Sell your audio book on Audible, iTunes, and Amazon.
One way to do this is through ACX, and this is the vehicle I am using to create an audio version of Serpents Underfoot, which will be released at the end of this month.
ACX makes this easy to do and puts you in charge.
Here is an outline of the first 6 steps of the 10 step process for authors on ACX
Step 1: Confirm
Confirm you own thee audio rights for your book by checking your print book contract. If you own the audio rights, then for purposes of ACX, you are the legal Rights Holder.
Step 2: Create your Profile
Create your Title Profile by describing your book and the type of narrator best suited for it. You’ll then post a 1-2 page excerpt from your book to serve as the Audition Script for any potential narrators.
Step 3: Find your ideal producer
Listen to the auditions you receive. You can also listen to sample narrations and invite a handful of producers to audition for your book.
I took three scenes from different sections of my book totaling about 2 1/2 pages and uploaded it. I received 10 or 12 auditions from narrators to read Serpents Underfoot.
A few did not even read my sample, instead sending me links to other books they had read. I discarded them immediately. I wanted to hear my work being read in their voice.
A couple of others sent lists of their accomplishments and highlighted their experience, but again, I wanted to hear my work being read, so I discarded them as well.
Step 4: Review Auditions
This left about 6 or 7 who actually read my sample, and I carefully listened to the auditions they provided. It was a tough decision because several were really darn good.
Step 5: Make a Deal
Finally, I settled on Doug Greene. I checked and Doug had done about a dozen previous projects in various genres.
Doug had the voice “authoritative or military” sounding voice I was looking and really seemed to enjoy reading the sample I had provided.
We came to an agreement on schedule, payment, etc.
Doug is doing a great job and I am very pleased with his work.
Step 6: Get Started
Doug recorded and upload the a 15 minute test read of the audiobook, which I listened to and approved, providing my feedback. Of course, when your sample is approved, the producer will record the full project.
How you complete the project is decided by you. Doug is uploading each chapter as he completes it. This was actually Doug’s suggestion. This way, I can listen to each completed chapter to see if any edits are needed.
So far, there has been very little editing that needed to be done. And, I must say it is pretty exciting to see (and hear) this project unfolding.
I like this method, especially since this was my first time doing doing an audiobook.
You could certainly also just have the producer complete the entire audiobook, and review it all at once.
The Remaining Steps Will Soon Follow!
The remaining 4 steps are
Step 7: Approve the Final Product
Step 8: Distribute
Step 9: Promote
Step 10: Earn Royalties
I will follow up with an additional post outlining these last 4 steps once I have completed them.
For now, I will just say that ACX makes this process easy and while there is certainly an investment in both time and money, it looks like the process should allow for a good ROI if you have a good product and stick to the program. We shall see shortly!
Serpents Underfoot is currently out in Kindle, paperback and hardcover. I am excited to announce that it will, very soon, be available as an audiobook through iTunes, Audible, and Amazon as well!
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D.C. Gilbert 