Yes, audiobooks are all the rage these days. Getting our stories converted over to that format is expensive and a long process. I have followed some of my Lively Ladies Literary Group’s adventures in getting their books published in audio format using ACX. Since they both use the same narrator, her problems slowed down the process a little bit but the majority comes from ACX itself. They are a very popular vendor for converting books into audio format and are owned by Amazon. I have found a few others but decided to try Findaway Voices that is partnered with Smashwords.
Findaway Voices was recommended by Smashwords (eBook publishing service) and they send out your finished audiobook to 40 different dealers including Amazon. I clicked on the link provided, signed up for an account, filled out all the required tax paperwork, and then linked them with my ePub version of my ebook on Smashwords. My book, Ten Ways to Market Your Book for Free, is only around 50 pages. According to their parameters, it would only take 40 minutes to read but you have to pay for the first hour anyway. I filled out the requirements form for the book in regards to the type of voice I wanted to use, the speed, accent, etc. and wrote out any hard-to-say words phonetically for the actor. There is other information you should fill out about the characters, the scenes, changing voices from male and female perspectives, and so on. Once you read through it, sign, and upload the document the program pairs you with their voice actors.
You should receive an email within a few days with a link to the listing of all the voice actors/actresses that are available for your project, a brief resume, a picture, and the total price of the job. Of course, there are samples of their work attached that you can listen to beforehand. Once you have chosen the right person and agree to their price they will download your book and create a Sample or introduction to your book. I listened to mine a couple of times. The actor did a commendable job and I okayed his service. The contract was signed, a day or two later Findaway Voices sent a countersigned contract and we began. The actor only took a day or two to finish the different chapters. Like I said it is a short book. And I downloaded and listen to each chapter.
Listening to the chapters with your book opened in front of you will take the most time. I encourage you to make sure you are absolutely sure it is recorded the way you want it to be and you are happy with the tone, inflection, and all the rest. If the actor missed a word or even a sentence then send them an email with that chapter name and where in that chapter they need to re-record. Once you are satisfied, there will be a submission button and you need to pay for the services. Once that has been done the software will put the recording through Quality Assurance (sounds only not content) and then you are finished with that portion.
Below I have included the dates and when each step was completed. There are a couple more steps involved but I cannot do them right now. If you would like to know the next steps and how to market please use my CONTACT US form and let me know. I will be happy to write another post with some helpful hints.
Timeline for Findaway Voices Audio Book Service
- Joined on January 7, 2021 – Uploaded book information
- January 14, 2021, Received Voice Actor Resumes and Fees (they gave me a wide range of choices both male and female with different prices for this project due to their needs and experience. ($150 to $300 an hour)
- Delay while I gathered the fee for the service before proceeding
- March 25, 2021 – Chose the Actor – Signed the Contracts Online
- March 31, 2021 – Received a Sample to Approve from Actor
- April 2, 2021 – Received Invoice and Paid
- April 8, 2021 – Received Final Sound Files/Reviewed and Approved
- April 8, 2021 – Went to Quality Assurance
- April 8, 2021 – Passed and Approved for Distribution
- April 11, 2021 – Able to Set up Author Direct Page to Begin Selling Audio Book myself
- April 12, 2021 – 3 of the 40 Distribution Channels already approved and has a retail link to share with readers.
Now, this experience may not be typical and I do have to wait the full 30 days to get links from all 40 of the distribution channels to share with my readers. But all in all not too shabby. They even have a webpage called Author Direct that you can sell your audiobooks directly to your readers.
My new Book Trailer with Narration quotes from audio book
