Create an Audiobook: The Author's Republic Studio

Now authors and publishers can produce and distribute audiobooks through our easy-to-use portal. We currently have two audiobook production options available: 

1. The Author’s Republic Studio: Hire a professional audiobook narrator virtually, and manage the production yourself.
2. Managed Production: Let one of our production managers take care of everything for you, from selecting a narrator to delivering the final audio files.

Another audiobook creation option is to produce it yourself. Check out our resources for author narrated audiobooks: DIY audiobook production.

Here, we’ll discuss hiring a professional audiobook narrator through The Author’s Republic Studio. As an author, you can choose from a variety of voices, in a variety of price ranges. Once you choose the perfect voice, your narrator will handle recording and editing the audio files to meet audio requirements. Compared to the do-it-yourself option of audiobook production, the narrator you choose to hire will already have all the appropriate gear, sound equipment, and a sound treated space to record in.

When it comes to pricing, what you see is what you get! We don't charge an administration fee or sneak in any percentage cuts. The amount you and your narrator decide on, is the amount you pay. Our platform helps authors and publishers find the perfect audiobook narrator to complete your project effortlessly.

Want to know more about the cost of audiobook production? Check out these blog posts:

• Understanding Per Finished Hour Rates
• Your Audiobook Production Budget

The Process

• Prepare your manuscript for audio
• Create a new production project
• Upload your manuscript and audiobook metadata
• Invite narrators to audition
• Hire a narrator
• Narrator records, edits, and uploads your audio files
• Upload your audiobook cover art and submit for distribution

1. Prepping your Manuscript

Prior to recording, you’ll want to take a look at your manuscript to ensure it’s ready for audio.

• Search for and adjust any references to page numbers or images by using Ctrl + F.
• Convert charts, graphs, and visuals to audio or refer listeners to visit your website.
• If there are sections of your book you would like to omit from the recording, remove them or make note of it and communicate it to the narrator.
• Pronunciation guide: As you’re reviewing your manuscript, make a note of any proper nouns or other words that are not listed in the dictionary. You’ll have to communicate the proper pronunciation to your narrator prior to recording.

• Preparing scripts for the opening and closing credits track: The opening track will at a minimum include the title, author, and narrator, which must all match the information listed on the cover art and in the metadata exactly.
  
  We’ve prepared a script template that you can use:
  • Opening Credits Script Template: “This is {Project Title}, Written by {Author Name}, Read for you by {Narrator Name}.
  • Closing Credits Script Template: “You have been listening to {Project Title}. Written by {Author Name}, and read for you by {Narrator Name}. Published by {Publishing Company}. Cover art by {Artists Name}. Copyright {Year} by {Copyright Holder}.

2. Audition & Hire a Narrator

Within the Audition Details tab of your project, you can set forth the specifications you’re looking for in a professional audiobook narrator. 

There are two ways to hold auditions within The Author’s Republic Studio.

Open Auditions: Invite narrators to audition and list your project in the public marketplace, where any of our 200+ audiobook narrators can view your project and submit an audition.

Private Auditions: Browse our professional roster in the Find a Narrator tab and invite up to 10 narrators to submit a custom audition for your project.

Narrators will respond with a custom audition, a Per Finished Hour (PFH) rate, and total production cost to complete your project. Our narrators have a wide range of price points available, but typically authors should expect $50-$400 per finished hour of audio.

Listen to auditions and choose a narrator based on your needs. 

3. Production

Once you’ve agreed on a PFH rate and hired a narrator we will securely hold onto your payment until the project is complete. Once you receive the final files, we will transfer payment to the narrator upon the next payment period.

Start by communicating with your narrator using the message box or via email. You’ll want to discuss the manuscript, and set forth any necessary details about the project timeline.

The narrator will begin their process to create your audio files including:

• Script prep
• Pre-production research
• Recording
• Post-production/editing
• Proofing and QA
• Final mastering
• Delivery via the Author’s Republic platform

Take a listen and approve the final audio in its entirety and confirm that the project has been completed. From there, the Author’s Republic team will review all files and contact the author and narrator if there are any issues. The next step is global distribution!