Self-Publishing Services With Audiobook Support

Audiobooks have rapidly become one of the fastest-growing segments of the publishing industry, offering authors a powerful new way to reach listeners on their commutes, at the gym, or during daily chores. For self-published authors, adding an audiobook version to their print and ebook offerings can significantly expand their audience and revenue streams.

While the idea of producing an audiobook might seem daunting, many book publishing services now offer comprehensive support, from production to global distribution.

Understanding Audiobook Production and Distribution

Before diving into specific services, it’s helpful to understand the two main components of audiobook support:

1. Audiobook Production: This is the process of transforming your written manuscript into an audio file. It involves:
   • Narration: Hiring a professional voice actor or narrating the book yourself.
   • Recording: Capturing high-quality audio in a professional studio environment (or a well-treated home studio).
   • Editing: Cleaning up the audio, removing mistakes, extraneous noises, and ensuring smooth transitions.
   • Mastering: Optimizing the audio levels, equalization, and overall sound quality to meet the strict technical requirements of audiobook retailers (e.g., ACX/Audible’s loudness standards).
2. Audiobook Distribution: This involves getting your finished audiobook files to major retailers and libraries where listeners can purchase or borrow them.

Key Self-Publishing Services with Audiobook Support

Here are some of the most prominent self-publishing services that offer varying levels of audiobook support:

1. ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange)

• Type: Amazon/Audible’s direct audiobook platform.
• How They Help: ACX is the undisputed leader for self-published audiobooks, as it’s the gateway to Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books – the largest audiobook retailers.
  • Production: ACX provides a marketplace where authors can connect with professional narrators/producers. Authors can choose from several payment models:
    • Pay-for-Production (PFH – Per Finished Hour): You pay the narrator an upfront fee (typically $200-$400+ per finished hour of audio). You retain all royalties (minus Audible’s share). This offers the highest long-term royalty potential.
    • Royalty Share: You pay no upfront production costs, but you split royalties with the narrator (typically 50/50 after Audible’s cut). This is appealing for authors on a tight budget, but it can be harder to attract experienced narrators unless your book has strong sales potential.
    • Self-Narration: If you have suitable recording equipment and a professional voice, you can narrate your own book. ACX provides technical specifications for audio quality.
  • Distribution: ACX distributes your audiobook exclusively to Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.
• Pros: Direct access to the largest audiobook market. Flexible payment models for production. Extensive narrator marketplace.
• Cons: Exclusivity requirement if you choose ACX for distribution (you can’t distribute through other platforms if you use them for production or exclusive distribution). Royalty rates on ACX (25-40%) can be lower than some aggregators.

2. BookBaby

• Type: Full-service self-publishing company.
• How They Help: BookBaby offers comprehensive audiobook production and distribution services as part of their packages or as standalone options.
  • Production: They manage the entire production process. You can choose to:
    • Hire a professional narrator: BookBaby facilitates casting calls from a pool of professional voice actors.
    • Narrate yourself: They provide guidance and tools for authors to record their own audio, and then they handle the editing and mastering to meet quality standards. They even offer services like providing recording equipment.
    • AI Narration: Some services (and BookBaby is exploring this) are starting to offer AI-generated narration, which is a more cost-effective option, though quality and acceptance vary.
  • Distribution: BookBaby distributes your audiobook to Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, and their own BookBaby Bookshop, where authors can earn higher royalties.
• Pros: Convenience of a managed service. Professional quality production. Wider distribution than ACX’s exclusive option. Higher royalty rates (up to 75% on their own Bookshop).
• Cons: Significant upfront costs for production services.

3. Findaway Voices (by Spotify)

• Type: Audiobook aggregator and production facilitator.
• How They Help: Findaway Voices is a leading alternative to ACX for broad audiobook distribution.
  • Production: They offer production services, connecting authors with professional narrators and managing the process, or you can upload your own finished audio files.
  • Distribution: This is their strong suit. Findaway Voices distributes your audiobook to over 40 retail, library, and streaming channels worldwide, including Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, Spotify, OverDrive (libraries), Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and many niche platforms. Importantly, they offer non-exclusive distribution, meaning you can still distribute to ACX/Audible if you wish, while also reaching all other platforms.
• Pros: Unparalleled wide distribution. Non-exclusive terms (ideal for reaching all markets). Offers production and distribution.
• Cons: Production costs can be significant if you use their service. Royalty split might be slightly less than direct-to-retailer platforms for some channels, but the wider reach often compensates.

4. Author’s Republic

• Type: Audiobook aggregator and production facilitator.
• How They Help: Similar to Findaway Voices, Author’s Republic focuses on wide distribution.
  • Production: They have a narrator marketplace and managed production services, or you can upload your own mastered audio.
  • Distribution: Distributes to over 50 retail, library, and streaming channels, including Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook Audiobooks, Kobo, Hoopla, and Libby. They also offer non-exclusive terms.
• Pros: Extensive distribution network. Non-exclusive. Competitive royalty split (authors keep 80% of earned royalties from all sales). Offers production services.
• Cons: Production costs apply if you use their service.

5. PublishDrive

• Type: All-in-one publishing platform (ebook, print, audiobook).
• How They Help: PublishDrive is designed for wide, global distribution across all formats, including audiobooks.
  • Production: While not their primary focus, they can guide authors through the production process or connect them with resources. They primarily focus on distributing finished audiobook files.
  • Distribution: They boast a distribution network of 400+ stores and 240,000+ libraries across 100+ countries, including Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, Spotify, and many niche channels.
• Pros: True “one-click” global distribution for all formats. No sales commission (you keep 100% of royalties after retailer fees), usually on a subscription model.
• Cons: Production services are not as central as dedicated audiobook platforms.

What to Expect When Using a Service for Audiobooks:

• Quality Standards: Be prepared for strict audio quality requirements. Retailers like Audible have specific rules for loudness, background noise, and formatting. Reputable services ensure your audiobook meets these standards.
• Cost: Audiobook production is generally the most expensive part of self-publishing. Fees are often based on “per finished hour” (PFH), meaning a 10-hour audiobook could cost $2,000-$4,000+ for professional narration, editing, and mastering.
• Time Commitment: Production can take weeks or even months, depending on the narrator’s schedule and the length of your book.
• Author’s Approval: You’ll typically have milestones for review and approval (e.g., narrator’s audition, first 15 minutes of audio, final mastered files).
• Cover Design: Your audiobook will need a square cover (usually 2400×2400 pixels or larger). Most services that offer overall design can create this for you.

For authors looking to tap into the booming audiobook market, these self-publishing services provide invaluable assistance, transforming the complex process of audio production and wide distribution into an achievable goal.