To voice an audiobook, you can hire a professional human narrator, record the audio yourself in a home setup, or convert your manuscript using automated voice software. Choosing the right approach depends on your budget, vocal skill, and target distribution channels, as platform guidelines dictate whether synthetic voices or human recordings are accepted.
What are the main ways to voice an audiobook?
Authors generally choose between hiring a professional voice actor, self-recording, or generating audio with automated voice software.
Hiring a human narrator yields high sound quality without technical editing on your part. You can hire narrators through talent directories or production platforms. However, working with human actors requires a higher financial commitment.
Self-recording gives you full creative control over performance. You must set up a quiet acoustic space, manage microphones, and master the final tracks to eliminate background noise and mouth clicks.
Using automated production speeds up project completion. Tools utilizing text to speech audiobook conversion turn manuscript files directly into mastered audio. If you want to use an AI voice for audiobooks, confirm that your target retail platforms permit synthetic narration.
How much does it cost to voice an audiobook?
Production expenses depend on whether you hire human talent, set up a home studio, or subscribe to automated narration software.
Professional human narrators charge $200 to $500 per finished hour. A standard 70,000-word novel runs 8 to 10 hours of finished audio.
For authors choosing automated voice generation, Audiobookery offers plans starting from $29 a month for the Starter subscription plan under a 12-month commitment billed monthly. This plan provides 500 pages of finished audiobook output every month, calculated at 275 words per page. You can produce as many books as you like within your page limits. Authors can also choose to pay $290 once a year to receive 2 months free, as detailed in the annual commitment option.
| Production Method | Pricing Model | Accepted File Formats / Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| Human Narrator | $200 to $500 per finished hour | Script review, audio production |
| Self-Recording | Equipment and software setup | Acoustic studio space, editing software |
| Automated AI Voice | From $29 a month (500 pages per month) | EPUB, DOCX, or PDF |
What technical specifications must your audio files meet?
Retail distribution channels enforce audio standards to ensure uniform sound quality across playback devices.
Standard specifications require audio tracks with RMS levels between -23 dB and -18 dB, peak values at -3 dB, and a maximum noise floor of -60 dB. Submissions should be encoded as MP3 192 kbps, with 1 to 5 seconds of room tone recommended at the beginning and end of each section.
ACX requires a human narrator: the only synthetic voices it takes are Amazon's own.
When you process an audiobook through Audiobookery, you submit an EPUB, DOCX, or PDF file. You receive mastered chapter files in MP3 format, plus one M4B file with named chapters, the written AI disclosure, and a deposit guide for each store that accepts AI narration.
Frequently asked questions
How can I test automated narration for my book before subscribing?
You can test audio quality by requesting a free sample chapter. By submitting one chapter of your own book in EPUB, DOCX, or PDF format, you receive a mastered MP3 file by email within 48 hours without providing credit card details.
How long is a standard novel in finished audio hours?
A standard 70,000-word manuscript generates 8 to 10 hours of finished audio. Professional human narrators charge $200 to $500 per finished hour, whereas page-based automated plans calculate output based on 275 words per page.
What files do I receive when converting a manuscript into audio?
After submitting an EPUB, DOCX, or PDF manuscript file, you receive mastered MP3 chapter files, one M4B file with named chapter markers, a written AI disclosure, and deposit guides for each store that accepts AI narration.