Audiobook creation guide

{{whyLabel}}: Reading a standard book layout is difficult for audio; you need a script that flows naturally and lacks visual distractions.

{{howLabel}}:

• Remove all visual references like 'see the image below' or page numbers.
• Replace charts or tables with descriptive text or move them to a companion PDF.
• Increase font size to 14pt or 16pt and use double spacing for easier reading on a tablet or screen.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A clean, text-only digital document optimized for reading aloud is ready.]

{{whyLabel}}: Inconsistent pronunciation of names, places, or technical terms ruins the listener's immersion and requires expensive re-recording.

{{howLabel}}:

• List every fictional name, foreign word, or complex technical term.
• Provide phonetic spellings (e.g., 'Hermione' -> 'her-MY-oh-nee').
• Record a quick audio reference of yourself saying these words if you are hiring a narrator.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A list of all potentially difficult words with phonetic guides is completed.]

{{whyLabel}}: Your choice dictates your budget and the technical skills you need to acquire.

{{howLabel}}:

• DIY: Best if you have a great voice, a quiet space, and time to learn editing.
• Hire: Best for professional polish; use platforms like ACX or Findaway Voices to find talent.
• Note: 2025 standards favor high-quality human narration, though some platforms (Google Play) now accept high-end AI voices.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A firm decision on the narrator is made and a budget is set.]

{{whyLabel}}: Background noise and 'room echo' are the primary reasons audiobooks are rejected by distributors.

{{howLabel}}:

• Choose a small, windowless room (like a walk-in closet) filled with soft materials.
• Use heavy moving blankets or acoustic foam to cover hard surfaces and corners.
• Turn off all fans, heaters, and appliances that hum in the background.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A recording space is prepared where a 30-second silence recording shows no visible spikes in the waveform.]

{{whyLabel}}: Professional audio requires specific hardware to meet the -60dB noise floor standard.

{{howLabel}}:

• Get a Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone (XLR is preferred over USB for lower noise).
• Use an Audio Interface to connect the mic to your computer.
• Install a Pop Filter to prevent 'plosive' sounds (hard P and B sounds) from clipping the audio.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [Microphone, interface, and pop filter are connected and functional.]

{{whyLabel}}: You need a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to capture and edit your files; Audacity is the industry-standard free tool.

{{howLabel}}:

• Download and install the latest version of Audacity.
• Set the Project Rate to 44,100 Hz.
• Set the recording channel to Mono (audiobooks are almost always mono to save file size and ensure focus).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [Audacity is installed and configured to 44.1kHz Mono.]

{{whyLabel}}: You need 'clean silence' to patch gaps in your narration during the editing phase.

{{howLabel}}:

• Sit perfectly still in your recording position for 30-60 seconds.
• Record the ambient silence of the room without moving or breathing heavily.
• Save this file separately to use for 'copy-pasting' silence later.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A 60-second file of pure room silence is saved.]

{{whyLabel}}: Platforms like ACX have strict requirements for what must be said at the start and end of the book.

{{howLabel}}:

• Opening: '[Title], written by [Author], narrated by [Narrator].'
• Closing: 'This has been [Title], written by [Author], narrated by [Narrator]. Copyright [Year] by [Author]. The End.'
• Ensure these match your cover art text exactly.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [Two separate files for opening and closing credits are recorded.]

{{whyLabel}}: This method allows you to fix mistakes immediately, saving hours of post-production editing.

{{howLabel}}:

• When you make a mistake, stop recording.
• Set Audacity to 'Punch and Roll' (Shift + D).
• The software plays back the last few seconds, then starts recording over the mistake seamlessly.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [All chapters are recorded as individual raw audio files.]

{{whyLabel}}: Distracting noises like lip smacks or heavy breaths reduce the professional quality of the book.

{{howLabel}}:

• Use the 'Silence' tool in Audacity to mute mouth clicks between sentences.
• Ensure there is exactly 0.5 to 1.0 second of silence at the start of each chapter.
• Ensure there is 1.0 to 5.0 seconds of silence at the end of each chapter.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [All files are cleaned of non-speech noises.]

{{whyLabel}}: Your files will be rejected if they don't meet specific loudness and peak standards.

{{howLabel}}:

• Apply 'RMS Normalize' to set levels between -23dB and -18dB.
• Apply a 'Limiter' to ensure Peak Amplitude does not exceed -3.0dB.
• Ensure the Noise Floor is below -60dB (use 'Noise Reduction' if necessary, but sparingly).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [All files pass a technical check for RMS, Peak, and Noise Floor.]

{{whyLabel}}: This specific format is required for compatibility across all major retail platforms.

{{howLabel}}:

• Export each chapter as a separate MP3 file.
• Select 'Constant Bit Rate' (CBR) and a quality of '192 kbps' or higher.
• Use a 44.1 kHz sample rate.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A folder containing all mastered, correctly formatted MP3 files is ready.]

{{whyLabel}}: Audiobook covers have different requirements than ebook covers; they must be perfectly square.

{{howLabel}}:

• Create a 2400 x 2400 pixel (minimum) square image.
• Use RGB color mode (not CMYK) and save as a JPG or PNG under 5MB.
• Ensure the title and author name are large and legible even in thumbnail size.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A 2400x2400px square cover art file is ready.]

{{whyLabel}}: Where you upload determines your royalty rate and which stores (Audible, Spotify, Apple) your book appears in.

{{howLabel}}:

• ACX (Exclusive): 40% royalty, but only on Amazon/Audible/Apple.
• ACX (Non-Exclusive): 25% royalty, allows you to publish elsewhere.
• Aggregators (e.g., Findaway Voices/INAudio): Distributes to 40+ platforms including Spotify and libraries.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [An account is created on the chosen distribution platform.]

{{whyLabel}}: This is the final step before your book goes through a 10-14 day quality assurance (QA) process.

{{howLabel}}:

• Upload each chapter file to its corresponding slot.
• Upload the cover art and the 1-5 minute 'Retail Sample' (usually a highlight from Chapter 1).
• Enter metadata: Description, Categories, and Keywords.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [The project status shows 'Under Review' or 'Pending Approval'.]