Book Format: Audio

[Elle]

Has anyone had experience with converting their books to audio? I know there's an enormous group of dedicated audio book fans out there (I've joined a group on GR)and I'd like to explore whether this would be a good idea for converting my book The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis.

[Toni]

That sounds like a really good idea. I hope it goes well and I think it is definitely worth exploring.

[Elle]

Toni wrote: "That sounds like a really good idea. I hope it goes well and I think it is definitely worth exploring."

Thanks, Toni. At this point I know zero about it: who are tops in the industry, interesting newcomers, what about hiring a novice for the voice etc. The research should be fun.

[Scott]

I've been looking at this
https://www.acx.com/
It seems to be the easiest way of doing it, especially with no out of pocket! (woo hoo!) And, you get distribution on Audible.

[Elle]

Scott wrote: "I've been looking at this
https://www.acx.com/
It seems to be the easiest way of doing it, especially with no out of pocket! (woo hoo!) And, you get distribution on Audible."

I visited the address you provided, and I'm impressed enough with the video and what I read to want to explore further with a call. Got to make up my list of questions before I speak with the ACX professionals, but Scott, thank you so much for this very helpful information. I'm excited!!! I hope your project is going well, and thanks again.

[Philip]

Unfortunately it's only available to USA addresses.

[Ann]

My husband's a narrator for ACX and finds it very fair. If you have any questions from the narrator's perspective, I'll be glad to relay them.

[Elle]

Ann wrote: "My husband's a narrator for ACX and finds it very fair. If you have any questions from the narrator's perspective, I'll be glad to relay them."

Ann, I do indeed have questions. Here's the first one: My book The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis is first person present narration by a military brat, Gabriella, with Southern roots and accent. Gabriella's's age 12. (Other important characters are an African-American Marine Hawkins, his gf Katherine,an elderly neighbor Eula Mae, The General, Gabriella's father, a Marine Corps general, Col. Perkins, an evil man). Given the age of the narrator and multiple other characters (whose voices she would mimic?), what sort of VO would your husband recommend? Young person, older more experienced VO artist? I'd certainly appreciate guidance, and thank you so much for responding! Have a great day!

[Ann]

I'll ask him as soon as he gets home, but here's my (limited experience) gut feeling:
You'll probably need a female voice, at least it's my strong preference to have the main character be the same gender as the reader. I find it way too disconcerting otherwise. Beyond that, you have two options: Some narrators are very good at distinguishing between voices with easily recognized accents, etc. Other narrators are very good at reading "straight"--they keep their natural voice but just add slight inflection differences. Both are appealing. (I tend to go for the latter, because hearing males in what they think are feminine voices kinda makes me giggle and I'm distracted from the story, but my husband prefers the former when he's reading and listening, finding it easier to concentrate on character...both are valid.) There's are a couple of narrators whose work he finds phenomenal, and I'll get those names for you and maybe you could listen and see what you'd prefer, but they are males. What I'd suggest is to find a book with a similarly aged/gender main character, and listen for differences.
When it comes to $$$, most beginning authors tend to pay as a share of royalties, but you don't necessarily get the best readers for that. (His first two books were that way, and after 100+ hours and the purchase of a very expensive microphone, I think he earned something like $7.50 gross. But he was learning...) You can hold "auditions" on ACX, invite many narrators to apply, and see which one you relate to best. Oh, and it takes about four to five production hours to equal one hour of narrated voice--but pay is usually based (when not royalty-based) by the finished hour. So if you have a 10-hour book at $50/hour it's $500 flat, no matter how long it took the narrator to accomplish those 10 hours of reading.
Does all that make sense? Probably more than you needed! :)

[Elle]

Ann wrote: "I'll ask him as soon as he gets home, but here's my (limited experience) gut feeling:
You'll probably need a female voice, at least it's my strong preference to have the main character be the same ..."
This is such helpful information and it all makes great sense. I agree with you about getting a female voice, and also like you I prefer "reading straight" as you nicely describe it (it can otherwise sound affected, I imagine). I'm going to do as you suggest re: finding a female VO, by...listening! The $$$ information you gave me is invaluable. Maybe your husband feels he could ask some of the male professionals he's worked with about YA female VO artists (if he has time). Ann, thank you very very much!

[Ann]

Elle, I hope I didn't mislead you--he hasn't worked with any other narrators...it tends to be a very solitary profession (kinda like writing!). He goes up in his (reworked) closet to record, and I stay *very very quiet* working at my keyboard. [God forbid I should want to sew on the machine or empty the dishwasher! :)]

[Elle]

Ann wrote: "Elle, I hope I didn't mislead you--he hasn't worked with any other narrators...it tends to be a very solitary profession (kinda like writing!). He goes up in his (reworked) closet to record, and I ..."

Ann, so very cool that your husband narrates: wish I had the skill/voice to do that but . . .listen, you've given me more than enough great info to get me started. Will be in touch on this thread as I make progress.

[Elle]

Scott wrote: "I've been looking at this
https://www.acx.com/
It seems to be the easiest way of doing it, especially with no out of pocket! (woo hoo!) And, you get distribution on Audible."

Scott, I can't thank you enough for responding to me so rapidly with the ACX and Audible info. So very helpful. Invaluable.