Audiobooks complement print and eBook editions by reaching listeners who consume books during commutes, exercise, and household tasks. Origin Books does not produce audiobooks. This guide covers audiobook production, platforms, and costs as a reference for authors building a multi-format publishing catalog.

Production Overview

Audiobook production involves three stages:

Narration

Self-narration works for memoir, self-help, and nonfiction where the author’s voice matches the content. Requires a clear speaking voice and comfort performing extended reads.
Professional narrator suits fiction with multiple characters and material that benefits from trained vocal performance. Narrator fees range from $100 to $400 per finished hour of audio.

A “finished hour” is one hour of final, edited audio --- not one hour of recording time. A typical book produces 6 to 10 finished hours (roughly 9,000 to 10,000 words per finished hour).

Recording

Home studio: A USB microphone, pop filter, acoustic treatment, and recording software (Audacity, GarageBand) produce usable audio. Equipment cost: $200 to $500.
Professional studio: Acoustically treated rooms, high-end microphones, and an engineer. Studio time typically costs $100 to $300 per hour.

Editing and Mastering

Raw recordings require editing to remove mistakes, pauses, and background noise. Mastering adjusts audio to meet platform technical specifications (consistent RMS levels, peak levels, noise floor). Professional editing and mastering costs $50 to $150 per finished hour.

Distribution Platforms

Platform	Reach	Royalty Rate	Exclusivity
ACX / Audible	Amazon, Audible, iTunes	25—40%	Exclusive or non-exclusive options
Findaway Voices	Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Scribd, Chirp, libraries	~80% of net	Non-exclusive
Authors Republic	Wide retail and library network	70—75% of net	Non-exclusive

Many authors use ACX (non-exclusively) for Amazon and Audible, plus Findaway Voices or Authors Republic for remaining channels.

Through ACX, you can offer a narrator 50% of audiobook royalties instead of an upfront fee. This eliminates upfront narrator costs but reduces earnings for seven years (the contract term).

Production Costs

Component	Cost Range
Professional narrator	$100—$400 per finished hour ($600—$4,000 per book)
DIY recording setup	$200—$500 (one-time equipment cost)
Professional editing and mastering	$50—$150 per finished hour
Audiobook cover (square format)	$0—$200 (adapt existing cover or commission new)

A full audiobook with a professional narrator, editing, and cover adaptation typically costs $1,000 to $5,000 depending on book length and narrator rate. Self-narrated audiobooks with home recording cost $500 to $1,500.

For a breakdown of all publishing costs including print, eBook, and audio, see Cost to Self-Publish a Book.

Audiobook Cover

Audiobook platforms require a square cover image, typically 3200 x 3200 pixels. Print book covers use rectangular dimensions (e.g., 6 x 9 inches). Adapting a print cover to square format may require cropping, repositioning elements, or creating a simplified version. The audiobook cover must remain legible at thumbnail size.

If you used Origin Books’ Design Services for your print cover, discuss audiobook cover adaptation with your designer. For print cover file specifications, see the file preparation guide.

Multi-Format Publishing

Print, eBook, and audiobook editions each require a separate ISBN for retail and library distribution. See the ISBN guide for purchasing.

A printed book serves as the physical anchor of a multi-format catalog. Readers who discover a book through one format may purchase it in another. Authors who offer all three formats increase the number of retail listings and search results for a single title.

For distribution channel details across all formats, see the Distribution Guide. For an overview of the full publishing process, see How to Print a Book: Getting Started.

Last updated: January 2026