Query - What is the best solution for Audio files for books?

[Graeme]

Hi All,

Open question: What is the best solution for sourcing, and establishing audible files for eBooks?

How are they made?
How are they marketed?
etc?

[JohnEgreek]

In my opinion, done the research. Audible.com is the best way. They do all the work and you split the royalty.

[Graeme]

Thanks John,

Much appreciated.

Cheers Graeme

[Melanie]

Audible have .ca, .uk and other areas too for their productions by various production houses.

For narrators/producers, you can listen to the samples on ACX http://www.acx.com/ in the language and genre your book requires. One can contact them directly on the message system or upload an audition (usually of no more than 2 minutes' duration). Once your audio book is completed and ready for retail, Audible distribute it for you. Amazon is the owner of these two companies.

On ACX, Royalty Share or Pay per Finished Hour of Audio or a combination of the two can be arranged.

Among the many production companies out there (not with a Royalty Share facility), try BeeAudio https://www.beeaudio.com/. They offer a full and excellent service for authors and small publishers.

[Graeme]

Thanks Melanie, great information.

[Quantum]

Although you will probably want an American male voice because Anton is the MC. Armitage does run a close second and she is English. I listened to some of Melanie's voice samples and they are just fabulous--clear and emotive. (Although I'm not too sure how she feels about channeling a vampire. ^_^)

[Graeme]

Well - there's another thing to think about - the voice of the narrator vs the character mix.

[Melanie]

Alex wrote: "Although you will probably want an American male voice because Anton is the MC. Armitage does run a close second and she is English. I listened to some of Melanie's voice samples and they are just ..."

Alex - thank you :) Vampires, elves etc? Not for me. Male human characters - no problem (especially if they're villains)!

Graeme, yes you're right, some narrators do a large range of accents too, others do only a few. Some (a few well-known narrators) just prefer to read without characterisation.