Audiobooks are rapidly expanding as more people listen to them instead of reading eBooks on their latest devices.

Although audiobooks aren't as popular as eBooks, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) reports that downloadable audiobooks are the fastest growing format, with a 28.8 percent increase from 2016 to 2017 and a 146.2 percent increase from 2013 to 2017. According to Pew Research Center, one in every five Americans now listens to audiobooks, up from 14% in 2016 to 18% in 2018.

The adaptable format of audiobooks provides a level of convenience not previously available. Gone are the days when listening to a 6-hour audiobook required swapping cassette tapes: the file can now be downloaded in minutes from Audible or your local public library. Storage space is no longer a concern.

Even if you don't have a radio voice, this all adds up to another excellent source of passive income for writers. As believed by book writer, In this article, we'll go over what you need to know before creating your first audiobook, such as how to write an audiobook script and how to produce the finished track.

Publishing an audiobook differs from publishing a print book or an eBook. You might think of it as simply a book that is read aloud, but it is more complicated than that. It necessitates some "adaptation."

First, ensure that your sourcebook is in the best possible condition. Before considering an audiobook "adaptation," the print book or eBook should have been professionally edited and proofread. This will provide a strong framework.

Why do you feel the need to adapt the book?

First, because what is great to read may not be so great to listen to. The narration should be enticing, not condescending; it should be flowing, not clunky.

Second, keep in mind that one page of a print book equals one minute of audiobook time. Readers may not object to listening to a six-hour audiobook if it is a book of groundbreaking importance to the scientific world and humanity, such as Stephen Hawking's works. Because you are most likely not an author of this caliber, be realistic and limit yourself to one or two hours of audio.

Third, references in a print or electronic book must be removed and replaced with a brief, readable sentence within the script's body. It would be impossible for audiobook listeners, for example, to click a link or imagine a chart or graph. You must make the information available immediately, with no additional action required on the part of the listeners.

Any visual images should not be described "as is," but rather modified to aid in the creation of a pleasant auditory experience. If visuals and images are needed to fully comprehend the concepts in the book, they can be included in a PDF companion document. For convenience, the URL address can be mentioned in the audiobook.

Data and statistics should be written in clear sentences, and bulleted lists should be rewritten to avoid the content sounding truncated. In short, converting a book into an audiobook necessitates empathy and comprehension on the part of the listeners.

The Script Writing Process

The length of the sourcebook and its "readiness" to be adapted both influences how long it takes to write the script for your audiobook. Allow a few weeks for script preparation before recording, and another week or two for post-production editing.

In general, when adapting and writing the audiobook script, you'll need to do the following:

Step 1

Determine whether or not the sourcebook is easily adaptable. This refers to whether or not it includes non-auditory parts.

Images, illustrations, call-to-actions, and reference links should all be removed or rephrased, as previously discussed. Footnotes and in-text citations should be seamlessly rewritten alongside the narration.

Step 2

Determine whether the sourcebook is of sufficient length for an audiobook. If it's too long, cut it down to fit in one or two hours.

"Shortening" can refer to summarising or removing specific elements, such as anecdotes and repetitions. An audiobook should be brief and easy to understand in pointers that can be grasped simply by listening.

Step 3

Make certain that the script flows well. While a print or eBook may already have a good flow, audiobooks must be "sound-genic."

Do you remember Rhonda Byrne's best-selling book The Law of Attraction? Because the concepts can be visualized photogenically, the video and audiobook are far superior to the print version.

Step 4

Prepare the script by adding voice marks. A single dash represents a comma, while a double dash represents a longer pause. More information can be found here.

Step 5

Convert the audio file to the appropriate format. Audible, for example, uses the AAX format. Others may be in MP3 or MP4 format. Check that your file follows the format specified by the publisher.

Making the Audiobook

If you have the funds, it is preferable to record the audiobook in a professional studio. The studio fee will be included if you hire a voice actor to narrate it.

Hiring a professional voice actor with experience narrating audiobooks may be the best option for you. Simply review audio samples and proposals from several voice actors to ensure that you choose a good and cost-effective one.

Prepare a one- or two-paragraph summary and ask the voice actors to record it. This way, you can tell if their voice is what you're looking for. Later, this brief audio file can be used as a sample on the audiobook's landing page. Professional narrators can be found on Voices.com and other freelance marketplaces.

You may need to do post-recording editing after the recording. You can do it yourself if you have the necessary skills. You could also hire a professional audio editor.

Another option, as Joanna Penn did, is to hire a professional producer. Andy Marlow, a professional voice-over actor, and producer, was hired. Hiring a producer allows you to delegate the entire project to him or her while focusing on your writing.

Audiobooks should be a natural extension for published authors and freelance writers. The Internet and modern technology offer a fantastic opportunity to sell narrated audiobooks read by professional voice actors. As the world becomes more digitalized and people have less time to read print books and eBooks, audiobooks are becoming increasingly popular.