Dana tucker teaching the art of audio recording, mixing. The first thing chris taught me was to download a free copy of audacity, and how to configure audacity for acx audio book recording. Producer will deliver the first 15 minutes of the audiobook to rights holder for rights holders approval by. An alternative to acx for audiobook production and distribution. How to distribute nonacx audiobooks author marketing institute. Punch audio is a hollywood based audiobook production collaborative offering firstclass retailready audio products at indiefriendly rates. But it wouldnt look as smooth for the marketing copy to say a crowdsourced program that puts authors in touch with audiobook readers, and vice versa, and provides a lowcost way of doing so. You can reach this level of quality by recording in your own home, but only if you can get rid of the various noises that may pollute the audio, which you may not even hear. This is a program currently run by acx to get narrators to submit auditions for the royalty split projects by far the most prevalent of offerings for audio book gigs. I recorded, edited, and packaged up everything beforehand, and as soon as my book went live on amazon, i started up the acx project and uploaded the files. With professional rates being typically several thousand pounds per production, you will need to sell thousands of units just to break even. Keep in mind that production for audiobooks is different than broadcast.
Review the basic steps for researching and preparing your performance with neil baczek of audible studios, plus learn shortcuts to. The indie guide to audiobooks on acx by sabrina chase. Jan 24, 2014 i logged in to my acx publisher account and claimed my edition, which was still flagged on acx as being a known public domain book. How much does it cost to turn your book into an audiobook. Why audiobooks are the next big thing in selfpublishing. Recording your own audiobook royalty free music, sound. This means that it is easy to use no matter what youre looking for on the exchange. If youd like us to let you know when we offer this class again, please add yourself to the alert list below. Our packages include everything you need to produce a high quality audiobook, and they are fully inclusive, based on the number of words in the book.
I suggest that you go with someone who has already voiced an audio. Authors ellen fein and sherrie schneider created an international sensation with their candid, timetested guide to. Price is determined by genre, length, complexity and delivery time. For example, audible has a rule for how many seconds there should be. This workshop will highlight the steps to successful audiobook publication through amazons acx platform. Chapter names for productions started before october 1, 2019 will default to. The best audiobook productions start with thorough preparation. And youll want to keep in mind that acx puts their own processing on your audio when it gets uploaded to audible, and it tends to bring out background noise while lowering bit rate. How i started my audiobook publishing company karen commins. For women too busy to read a book, much less meet a man, the audio version of the smash best seller the rules is a perfect solution. A simple onepage agreement is required with deposit, and then were ready to go.
The real answer is that it depends on whether you record your audiobook yourself or hire a narrator or audiobook producer to complete the production for you. If you already have an unabridged audio version of your book, upload it here to get it into top retail channels. Create and inspire with quality audio books crafted by john ystrom, a professional audio producer and recording engineer at ystrom signature productions in chicago, illinois. Our acx master class graduates have produced more than 3,023 audiobooks currently for sale on. Apr 26, 2014 british author roz morris describes how to turn selfpublished books into audiobooks via amazon audibles acx service a great way to reach new readers and to take advantage of the growing global market for audiobooks. Audiobook specialties are either a standard payfor production, with firstrate qc and fast turnaround, or what is referred to as royalty share plus.
Thanks to an email from a reader, this page has been revised to include that files should be saved in wav format while working with them, even if your final upload to audible is mp3. But how does the selfpublished author get into audio, and what are the keys to production and distribution of your audiobook. Earlier this year, acx announced that it was going to accept titles from uk authors as well as those in the us. These successful audiobook narrators explain how they learned to record, edit and master audio books to meet acx standards from their home studios. I am also trained in multiple different dialects, with the skills to learn more. We not only produce many audiobooks each year from our own digital studio, but we also create internet radio programming, corporate and internet videos, book trailers and other multimedia marketing tools. Registration for the 2020 acx master class has closed. I logged in to my acx publisher account and claimed my edition, which was still flagged on acx as being a known public domain book.
Mar 06, 20 how to record, produce, and distribute audiobooks with j. How to record and create your own audio book for acx audible. If youd like us to let you know when we offer this class again, please add yourself to. Daniel sawyer via the creative penn in the literary world, its not all about paper and ebooks. Rules was cynthia lords first novel, and has won two awards.
Here you often work as part of a team at a production house. At speakeasy audio we focus on everyone doing the job they know best. Images must be a true square, not a rectangular image with borders. How to record and create your own audio book for acx. Rights holders and producers are solely responsible for their own. Indie acx and others audiobook narrators and producers has 6,168 members. Oct 01, 2015 the best audiobook productions start with thorough preparation. Even if you are a selfpublished author, you can get an audio book of your book made. Can i make changes to my chapter names after my audiobook has been.
A powerful story can change the world, and i look forward to being the voice to bring some of these stories to life for an audio book audience. In 2017 many people are getting into the audio book narration profession. Apr 18, 2017 audio books how to get your audio approved by acx and amazon. Acx audiobook narrators training for recording at home. Edge studio voice over production for audiobook voice over.
New york in accordance with the rules and procedures of such courts. Keary taylor talks about the making of the audio book of both what i didnt say and the bane. Imagine your book enjoyed by listeners all over the world, distributed by audible, the worlds leading retailer of digital audio books, through outlets such as, amazon, and itunes. Acx has sections that cater separately to those that need their books converted to audio, and those that can do the conversion. Depending on whether you are using windows or mac, where the menu choices or buttons are will be a little different but basically you need to. Audio books, audio producer, recording engineer chicago, il. There are many tools available to perform this task, though some are easier to use and produce more reliable results than others. Lets say you want to be on acx but youre in a country that doesnt allow for it. The vast majority of audiobooks are published on the audiobook creation exchange acxmore on this laterand thats one place to find narrators.
The next workshop on how to become an audiobook narrator will be february 10th. Encoding files to 192kbps mp3 introduction the last step in preparing your audio files for upload to acx is encoding them as 192kbps mp3s, our required format. A place for people to discuss all things related to narrating and producing. Oct 09, 2011 jeffrey kafer on 8 reasons why youre not landing acx audiobook gigs audiobook creation exchange blog acx october 14th, 2011 at 12. If the aim is to make a return from your audio book you will need to sell enough product to recoup the investment before making a profit. Audio books how to get your audio approved by acx and. She then went on to write three more young adult books. How to make an audiobook on acx for amazon audible full tutorial in this video, i give a stepbystep tutorial on how to create an audiobook through amazons audiobook creation exchange acx. By carefully choosing your software, adopting a streamlined work flow, communicating with rights holders and your team, and finishing your paperwork, you too will be on your way to becoming a successful acx audiobook producer. What are alternative services to acx for making audio books. If youre selfpublished say, through kindle direct publishing or createspace, youve retained your audio rights. I clicked the link to claim the book and wrote the message explaining that i had created a different kindle version.
Audiobook recording and production using curated, professional voice overs and audio producers to deliver your audio product to a high standard. With acx you can distribute to amazon, audible and itunes. Jul, 2016 another format, the m4b format, is designed specifically for audio books and has bookmarking capability, which allows the listener to stop listening to the audio book and later resume listening from the same point, even if the device was shut down. Acx is audibles owned by amazon fullservice audiobook production and distribution arm. Online event registration audiobook production through acx. Happily, acx has an audiobook exchange where you can listen to tons of voices whenever you want, and then whittle down your choices. An alternative to acx for audiobook production and. Verify rights confirm you have audio rights for your book by checking your print or ebook book contract.
May 20, 2014 russell phillips recently published an audio book, having used acx which started accepting uk authors in april to find a narrator. They should know the production process from a to z, and may include post production and mastering in their fee. We not only produce many audiobooks each year from our own digital studio, but we also create internet radio programming, corporate and internet videos, book trailers and. Russell phillips recently published an audio book, having used acx which started accepting uk authors in april to find a narrator. The founder, rich germaine, is a 30year media professional with experience in radio, tv and film. Audiobook specialties are either a standard pay for production, with firstrate qc and fast turnaround, or what is referred to as royalty share plus. Visit acx university to learn how to produce, publish, and market greatsounding audiobooks. How to record, produce and distribute audiobooks with j. Audiobook production with acx can i choose the narrator. Rules for medical practice are much more serious and necessary than. When i heard a little about selfpublishing audiobooks, though, thats when i really.
The acx quality assurance team may reject titles that do not meet these standards, and their retail release may be delayed. As they clicked to indicate a page turn, the narrator would read the following page. Spoken credits at the start and finish of the book. Authors ellen fein and sherrie schneider created an international sensation with their candid, timetested guide to attracting, meeting, and capturing the heart of mr. As acx simply rejects any tiny thing that doesnt comply with their requirements, its wise to play safe. We work with you from early conception of your audiobook to finished product. I had spent about 6 months trying to figure all of this stuff out on my own. With target audiences including diehard multitaskers, longdistance commuters, and the visually impaired, audiobooks are a fantastic branch of the literary industry to explore. We manage the whole recording and production process, you just need to listen to your book as it comes to life. Yes, in order to create your audiobook through acxaudible, you need to have the book for sale on amazon. The requirements concerning the acx, as well as other audio book distributors are both extensive as well as easy to accomplish if you can grasp the basic concepts of audio requirements. Jeffrey kafer on 8 reasons why youre not landing acx audiobook gigs audiobook creation exchange blog acx october 14th, 2011 at 12. Jun 25, 20 even if you are a selfpublished author, you can get an audio book of your book made.
Cover art requirements no smaller than 2400 x 2400 pixels. British author roz morris describes how to turn selfpublished books into audiobooks via amazon audibles acx service a great way to reach new readers and to take advantage of the growing global market for audiobooks. There are specific technical requirements to publish audio on acx so that the customer has the best experience possible. From the ins and outs of acx, to how to actually make money recording audiobooks, to choosing the right equipment and software, to mic technique, to easily editing your audio, the acx master class taught me everything i needed to know to be a successful audiobook narrator. I feel as if this book if very eye opening but also heart warming to any reader. How to record your own audiobooks for acx the creative penn. The indie guide to audiobooks on acx by sabrina chase posted on march 25, 20 march 25, 20 by accordingtohoyt interestingly i was just telling dan this morning that its not a good use of my time to learn to do audio narration and record my novels but i will do my short stories.
Whether youre looking to have a professional narrator voice your project, or you are going to narrate it yourself, we will guide you through the entire process. Further, if you enter into an acx audiobook production agreement with a producer. Mar 16, 2017 by carefully choosing your software, adopting a streamlined work flow, communicating with rights holders and your team, and finishing your paperwork, you too will be on your way to becoming a successful acx audiobook producer. Our distribution rights to the audiobook are either exclusive or. The largest independent music store in the world it sells music, but it also lets you do audio books. Acx, or the audiobook creation exchange, is a company dedicated to the production of audiobooks. Creating audio books with acx guest post by russell. You have 3 options for audiobook production and distribution with acx. Acx master class an audible approved producers insider. Audio books how to get your audio approved by acx and amazon. The idea of the project was to allow children to follow along as they are read a book online. Our distribution of the audiobook is either exclusive or nonexclusive, as indicated.
I aim to narrate stories that excite, entertain, and inspire. Audiobooks uploaded to acx must adhere to the following requirements. How to record, produce, and distribute audiobooks with j. I am musicianwriter from austria who wants to publish his last audio book in the us, and i fell over this great. Jun 07, 2016 an alternative to acx for audiobook production and distribution jane friedman audiobooks are experiencing some of the best growth in the book publishing industry. Our client needed voice audio for a web series of childrens books. How to produce an audiobook in 7 steps libby fischer hellmann. An alternative to acx for audiobook production and distribution jane friedman audiobooks are experiencing some of the best growth in the book publishing industry. If i had bought the audio rights to a contemporary book, i believe i would start with this step. Audiobooks uploaded to acx must adhere to the following requirements to help ensure customers get a great listen. The client agrees to allow the publisher an exclusive right to publish and sell rights to title of the audiobook, an audio recording of a work in the public domain or to which the client can confirm that they hold publishing rights, as an audiobook produced by the client via distribution channels available through audible, inc. My own audio debut came on the birth of acx, an audible selfpublishing. Hello, my name is dana and i have been recording the spoken word for 45 years.