My New Year’s resolution: Get all twenty-one of my cozy mysteries into audiobook format. I’d been hearing about, thinking about, and planning to do this “one day,” and decided 2021 would be my “one day.” So what has the process been like from an author’s point of view?
I started the process by listening to an author speak on the subject at a local Mystery Writers of America luncheon. I took careful notes, spoke to a few authors who had been through the process, and checked out a recommended company,acx.com.The first step was to “claim my books” on the dashboard. To produce an audio book, you must own the rights to your book and upload a square cover.
Once the book is listed, the author has choices to make. First, you must either upload an audio version you have already created, or select a narrator. I needed a narrator, in fact, I needed several narrators, in order to accomplish my goal. This was a fun part of the process. I uploaded a few pages from the book I wanted to produce as an audition script noting what type and style of voice I had in mind.
Then, the fun begins. I received between 12 and 20 auditions for each book that I posted. The first time through, I weeded out the voices that weren’t a good fit; then listened multiple times to those that were. It was difficult to choose. Some narrators made me laugh with their quirky portrayals; others simply had beautiful voices. I wound up choosing both styles.
After selecting a narrator, the producer makes an offer to the narrator. Narrators are either paid per hour, or royalties are shared. Then, it goes to the company for approval.
I am well on track to having all books available on audio by the end of the year. Check them out on audible.com or choose audio format on the amazon.com product page.
www.audible.com/search?keywords=diane+weiner&ref=a_pd_An-Ear_t1_header_search
I started the process by listening to an author speak on the subject at a local Mystery Writers of America luncheon. I took careful notes, spoke to a few authors who had been through the process, and checked out a recommended company,acx.com.The first step was to “claim my books” on the dashboard. To produce an audio book, you must own the rights to your book and upload a square cover.
Once the book is listed, the author has choices to make. First, you must either upload an audio version you have already created, or select a narrator. I needed a narrator, in fact, I needed several narrators, in order to accomplish my goal. This was a fun part of the process. I uploaded a few pages from the book I wanted to produce as an audition script noting what type and style of voice I had in mind.
Then, the fun begins. I received between 12 and 20 auditions for each book that I posted. The first time through, I weeded out the voices that weren’t a good fit; then listened multiple times to those that were. It was difficult to choose. Some narrators made me laugh with their quirky portrayals; others simply had beautiful voices. I wound up choosing both styles.
After selecting a narrator, the producer makes an offer to the narrator. Narrators are either paid per hour, or royalties are shared. Then, it goes to the company for approval.
I am well on track to having all books available on audio by the end of the year. Check them out on audible.com or choose audio format on the amazon.com product page.
www.audible.com/search?keywords=diane+weiner&ref=a_pd_An-Ear_t1_header_search
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