Audiobooks Services for Self-Publishing Authors and Businesses

AuthorImprints guide to audiobook options and services

Like with print and eBooks, producing a quality audiobook requires several specialized skills, rarely performed by a single individual. All audiobooks involve these four basic steps:

Recording
Editing
Mastering
Distribution

Who does each of these steps and what are the costs are the questions this page answers. We’ve divided options between self-narrated audiobooks and hired-narrator audiobooks. Each of these are further divided into how the process is managed—by an engineer you find, by AuthorImprints, or by yourself. By the way, we sell a Home Recording Kit, if you’d like to manage the process yourself and are looking for resources (see details below).

A note about recording

The acoustics of where your book is recorded are perhaps the most important part of the audiobook process, more important even than the microphone and software. Recording can take place in a closet in your home or at a professional studio.

Studios vary in what they offer, so you need to research this yourself locally. Some provide only a recording booth, some offer an engineer to be present while you record, some will do the editing and mastering for you, and some can do all three. The material below is organized according to these options.

In some cases you see minimum pricing, a price range, or TBD (to be determined). Like print and eBook publishing, there are many options and levels of experience, each with a cost. If you want to know how much a studio will cost, for example, you’ll have to google that information in your local community.

I. Glossary of terms

II. Am I a good candidate for self-narration?

III. Self-narrated: self-managed or engineer-managed

IV. Hired narrator: self-managed or AuthorImprints-managed.

Please note: The AuthorImprints prices quoted below are for projects that also include creation of a printed book and an eBook, as well as distribution management. Audiobook-only pricing is quoted separately.

I. Glossary of terms

PFH: per finished hour, a rate used by most narrators and others working in audiobook production. It refers to the length of a finished audiobook (i.e., fully edited and mastered). Narration averages around 9,300 words per hour. Divide your total word count by 9,300 to determine the estimated finished length of your audiobook, and multiply by the narrator’s rate to estimate the total cost of narration.
Equipment: typically, a microphone and any peripheral gear, including a pop filter, mic stand, and anything else a narrator would need to record an audiobook. Note that the cost for equipment listed below does not take into account a computer, which will be needed to record an audiobook.
Studio time: the time spent (typically hourly or half hourly) recording in a professional studio.
Narrator cost: the rate (usually calculated in PFH) a narrator charges to complete an audiobook.
Editing and mastering: Every audiobook will need to be edited and mastered after recording. An audiobook editor or engineer will oftentimes handle both, but you can also find editors and engineers to handle one or the other independently. Editing and mastering rates are usually based on PFH, or they’re based on the word count of the book, which is how AuthorImprints charges.
- Editing is the process of removing flubs, bad takes, and extraneous noise, and adjusting pacing.
- Mastering refers to preparing the audio for distribution by applying effects such as EQ, compression, and noise reduction, as well as ensuring the audio aligns with distributor specifications.
Project management: When noted, this is the AuthorImprints charge for managing the production process.
Cover formatting: This is the AuthorImprints charge for reformatting a print book’s cover to an audiobook cover.
Distribution: This is the process of preparing the audiobook for distribution to retail platforms like Audible. This can be handled by the author, by the narrator (if hired through ACX), or by AuthorImprints. We have experience with both ACX (Audible, Amazon, Apple) and Spotify’s Findaway Voices. Note: Beginning in August 2025, Findaway Voices will become Voices by Inaudio and handle distribution for all audiobook retailers except Spotify. Audiobook distribution to Spotify will be managed through Spotify for Authors.

II. Am I a good candidate for self-narration?

The choice to self-narrate depends on what kind of book you’ve written, and on your own voice and skills.

Genres that work well with self-narrated books are memoirs, self-help, and any nonfiction that is strongly tied to your identity—for example, a business book that uses case examples from your own business. In these types of audiobooks, it can be beneficial for listeners to hear your own voice.

Fiction narration is usually a more specialized skill and requires acting and performance. Depending on the book, different character voices and accents may be required. Or perhaps your novel has multiple points of view, or the narrator is of a different gender than yours. Any of these should be reflected in the narration.

If you’re considering self-narration, ask yourself these questions:

Is my voice clear and easy to understand?
Is my voice pleasing to listen to? Consider your pitch, tone, and vocal variety.
Am I able to put emotion and feeling into my words? (Listeners don’t want a narrator who is robotic or monotone, even in nonfiction.)

Am I able to commit to recording my narration? It can be physically demanding to narrate a book; the process will take multiple days and hours and will require breaks so your voice is consistent throughout the recording.

Want to learn more about the author-narrated process?

Take our free three-day email course! This course will cover every step of the audiobook recording process, including how to record, where to find editors and engineers to polish your raw recordings, and distributing and marketing your audiobook.

Also included are three free video lessons covering microphones, recording software, and setting up a recording environment.

III. Self-narrated

1. Self-managed, HOME

With this option, the author purchases the necessary equipment and downloads recording software to record the audiobook by themselves in the home.

Using a basic microphone, mic stand, and pop filter, as well as a computer, free software, and an adequately quiet environment, an author can achieve a quality recording for an affordable price.

Typically, the author will need to send the recordings to an editor and engineer (like AuthorImprints) to edit, master, and prepare the audiobook for distribution.

This is the simplest way to record an audiobook, though it requires the author to self-direct and relies on the author’s access to a recording space that allows for a recording that is natural and unaffected by effects like reverb or delay.

For clients choosing this recording option, we evaluate your recording(s) and provide feedback and direction for improvement.

2. Self-managed, STUDIO

Some recording studios will allow authors to book a room to use for recording and will leave the recording management to the author.

These studios may provide microphones and recording software, or they may allow authors to bring in their own microphone and computer.

This is typically less expensive than hiring an engineer to oversee the recording, but it demands the author be comfortable self-directing in the studio.

The advantage of this approach is access to a professional-grade recording space, in the event that a home studio is not practical.

3. Engineer-managed, STUDIO

The most high-touch option is to book recording time in a studio that offers an engineer to oversee the recording.

This is advantageous in that the engineer may read along as you narrate to catch missed words or other issues, and they may be able to fix mistakes on the spot—which saves editing time down the road (and you won’t have to return to the studio to re-record flubs!).

This will be the most expensive option, but it will result in a professional recording with minimal headaches.

Note that an engineer most likely will not “direct” your performance; this would be the job of an audiobook director. If you’d like a director present to coach you through narrating, this will incur a cost in addition to the engineer running the recording. Some studios may offer directors, but many will not—it’s a bit of a bespoke service.

IV. Hired narrator

If you’d like to hire a narrator, there are two options we recommend.

4. Self-managed: AUTHOR

It’s easier than ever today to find a narrator for your audiobook. Narrators may be found by googling or going to a narrator directory such as AudioFile, but most commonly, authors are going to ACX to search for talent.

ACX is Amazon/Audible’s audiobook service. It allows an author to find talent, solicit auditions from narrators, choose a narrator, and subsequently release the audiobook for distribution.

This is a fairly straightforward process: Authors can narrow down searches by accent, gender, voice style, compensation, and more to find narrators who suit their needs. Alternatively, an author may upload an audition script and solicit auditions from narrators.

Rates will vary widely, but the typical range you should be expecting to spend is between $200–$400 PFH. This rate usually includes editing and mastering.

Be aware that ACX is replete with many amateur narrators who may not be of the best quality, both in terms of sound quality and technique. Be discerning in your search, and seek second opinions. It’s best to evaluate narrators while wearing headphones.

5. AuthorImprints-managed

AuthorImprints offers management of the above process as a service. For a flat fee of $450 for project management, we will handle narrator research, outreach, and communication throughout the entirety of the production process. Distribution may be handled by the author, or by AuthorImprints for $300 which includes consultation about available distribution options.

Authors provide us with information about their book, including genre, characters, and tone, which we use in sourcing a list of narrators that best fit the project. We handle outreach and solicitation of auditions, and we allow the author to provide feedback on narrator auditions. We ensure quality and consistency in pronunciation, tone, and character portrayal.

As mentioned above, ACX features a wide range of narrators at varying skill levels and recording qualities. As experts in the technical minutiae of audio recording, AuthorImprints understands what to listen for when researching narrators, and ensures that narrators invited to audition have access to professional equipment and a recording space sufficient for audiobook recording.

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What our clients say

I recently recorded an audiobook for my new release, Pickleball & The Art of Living. I chose Carter Wogahn to handle the project and I'm very happy I did. He was prompt, professional and easy to work with. The finished product was just what I had hoped for — high quality, with seamless music and sound effects complementing my spoken word. I highly recommend Carter and would work with him again without question.
– Mike Branon, author of Pickleball & The Art of Living

Working with Carter Wogahn on the audio version of my book, The Adventures of Wilhelm – A Rat's Tale, has been the most pleasant and rewarding experience. Not only did he provide excellent equipment to allow for a smooth and comfortable setting for reading the text, but he also guided my reading with a patient and smooth pace. He allowed time for corrections and I enjoyed the process of recording an audio version with the highest quality for the listeners to enjoy. I highly recommend his professional services.
– Maria Ritter, PhD, author of The Adventures of Wilhelm – A Rat's Tale

Carter is a true professional and and so enjoyable to work with! I couldn’t be more pleased with the results of the audiobook he produced for me. I recommend him highly to anyone who needs the job done well!
– Janie Seltzer, author of Even If: The Transforming Power of Perfect Love

DIY recording at home? Get our kit

Consider our Guided Audiobook Home-Recording Kit, which provides all the guidance you need to successfully record an audiobook in your home or office.

This kit is $47. If you choose AuthorImprints to handle your editing, mastering, and distribution needs, the price of the kit is deducted from your final bill.