Jacquelyn Middleton 🇨🇦📚Question for fellow indie authors --
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I'm thinking of dipping my toe back into the audiobook pool.
I published my first novel/audiobook myself via ACX. However, it was costly and hugely time consuming and I'm looking for alternatives.
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Did you use Scribd, Tantor, ACX or someone else? I know I could read/record my books myself but…yeah, that's not happening! Any advice, horror stories - pls send my way! Thanks!
Nathan Lowell (he/him) 📎I did 8 of my novels back in the day. Gave them away as podcasts. The audio is still out there floating around because it was licensed CC-NC-SA.
Eventually I had to choose between recording my books or writing new ones.
Podium invited me to join them and it was a good decision.
I also hired Artistic Whispers to produce the 3 books Podium didn't want. They went wide last year, but it's going to be a while before I earn that back. 1/2
Audio gets a ton of attention because so many people talk about it, but it's still a tiny market compared to text.
My audio to text is about 1 in 50 across my whole catalog. While I keep more of the revenue from the 3 I paid for, it's going to be a couple of years before I see that as a profitable move.
Luckily, I have the text editions to support me 😆
2/2
@nlowell So true about earnings. That's another reason why I didn't move forward with my other books. I thought I'd test the waters again, see what's out there and what I feel comfortable with (if anything).
M. Verant@JacquelynMiddleton I did an audiobook via ACX for one of my books. I found the process reasonably smooth, but I'm a techie guy who's used to managing projects, and I had a good narrator.
My usual warning to indie authors is how expensive it is (sounds like you know!). My audiobook is for a very successful novel. Even so, after two years the audiobook has only earned back 2/3 of the cost.
(Also: don't try to do it yourself! But sounds like you know this too 😃 )
Marketing thoughts next...
@JacquelynMiddleton Personally, I doubt any other service is magically cheaper to create an audiobook? ACX takes no fee; it's just a lot of work for the narrator, so it costs $$. But I admit ACX's UI is terrible.
I marketed mine Audible-exclusive the first year to get a higher royalty. Then sales fell off, so I went broad by adding Findaway. That has produced a modest second chunk of money.
Bottom line: with luck, the audiobook will break even in 3 years. Again, for a very successful novel.
@mverant Thank you so much! You've given me much to think about.
@mverant Yes! I haven't earned back the cost of the first one, thus my hesitance to do more. I have had readers (or should I say potential readers) ask about more audiobooks, so that's why I've been thinking about it again. I appreciate your input!
Keri Arthur@JacquelynMiddleton I self publish through Findaway. It can be upfront expensive if you choose an expensive narrator but there are plenty of good cheaper narrators on there. I have sold indie books to Tantor, but be aware they're US only distributors, and non US listeners will be annoyed they have no access. I'll be asking for my rights back when they come up. My audiobooks thru Findaway are now my 2nd biggest earner (Amazon still being one, tho kobo is getting close)
@KeriArthur Hi Keri. Thanks so much for your message. I'm waiting to hear back from Tantor, so your info about their distribution is helpful. I definitely have to look into Findaway since several of you have mentioned it.
@JacquelynMiddleton I had my agent negotiating for me. Be aware they start low and it can be hard to get the advance raised. I did get a good advance thanks to my agent but many don't.
@KeriArthur Good to know. Thank you.
Ty Pattersonaudiobooks have a significant upfront production cost. there might be authors who make money on every audiobook they have produced but i am not them.
an alternative: check out Google AI narrated audiobooks. They are free to make and can be sold on Google Play (i think).
note of caution: the narration is often robotic because it is software generated
@authortypatterson Thank you for all this, Ty. I appreciate it.