, the use of AI in the film was not disclosed to viewers.

But as LA Times journalist Matt Pearce sums up the dilemma: “The most important thing about a documentary deepfaking Anthony Bourdain’s voice isn’t that it happened, but that it happened and almost nobody noticed.”

Granted, the film featured a total of just 45 seconds of AI narration. Over longer periods, the technology is unlikely to fool many listeners. However, the more authentic audio that is fed to these machines, the more they learn and improve, so it’s only a matter of time before we hear AI narrations that are so realistic you wouldn’t notice even over the course of an entire film.

Of course, this is troubling news for voice actors and audio narrators. Because we’re still on the frontier of this new technology, the rules remain unclear, and most are being written along the way. One potential concern is that if voice actors sign any type of agreement allowing a company to synthesize their voice, they might use the voice as their property in any way they please, simply because the actor completed one job for them.

Deep Fakes

Another potential danger doesn’t require more than 45 seconds to make an impact. AI has already been used to create deepfake sound bytes of presidents, celebrities, and other influential figures apparently saying things that they never actually said.

The damaging implications here are obvious, and something we clearly need to confront. Currently, AI companies forbid clients from cloning the voices of celebrities without permission, but that hasn’t stopped a few troubling cases from appearing online.

An Ear to the Future

As with any new technology, there are reasons to celebrate, but also to be wary. Our voices might be the greatest powers we possess, so any development that stands to manipulate them or diminish their power should be approached with extreme caution.

On the flip side, authors like Joanna Penn point to the more positive possibilities, like speakers being able to license their voices to narrate other people’s audiobooks or play a part in a podcast drama.

Some voice actors have already done this, preserving their voices with AI and allowing companies to license those voices to say whatever they need. Then there are the infinite sentimental benefits, like being able to preserve the voice of a lost loved one.

There’s still much to see (and hear) about how this technology will shape the audiobook industry, as well as our discussions on individual rights, which makes this an exciting time for publishers, voice actors, and listeners alike.

What do you think about the use of AI in narration? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post AI Narration: The Future for Audiobooks? appeared first on TCK Publishing.

20 Famous Audiobook Narrators You Can Listen to All Day

Kaelyn Barron — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 08:00:00 +0000

If you’ve ever listened to an audiobook, you know how much influence the narrator has on your overall experience, whether you’re reading fiction or nonfiction.

Being an audiobook narrator is no walk in the park, as this article by The Guardian reveals. Yet, the best ones have a knack for making the grueling recording process sound effortless, and can make listeners feel all the emotions the writer intended.

In this post, we’re recognizing some of the best talent in the audiobook world so you can get to know the names and faces behind the famous voices.

Best Audiobook Narrators of All Time

Below are 20 of the best audiobook narrators of all time, plus some of their most notable works.

1. George Guidall

George Guidall has narrated over 1,300 audiobooks, including many of the longest-running mystery and thriller series.

Throughout his more than 20-year career, Guidall has received numerous accolades and industry awards. In 2015, he was awarded the Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

Notable works:

2. Scott Brick

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Actor and writer Scott Brick has narrated over 900 audiobooks, earning over 50 Earphone Awards, two Audies, and even a Grammy nomination.

He also his own audiobook recording studio and publishing company, Brick By Brick Audiobooks, to help streamline production and ensuring consistency across his work.

Notable works:

3. Jim Dale

Jim Dale narrated all seven Harry Potter books and created a total of 134 different voices for the series. The award-winning British actor got his start as a stand-up comedian in 1951, and starred in dozens of productions with the British National Theatre Company and on Broadway.

He’s won multiple awards and earned many nominations. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II even named him a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2003.

Notable works:

4. Jeremy Irons

Image from Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore

You may recognize Academy Award–winning actor Jeremy Irons’ voice from his many film roles, including Reversal of Fortune, Die Hard: With a Vengeance, and The Lion King (in which he voices Scar).

It’s no surprise, then, that’s he’s also lent his voice to a string of audiobooks.

Notable works:

5. Julia Whelan

Julia Whelan has authored a novel and starred in several film and television roles, but her work as an audiobook narrator has earned her the most critical acclaim, with hits like Gone Girl under her belt.

Whelan also writes long-form journalism for publications like Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic.

Notable works:

6. Cassandra Campbell

Cassandra Campbell has over 700 audiobook narrator credits to her name and has won four Audie Awards (plus 12 nominations).

In 2018, she was inducted into Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.

Notable works:

7. Toni Morrison

Image from Flickr/John Mathew Smith

Nobel and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Toni Morrison also narrated many of the audiobooks for her own works.

Although her books contain deep and serious themes, Morrison’s voice is simultaneously enthralling yet soothing.

Notable works:

8. Frank Muller

Frank Muller was a stage and television actor, but he was best known for his work as an audiobook narrator, frequently collaborating with prolific authors like Stephen King.

Notable works:

9. Vikas Adam

Image from Twitter

Vikas Adam is a classically trained actor who has starred on stage, in film, and several television shows and commercials.

He has also narrated over 200 audiobooks, and has been applauded for his talent transitioning between various accents, including Australian, English, American, and Indian.

Notable works:

10. Neil Gaiman

Image from Wikimedia/Kyle Cassidy

When authors narrate their own work, listeners have the privilege of hearing the book as the writer intended it to be read.

Neil Gaiman is one master storyteller who has narrated the audio versions for most of his own books.

Notable works:

11. Stephen Fry

Image from Twitter

Stephen Fry is a British actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, and writer who gained popularity for his comic double act alongside Hugh Laurie.

As an audiobook narrator, he’s narrated the UK audio versions of the Harry Potter series, among many other titles. He has also lent his voice to numerous video games and animated series.

Notable works:

12. Edward Herrmann

Edward Herrmann won numerous audiobook awards, and as an actor earned a Primetime Emmy and a Tony award. Some of his film appearances include The Aviator, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Overboard.

As an audiobook narrator, he lent his warm but authoritative voice to many biographies and works about history.

Notable works:

13. Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming is well-known for his stage and screen roles, and it’s perhaps his acting experience that has made him such a great audiobook narrator, especially for his own memoirs.

Notable works:

14. Jonathan Davis

Jonathan Davis is a 3-time Audie winner and 16-time nominee. He first wowed listeners with his narration of science fiction, but later began working on more nonfiction titles, proving his remarkable versatility.

Notable works:

15. Dion Graham

Following an illustrious acting career, Dion Graham found success as an audiobook narrator, where his work has earned him dozens of awards.

Graham’s portfolio is impressively diverse, ranging from the Dalai Lama’s memoir to John Grisham novels.

Notable works:

16. Lorelei King

Lorelei King is an American actress who settled in London and had roles in such films as Notting HIll and 24 Hours in London before finding great success as an audiobook narrator.

Her dynamic voice has delivered humorous tales, as well as darker true stories, including a book about serial killer Ted Bundy.

Notable works:

17. Bahni Turpin

Image from Twitter

Bahni Turpin has been voicing strong, bold characters and narratives for years, but recently she’s been on a roll with numerous bestsellers.

As an actress, Turpin has also appeared on shows like Criminal Minds and Star Trek, and she has also been a yoga instructor for many years.

Notable works:

18. Davina Porter

Davina Porter has over 400 audiobook credits to her name, and is best known as the narrator of the unabridged Outlander series.

She has also performed many classics, including Anna Karenina and The Mists of Avalon.

Notable works:

19. Simon Vance

Image from Wikimedia/Francisca Goldsmith

After working as a newsreader and presenter for BBC Radio 4, Vance entered the world of audiobook narration, a career that’s brought him 15 Audie wins and 43 nominations, plus 64 Earphone Awards.

Among his most impressive work is Alan Moore’s Jerusalem, which is 2,000 words longer than the Bible.

Notable works:

20. Robin Miles

Robin Miles enjoyed a career on Broadway and television before getting her start in audio through the American Foundation for the Blind.

Since then, she’s earned several Audie nominations and worked on large cast recordings, including In the Embers, which won Best Audio Drama in 2017.

Notable works:

Who Is the Most Sought After Audiobook Narrator?

It’s hard to measure who the most “sought after” audiobook narrator is, but George Guidall and Scott Brick have two of the largest portfolios in the industry, with 1,300 and 900 titles to their names, respectively.

Of course, different audiobooks call for different types of voices and talent, but these two actors have demonstrated a versatility that has allowed them to work on a wide range of projects.

Find the Best Audiobook Narrator for Your Book

The 20 narrators on this list are among the most successful in the industry and can charge tens of thousands of dollars for their services (not to mention they’re probably booked most of the time).

But you can still learn how to find top talent for your own book in our post on how to make an audiobook. There are hundreds of highly talented voice actors that you can find through ACX. Or, if you’re interested in this line of work yourself, be sure to check out our post on how to become an audiobook narrator.

Do you have a favorite audiobook narrator? Tell us about them in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post 20 Famous Audiobook Narrators You Can Listen to All Day appeared first on TCK Publishing.

21 Best Audiobooks for Road Trips: What to Listen to On Your Next Drive

Yen Cabag — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Taking a road trip with friends or family is an exciting adventure. But sometimes, the long hours on the road can take their toll, especially when you drive through endless stretches and are out of song recommendations.

The good news is that you can actually mix up your playlist by including some audiobooks on your playlist! Not only will you get an enriching experience from your travel and the places you visit, but you’ll even maximize the hours you spend in the car by learning something new or enjoying a new story!

Plus, if you have kids traveling with you, the storytelling can definitely keep them in their seats—or on the edges of their seats as they wait for the next chapter.

Best Audiobooks for Road Trips

When you choose an audiobook for your road trip, you may want to do a mix of fiction and nonfiction books. Here are some of our recommendations:

Modern Fiction Audiobooks

If you are a fan of modern fiction, consider this the time to stock up on more of your to-be-read (TBR) list at no added effort. Check out these choices:

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Narrator: Cassandra Campbell

Run Time: 12 hours 12 minutes

Narrator Cassandra Campbell creates a compelling listening experience with her authentic accents and distinct narrative voice, giving you the full experience of this story set in small-town North Carolina.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Narrator: Toni Morrison

Run Time: 12 hours and 3 minute

What better narrator to listen to than the author herself! This 1988 Pulitzer winner will surely keep you at the edge of your seat—or at the wheel—as it follows the tale of a slave woman, whose murdered daughter haunts her. Of course, consider skipping this if you’re driving alone a dark road for hours on end.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Narrator: Elisabeth Moss

Run Time: 12 hours and 6 minutes

Get lost in a dystopian society while driving cross-country with this audiobook narration by the gifted Elisabeth Moss, who also stars in the Hulu series inspired based on this book. Get yourself thinking about the world with this mesmerizing tale of exaggerated patriarchy.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Narrator: Allan Corduner

Run Time: 13 hours and 56 minutes

If you want a good historical story while you drive, this tear-jerking tale about a girl in 1939 Nazi Germany might be a great choice. Just make sure you have enough tissues to keep your eyes clear and on the road!

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Narrator: Stephen Fry

Run Time: 5 hours and 52 minutes

This humorous science fiction tale will surely keep you entertained to the end of your road trip. Arthur Dent gets plucked from the Earth a few seconds before an intergalactic highway construction demolishes it. The masterful narration of Stephen Fry, an acclaimed British actor, makes the story come alive in the most hilarious fashion.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Narrator: Cassandra Campbell

Run Time: 10 hours and 2 minutes

This complex tale explores the family dynamics of an interracial family, following Lydia with her Chinese father and white mother living in Ohio in the 1970s. The soft voice of Cassandra Campbell was the perfect choice to narrate this thought-provoking piece.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Narrator: Caroline Lee

Run Time: 15 hours and 55 minutes

This domestic thriller, which inspired the HBO show of the same name, follows three women and their children, who are attending kindergarten together. Australian-born Caroline Lee’s narration makes this story sound exactly as it should, as it is based in suburban Sydney.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Narrator: Kate Rudd

Run Time: 7 hours and 14 minutes

This bestseller by John Green will surely bring you to tears as cancer patient Hazel falls in love with Augustus Waters, who also has cancer. Kate Rudd’s narration infuses great care and sensitivity into this heartbreaking story.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Narrator: Neil Gaiman

Run Time: 8 hours and 24 minutes

This audiobook, narrated by the author himself, gives readers a unique glimpse of what he envisioned when he wrote the story about young Bod Owens, who is orphaned and raised by graveyard ghosts.

Classics

If you’re a fan of classics, these audiobooks will make the perfect addition to your road trip. But even if you’re not a fan, you can actually use audiobooks to ease into what may feel like a more difficult read by having someone else—especially a talented actor!—read it for you:

Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Narrator: Nick Offerman

Run Time: 7 hours and 52 minutes

This classic tale by one of the funniest authors in American history, paired with one of the funniest actors as narrator, will surely make your road trip hours fly by. Follow the adventures of young Tom as he and his friend Huck witness a murder.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Narrator: Thandie Newton

Run Time: 19 hours and 10 minutes

This Victorian-era story will entertain you throughout your road trip, thanks to the excellent narration skills of Thandie Newton, who also played a role in the Beloved film. You will experience Jane’s childhood, school encounters, and stint as a governess, all the way to her love affair with the enigmatic Mr. Rochester.

The Sherlock Holmes Collection by Arthur Conan Doyle

Narrator: Stephen Fry

Run Time: 62 hours and 52 minutes

Enjoy the world’s most famous fictional detective as narrated by actor, comedian, and screenwriter Stephen Fry. His own personal devotion to Sherlock Holmes makes for a great rendition. This collection consists of 12 short stories about Sherlock Holmes, which should give you enough material for several days’ worth of driving.

The Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. Tolkien

Narrator: Rob Inglis

Run Time: 117 hours and 27 minutes

Although the whole duration of this audiobook series may take you more than one cross-country drive to finish, this narration is worth a shot if you want to get your toes wet with this epic trilogy. Inglis even delivers the folk songs with unequalled charm!

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Narrator: Sean Barrett and Teresa Gallagher

Run Time: 35 hours and 14 minutes

One of the benefits of listening to audiobooks is that even difficult books can be within our grasp. This dual narration makes this classic tale come alive with its melodrama.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Narrator: Jake Gyllenhaal

Run Time: 4 hours and 49 minutes

Jake Gyllenhaal’s narration will surely bring this classic story to life, from the famous parties to the love triangle drama between Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby.

Nonfiction Audiobooks

If stories are not your thing, you can also opt for nonfiction audiobooks to keep you company as you drive. These will help you expand your thinking and learn new things as well.

Educated by Tara Westover

Narrator: Julia Whelan

Run Time: 12 hours and 10 minutes

This memoir has landed on several best books of the year lists, and follows the author’s experiences leaving her survivalist family at the age of 17. Despite not having any formal education, she pursues one at Harvard and Cambridge University.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Narrator: David Sedaris

Run Time: 5 hours and 53 minutes

This collection of amusing nonfiction short stories narrated by David Sedaris himself will surely delight you on your long drive.

Deep Work by Cal Newport

Narrator: Jeff Bottoms

Run Time: 7 hours and 44 minutes

Cal Newport explores the importance of focused work, which he calls “deep work,” in contrast to “shallow work,” which includes all the distractions of daily life. Return from your road trip equipped with skills to be more efficient and effective.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Narrator: Dave Ramsey

Run Time: 3 hours and 41 minutes

Have a fruitful road trip by learning how to give your finances an overhaul. Dave Ramsey narrates this book himself, and his track record of helping countless people get rid of debt and build wealth will give you priceless insights and practical tips.

Awakening the Entrepreneur Within by Michael Gerber

Narrator: Michael E. Gerber

Run Time: 7 hours and 33 minutes

If you’ve been longing to start your own business, check out this audiobook narrated by the author himself. With his bestselling book The E-Myth, Michael Gerber has helped many people learn the mindsets that entrepreneurs need in order to succeed.

Called to Create by Jordan Raynor

Narrator: Jim Denison

Run Time: 6 hours and 9 minutes

Jordan Raynor explores the power of creating businesses that serve others. He shares stories of some of the most influential businesses, including charity: water, TOMS Shoes, and Chick-fil-A, among others.

Listening to Audiobooks

The great thing about audiobooks is you can easily multi-task, making them the perfect company for driving on long road trips.

For more tips to get the most from your listening experience. check out our guide on how to listen to audiobooks.

Which books would you choose to listen to on a road trip? Share your picks in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post 21 Best Audiobooks for Road Trips: What to Listen to On Your Next Drive appeared first on TCK Publishing.

How to Listen to Audiobooks: 4 Tips for Effective Listening

Yen Cabag — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Audiobooks are the busy booklover’s best friend: when you’re too busy or tired to thumb the pages of a paperback, you can just press “Play” and have a book read for you!

While audiobooks are a recent invention, Thomas Edison himself predicted their rise back in 1877, after he created the first phonograph record and foresaw a time when people “whose eyes and hands may be otherwise employed” could listen to books.

In fact, audiobooks have come a long way, from cassette tapes, to CDs, and now to downloads or even online online streaming services.

How to Listen to Audiobooks

Audiobooks can make for some pretty fun and easy entertainment. But there are some tips you should be aware of to help you get the most from your experience :

1. Decide which types of books you want to listen to.

First, understand that some books are better on audio than others. The more a book leans toward entertainment value, the easier it will be to listen to as an audiobook. More technical books may not be as effective.

This means that from your to-be-read (TBR) list, you should pick the titles that you think will be best served by audio. Works of fiction are often good choices, especially if you can find a good dramatized version.

2. Multitask wisely.

Clearly, one advantage of using audiobooks is the ability to multitask while you’re listening. But choose your activity wisely: driving or commuting are among the best ways to make use of audiobooks, because you’re not really using your mind on another activity.

But listening to an audiobook and browsing social media on your phone may not be a good pairing, as whatever you’re listening to will likely lose your attention at some point.

3. Practice self-narration or journaling.

One proven technique for better comprehension is to summarize what you’re read for yourself or another person. You can practice this even when listening to an audiobook, by pausing every few sections and either summarizing everything you heard to yourself, or writing it down in a journal or notebook.

Alternatively, you can recount what you’ve heard to someone else, such as your spouse, a friend, or a colleague. (Plus, it might make for a great conversation!)

4. Adjust the speed to your preference.

Many audiobook platforms, such as Audible, allow you to speed up or slow down the speed of the narration. This helps if you find the reading too fast or too slow; adjusting the speed according to your preference will help improve your comprehension and keep you engaged.

Is Listening to Audiobooks as Good as Reading?

Some people think that listening to audiobooks is not as effective as reading. But the general consensus among people who have done both is actually that they each give the reader (or listener) an experience with the book (or audiobook), and that neither of them is better or worse.

One way of putting it is this: while they are absorbed through different senses (one through the ears and the other through the eyes), they both challenge your comprehension and expand your vocabulary by exposing you to a wide variety of words.

In fact, some advantages of audiobooks include:

You get to hear how difficult words are pronounced, skipping over the difficulty of reading unfamiliar words.
With the right dramatization of audiobooks, you can hear how different accents and colloquialisms actually sound, even if you’ve never heard them before.
You can listen to them even while you’re doing something else: this is something that’s virtually impossible to do with a physical book.

However, some challenges of audiobooks include:

You can’t highlight or write notes on an audiobook.
It’s more difficult to locate parts where something resonated with you.
It’s easier to space out while listening to an audiobook, compared with a book that requires your full attention when reading.

For a more complete analysis, check out our post on the benefits of audiobooks vs. reading.

Where Can You Listen to Audiobooks for Free?

You don’t have to spend big bucks to get books read aloud to you. Many sources allow you to download audiobooks for free, or for a minimal subscription fee. Some of the most popular options include:

Librivox

Librivox features classic books from the public domain narrated by volunteers. This gives you access to a wide array of free audiobooks.

The catch, though, is because it’s done by volunteers, sometimes it’s a hit-or-miss for getting an excellently executed story. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find treasures here: in fact, some volunteers have gone so far as to produce a dramatized version that will surely entertain you way past your bedtime!

Audible

You can access Audible, owned by Amazon, with a monthly subscription and the Audible app that you can get on any device. One advantage of Audible is that you can use Whispersync, which lets you continue reading on your Kindle without missing a beat.

You can check out our Audible review to get a better idea of this service. You can also try it for 30 days free to see if you like it.

Scribd

Scribd is another subscription service for audiobooks, with choices ranging from Fiction, to Lifestyle, to Science & Tech. You can use it on the Scribd app on any device.

You can also try Scribd with a 30-day free trial.

Audiobooks to Try

If you are just getting started with audiobooks, we recommend checking out some of the best books on audio.

In addition, here are some samples you can try. The first two are free on Librivox, while Harry Potter and Can’t Hurt Me can be accessed with a free trial of Audible.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery Dramatic Reading on Librivox
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle on Librivox
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling on Audible
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins on Audible

Listening to Audiobooks

By using these tips for listening to audiobooks, you can maximize your learning and get the most from your listening experience while also doing some multitasking.

If you’re curious about other ways to enjoy books, check out our guide to e-readers and their benefits.

When do you like to listen to audiobooks? Share your favorite listening routine in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post How to Listen to Audiobooks: 4 Tips for Effective Listening appeared first on TCK Publishing.

Audiobooks vs. Reading: Which Has More Benefits?

Kaelyn Barron — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Several years ago, the hottest debate among book lovers was whether reading ebooks was as beneficial (or enjoyable) as a crisp paperback or hardcover.

Now, that discussion has evolved to include audiobooks. But here the conversation gets interesting: whereas both ebooks and print books involve actual reading, audiobooks only require us to lend our ears in order to enjoy them. And that’s not really the same as reading… right?

As it turns out, listening to audiobooks also comes with quite a few benefits and might be just as effective as regular books when it comes to learning.

Audiobooks vs. Reading

Let’s take a look at several important factors to see how well listening to audiobooks stacks up against good old-fashioned reading.

Comprehension

When it comes to comprehension, a lot of what you’re able to absorb depends on your preferred learning style. Some people absorb more when they read or see information, while others learn better if they listen to someone explain a concept or narrate a story.

For some, reading words on a page might help them to focus better and absorb the scenes in their own way (like imagining the unique voices for each character). But with audiobooks, if the author contributes to the narration, you’ll likely get the experience they intended readers to have, since they’ll be in control of the cadence and tone with which the book is read.

However, we should also consider the fact that many people listen to audiobooks while multitasking. Playing a book while you’re driving, cleaning, cooking, or doing other things might lead to increased distractions, which means listeners might miss some details or subtleties that can actually make quite a difference in how they experience the book.

Overall, it can be said that your comprehension depends more on your ideal learning style and how many distractions you have, than it does whether you’re reading or listening to the words.

Connection

Whether you’re reading a physical book or listening to an audiobook, you’ll (hopefully) have some sort of emotional connection to the material.

The difference between reading and listening can best be categorized as a personal vs. social experience.

Reading often provides a more personal experience, as your own mind will be in charge of assigning voices to the characters and creating all the mannerisms and subtleties that comes with a unique human voice.

Personally, this is why I prefer reading books—and listening to an audio version afterward is kind of like seeing a movie after reading the book it was based on: if the actors don’t match up with the way I portrayed the characters in my head, the whole thing just feels kind of off. Not necessarily bad, but definitely something different.

Listening to audiobooks, on the other hand, can create a more social experience, yet still intimate, as you’ll hear a human voice talking directly into your ear, as if they were speaking to you and no one else.

Multitasking

Of course, when it comes to multitasking, the winner here is clear: audiobooks allow you to work on other tasks while listening to the book, as you would the radio.

Just imagine trying to cook, clean, or drive while holding a paperback in your hand!

However, what you gain in your ability to multitask with audiobooks you might lose in comprehension. As you’re doing chores or concentrating on switching lanes, you might miss some key details, or just have a less engaging experience than you would with a physical book.

Still, you can always hit the Rewind button and pick up what you missed, just as you can always flip back a few pages to reread a passage.

Memory

One of the proven benefits of reading is that it helps to build a stronger memory. But does it matter if you read the words on a page or listen to them?

In a 2016 study, one group of readers was asked to listen an excerpt from the audiobook version of Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken, while another group read the same excerpt on an e-reader. A third group read and listened at the same time.

All participants were then given a quiz to measure how well they had absorbed the material. It was concluded that participants were able to recall as much from reading as they were from listening.

Sharing

If you don’t post an artfully-construed scene featuring your latest read on your Bookstagram, did you even read the book?

Book lovers love sharing their finds on social media, from personal recommendations to their favorite quotes. So which platform makes for the most Insta- or Facebook-worthy content?

At first glance, it seems like hard copies and e-readers might lend themselves best to your book-themed photoshoots. And they certainly do seem to be the favorite of many bookish influencers.

But don’t count out the audiobook just yet! As you can see from the example below, you can still find creative ways to snap a pic with your audiobooks, or simply upload a screenshot of whatever you’re listening to at the moment.

@literaryjo often posts creative shots of her favorite audiobooks on Instagram.

Some services, such as Audible, also allow you to share short audio clips, making audiobooks just as shareable as their print and ebook counterparts!

Are Audiobooks as Good for Your Brain as Reading?

Reading has been proven to provide a number of benefits to your brain, and make you smarter overall. However, science also tells us that listening to audiobooks can also have very positive effects on the brain.

For example, according to a study by the Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, our brains are more likely to create meaningful imagery when we listen to stories, as opposed to reading them in traditional format. That’s because when we listen instead of read, our brains are allowed more space for their visual processes to do their thing.

In addition, audiobooks can also help boost your comprehension and vocabulary as much as their print and digital counterparts.

Audio versions might even have an extra advantage for those of us learning English as a second language or teaching kids to read, since proper pronunciation will be guaranteed.

This benefit can be enhanced by following along with the text while listening to the audio.

Find Books You’ll Love

There’s no question that both reading and listening to books come with some big perks for your brain and overall well-being.

Thankfully, a great read (or listen) is more accessible than you’d think! There are dozens of free and cheap print books, audiobooks, and ebooks out there waiting to be discovered! You can also sign up for our free book deals newsletter and get info on the latest deals delivered straight to your inbox.

Do you prefer reading or listening to books? Tell us why in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post Audiobooks vs. Reading: Which Has More Benefits? appeared first on TCK Publishing.

How to Become an Audiobook Narrator in 7 Steps

Yen Cabag — Fri, 22 May 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Audiobooks have become an increasingly popular way for people to “read” books. And thanks to the rise in sites like Audible, which offer audio versions of thousands of print books, even people who don’t enjoy reading can benefit from some of the best books listening.

Major publishers usually prefer to hire celebrities to do the audiobook narrations of the books they publish. But as major publishers no longer dominate the publishing world, options for audiobook narrators are now wide open.

Just as Amazon has become a leading player in print and ebook publishing, it also owns Audible, the leading brand in audiobooks today. And the great thing is that Audible invites audiobook narrators to earn through ACX, or the Audiobook Creation Exchange.

How Much Does an Audiobook Narrator Make?

Now, if you’re thinking of becoming an audiobook narrator to pay an upcoming bill, you probably would not make it. Why? Because it takes a bit of time to record a good quality audiobook, and it also takes time for you to earn money.

Here’s how the process works. When you first want to break into the audiobook world, you have two options:

Find your own clients
Work through a platform like ACX for selling audiobooks on Audible

Finding your own clients may or may not mean that you’ll get a higher pay, since you’ll be able to negotiate yourself. This path also requires so much more effort, such as building your platform and marketing yourself. And, if you don’t have any experience yet, you will likely have a harder time doing this.

On the other hand, working through a trusted platform like Audible means that you will be exactly where authors are looking for people to narrate their books.

Audible gives you 3 ways to earn money:

Royalty Share

With royalty shares, Audible takes 60% of the sale price of the book, and the remaining 40% is split 50-50 between the author and the audiobook narrator. That means you get 20% of the price of every audiobook sold.

If the book sells 100 copies at $10 each in one month, that means you get $2 per book, or $200 for the month. Not bad.

The problem with this scenario is if the book you narrate doesn’t sell too well, in which case your cut won’t add up to much. This is why many narrators don’t choose the royalty route when they have an option.

But, if you find a book that sells really well, this can pay dividends years down the road for an audiobook that you recorded over, perhaps, 30 hours for a 6-hour finished product.

Per Finished Hour

The second way of earning through Audible is the Per Finished Hour model. Just as it’s called, you get a fixed rate per “finished” hour. An average-length book usually has 5-6 hours worth of audio, which typically takes up to 40 hours to complete, taking into account the actual reading, editing, and re-recording of sections.

So no matter how long it took you to produce the final output, you only get paid for the actual finished number of hours.

For this type of pay, you normally set a price per hour that potential clients can choose from.

An advantage of this model is that you can charge higher, such as $200 per hour. But, if you don’t have any experience yet, authors may hesitate to pay such a high fee. Additionally, most budding authors don’t have much budget to pay a high price for their narrators.

Stipend

The stipend is a combination of royalty share and per finished hour. This is usually available for the best quality books, and you will need to win an audition for them.

What Makes a Good Audiobook Narrator?

A good audiobook narrator has the following characteristics that distinguish them from an amateur narrator:

Good recording quality: A good recording is one that is clear and does not have any white noise. This means that the best audiobook narrators need to have a conducive space for recording their work.

A good voice: A good narrator voice is enthusiastic and energetic, engaging the listeners and increasing their interest.

Effective characterization: It helps to think of audiobook narration as voice acting. What makes an audiobook compelling and engaging is when the audiobook narrator is able to give characterization to the characters in the book, including the narration. As Scott Brick, a narrator of 950 audiobooks, teaches in this video, you need to give yourself permission to infuse your readings with characterization.

How to Become an Audiobook Narrator

So how do you achieve these 3 key qualities when becoming an audiobook narrator? Here are the steps you can follow on your way to success.

1. Set up your recording space.

You don’t have to spend big bucks to get a space for recording, especially if you are just starting and on the road to figuring out if this is something you want to do long-term.

But you do need to have a quiet space to record, or else your recording will just get rejected over and over again.

How do you set up a recording space? Keep the following in mind:

Find the quietest room in the house, or consider a walk-in closet. You need to be able to block out all outside noise.
Find a way to deaden the sound. Deadening the sound means making sure every move you make in your space does not get picked up by your microphone. You can do this by adding cushions in your space, or even putting up egg-tray type insulation. Putting carpet or padding onto your work surfaces also helps.

2. Get all the equipment you need.

To become an audiobook narrator, you need the following hardware:

A computer: Either a desktop or a laptop works fine, and it also doesn’t matter what operating system you use. You just need to make sure, though, that the computer you use doesn’t have a fan that makes a distracting noise while you’re recording. Also check that your computer has a working USB port for your microphone to plug into.
An external drive: It’s always wise to save your recordings on an external drive, and be sure to back up everything you make.
A good microphone: Good quality microphones usually go for about $1,000. Be sure to find one that plugs directly into your laptop. The good thing is, the AudioTechnica or AT2020 USB+ has gotten good reviews, and they currently cost less than $200. Not bad for a newbie audiobook narrator.
A microphone stand and shock mount: A microphone stand will ensure that your microphone is just the right height for best recording. A shock mount will help your microphone not pick up on other noises you make as you move your stuff around on your desk.
A pop filter: This makes sure that explosive sounds like “p” get filtered out so that they don’t sound too distracting. You can also make your own using a sock that you put around your microphone.
Headphones: Headphones will help you hear how you sound. You can opt for noise-cancelling headphones to make the experience even better.
A book stand: If you’ll be using hard copy books, you don’t want to flip pages while you’re reading, as it will make a sound that will be recorded straight into your audio. Instead, make use of a book stand, preferably one that you can adjust to the correct visual height. Remember, you want the book to be at eye level so that you don’t strain your voice by bending your neck to look down on the desk.
A comfortable chair: Since you will be spending countless hours recording (an estimate of 40 hours for every 6 hours finished output), you will want to have an ergonomic and comfortable chair.

3. Get the software you need.

The good news is, many recording and editing software that you can use for becoming an audiobook narrator are free! To start off, you will need the following suggested software:

Audacity: This is where you will record your actual reading and also edit your recording.
LAME: This allows you to convert your recording on Audacity into an mp3 file, which is the standard format for audiobooks.
Levelator: This program helps to regulate the volume of your recordings.

4. Set up an account on ACX.

Since Audible is an Amazon company, you can easily sign up using your Amazon credentials. The first thing you want to do when you get on the platform is practice by recording a royalty-free or public domain book.

While you still have little to no experience under your belt, it will be hard for authors to pick you over perhaps a few others who have already recorded some books. One way to get around this is by practicing and building your portfolio using royalty-free books.

You can find a great variety of books whose copyrights have expired and have now entered the public domain. A great source is the Gutenberg Project. Take your pick among the different genres.

5. Give yourself permission to infuse character into your reading.

Some audiobook narrators enjoy reading the dialogue because they feel that it gives them a chance to play-act. But expert audiobook narrators also infuse character into the narrated portions.

Practice reading a book out loud several times before you start recording.

6. Edit your recording.

Editing may form the nitty-gritty of the audiobook production process. You can either learn to do it yourself, or start by hiring an audio editor.

First, you need to splice your files into the different chapters, as audiobooks are typically divided by chapters. Make sure you put 0.5 to 1 second of silence at the beginning and end of every chapter. This is also the time to add clear auditory headings if you were not able to include them during the recording process.

Another important task during editing is removing unwanted noise. iZotope’s RX is one program that analyzes your audio and detects unwanted sounds like clicks or clips, allowing you to remove these unnecessary sounds.

7. Upload your file.

Once you feel confident with your recordings, you can upload your file and start auditioning for other authors on ACX.

Earn Extra Income as an Audiobook Narrator

Becoming an audiobook narrator is just one of the many ways you can make money from home, but it’s not for everyone. Try it out part-time for a few months and see if you would like to do it as a full-time career.

If you do find that it’s for you, then you can start investing in more costly equipment that will also surely produce more quality output for you.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post How to Become an Audiobook Narrator in 7 Steps appeared first on TCK Publishing.