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!
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.