Have an E-Book? Looking for an Audiobook Narrator?
Publishing an e-book is a massive achievement. I’ve done it over a dozen times, and that feeling of seeing your work go live never gets old. But once the sales start coming in, you might wonder what the next step is. For many authors, that next step is finding an audiobook narrator to create an audio version of your book.
This guide will show you how to turn your written content into your next stream of passive income by finding the right voice to bring it to life.
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Audiobook Sales Are on the Rise
From my own experience, the shift to audio is undeniable. My audiobooks consistently outsell my e-books by a ratio of about 10 to 1. This isn’t just a personal trend; it reflects a massive market change.
According to the Audio Publishers Association, audiobook sales revenue in the U.S. hit $2.22 billion in 2024, a 13% increase from the previous year. This data shows that more people are choosing to listen to books during their commutes, workouts, or just while multitasking at home.
A 2025 consumer survey by Edison Research found that 51% of all Americans aged 18 and older have now listened to an audiobook. That’s a potential audience of 134 million people in the U.S. alone.
Creating an audio version of your work is a powerful way to repurpose content you already own. You can reach a completely new audience and significantly increase your sales and revenue without starting from scratch.
How to Find the Right Audiobook Narrator
Finding the right voice for your book is the most critical step. You need a quality microphone, editing software, and a narrator who can keep listeners engaged. If you don’t have the equipment or expertise, hiring a professional audiobook narrator is the best path forward.
Related Article: Have You Always Wanted to Write a Book?
There are several excellent platforms designed to connect authors with professional narrators. Each has its own strengths, so the right choice depends on your budget and goals.
- ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange): Owned by Amazon, ACX is the most direct path to publishing on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. It’s a great starting point for beginners and offers flexible payment options.
- Findaway Voices: Now part of Spotify, Findaway Voices offers wider distribution to over 40 retailers and library platforms, including Kobo, Chirp, and Google Play Books. This is the best option if you want to reach the broadest audience possible.
- Voices.com: This is a massive marketplace for all types of voice talent. It gives you a huge pool of professional narrators to choose from, with various accents, styles, and languages.
As an author and audiobook narrator myself, I’ve learned that the production process is time-consuming. Recording is only half the battle; the editing, mastering, and formatting can easily double the time commitment. You have to ensure each audio file has the correct head and tail and is formatted perfectly for publishing platforms.
That’s why many authors come to me. I handle the entire process, narrating your book exactly as you wrote it and delivering a finished, high-quality audiobook ready for sale.
A Monthly Passive Income Generator for You
Just like your e-book, an audiobook can become a source of reliable passive income. You’ve already done the hard work of writing the book. Turning it into an audiobook is the logical next step to maximize your revenue from a single piece of content. An audiobook narrator would be a wise investment.
When you work with a narrator or platform, you’ll generally encounter two payment models.
| Payment Model | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Pay-for-Production (PFH) | You pay the narrator an upfront fee based on the length of the finished audiobook. Rates for professional, non-union narrators typically range from $150 to $250 per finished hour. This means a 10-hour book could cost between $1,500 and $2,500. You keep all the royalties. |
| Royalty Share | You pay no upfront costs and instead split the royalties with your narrator, typically 50/50. ACX offers a 40% royalty for exclusive distribution, so you and the narrator would each get 20% of the sale price. This is a great budget-friendly option, but you earn less long-term. |
The platforms I publish on handle most of the marketing, which is a huge help. However, you can always boost your sales by marketing your books through your own website or social media channels. Every sale adds to that monthly passive income.
Having multiple streams of income is powerful. It also solidifies your status as an authority in your field, showing you’re a knowledgeable author with published work in multiple formats.
Ready to Pull the Trigger with an Audiobook Narrator?
If you want to take your e-book to the next level, I can serve as your dedicated audiobook narrator. I make the entire process incredibly simple. You are completely hands-off while I handle the recording, editing, and production.
You provide the manuscript, and I deliver the finished, retail-ready audio files. It’s the easiest way to tap into the booming audiobook market.
Reach out and let’s get started today!
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