When I first started the journey of self-publishing an audiobook, I knew it would be a challenge, but progress has finally been made. It is slow, but still moving forward, which is something! As I discussed in last week’s blog, the cover has finally been finalised. This was a huge milestone because it meant I was finally able to get the print copies designed and ready for the world. Proof copies have been ordered, and the paperbacks have actually arrived on my doorstep already.
Now comes the fun task of another full read-through to spot the last few things I will have inevitably missed. In fact, I know I have missed things as I have already found several. It is small stuff, but it is amazing how despite the number of reviews and eyes on the manuscript, I can still miss things. Regardless, that is not what this week’s post is really about.
The Decision, A Whispers from the Machine Audiobook
I want to talk about the audiobook I mentioned a few weeks back. I have been jumping back and forth on the decision to do one for a while, weighing the pros and cons. But the decision is finally made: Whispers from the Machine will have one.
Why did I decide to go for it? Honestly, the main reason is that the book felt incomplete without the full package: E-book, paperback, hardback, and audiobook. I have also had plenty of requests, of course. Everyone has their own preferences for how they consume a story. I originally was not even doing a hardback, but people like Rob said they really wanted one for their shelf. My sister wanted an audiobook, Lauren wanted an E-book, and so on. You have got to give the masses what they want, right?
However, I quickly realised that the process of self-publishing an audiobook is a completely different beast. A hardback or paperback version is significantly less work and less cost than the audio version.
Why the Market Matters
Beyond just personal requests, the market for audio is absolutely booming. I am sure I read somewhere that last year audiobook sales matched physical sales for the first time. Do not quote me on the exact statistic, but the trend is clear. It makes total sense; people are busier than ever. Where do people find the time to actually sit down and read a physical book?
Most people have deadtime throughout their day: things like the daily commute, sessions at the gym, or dare I say, watching their kids’ Sunday football league. In that time, they can easily stick on a story. Self-publishing an audiobook is about meeting the reader where they are.
It is a medium that works for a busy schedule and aligns with the general shift in how we all consume content. I am not making any comment here on declining literacy rates or the number of books people read; it is just a fact of our time that the way we consume media is changing. Self-publishing an audiobook at least bridges that gap for those who want the story but lack the stationary time.
The Investment and Discovery
My final thought on the “why” is just a feeling (I should probably do some actual market research) that audiobooks present a great discovery point for a new book. Yes, the road to self-publishing an audiobook is hard in terms of getting the right narrator and voice. If you do find that perfect match, though, I have a sense that on a platform like Kindle Unlimited or Audible, someone is more likely to take a chance on a random audiobook in a genre they like compared to someone picking up a physical copy of an unknown author.
The main issue, of course, is the cost. It is obvious, but paying for a good narrator and professional sound production is not cheap. Nor should it be. People should be paid a good wage for their work and their time. Still, self-publishing an audiobook is over £3k investment that I will likely not see a return on for a long time. But hey, that is what a passion project is about, right? It is not about the immediate profit; it is about the process and the quality of the final product.
The Search for a Narrator
So, who is going to do it? Great question. As always, this was a massive learning curve. I spent many hours sifting through narrator sample tapes, long-listing names and then short-listing. I only found out afterwards that I could have just done an audition on ACX and saved myself a lot of time! Anyway, it is what it is, and the manual search did lead me to an excellent narrator.
I am not going to announce the name just yet as we are still finalising the contract, but it is all looking very positive. I am very excited to be working with her. In terms of the timeline for the project, we are hoping we can get it done for April. Which would be amazing! I have actually nudged the launch date of Whispers from the Machine back slightly so I can align the launch across all formats at once.
Anyway, I had best get back to the final check of those print copies!
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