Thinking Audiobook Narration the correct way - Part 1 - Audiobook Narration Series

A slight mistake can cause ACX to reject your audiobook, forcing you to wait another six weeks after resubmitting. 

This isn’t an exaggeration—it happened to a best-selling Amazon author and happens to others every day.

Audiobook narration isn’t just about meeting technical requirements; it’s about doing it the right way. 

If you’re new to audiobook narration or finding it hard to master, you’re not alone. There are several steps in the process that need to come together smoothly.

From my experience teaching others how to succeed with audiobooks, I’ve created a special A-Z Audiobook Production Bundle using Audacity. I’ll share more about it later in the post.

Audiobook narration appeals to many, from aspiring voice-over artists and writers to book enthusiasts. 

For authors, audiobooks have become essential as more readers prefer audio formats. This growing demand has made the audiobook industry thrive.

While it may initially seem straightforward, audiobook narration requires careful planning and specific techniques. 

Many start with audiobooks as a gateway into voice-over work as they seem straightforward. But you need to know something more about audiobook narration or audiobook production.

Two common myths about audiobook narration are:

1. It's as simple as reading aloud.

2. It doesn't require professional voice-acting skills.

While there’s some truth to these beliefs, they’re not completely accurate. 

In this series, we’ll dive into the first myth to see just how simple audiobook narration really is.

As for the second point, while narration doesn’t demand the same voice-acting skills as commercials, it still requires strong microphone techniques and storytelling abilities. 

A pleasant voice helps, but what truly matters is your skillset, which you can develop.

So, is audiobook narration as simple as reading aloud? Not quite at the start, but eventually, you can reach that point. 

To succeed, you’ll need:

• A good-quality microphone and/or audio interface

• A quiet recording space

• Acoustic treatment (e.g., foam panels or soundproofing, blankets will also do)

• Audio editing software (like Audacity or Adobe Audition)

• Knowledge of audiobook platform standards (e.g., ACX, Findaway voices )

• Editing skills to meet these platform standards

While setting up equipment is mostly a one-time investment, mastering editing software and understanding platform requirements requires time and effort. 

Many people struggle with these technical aspects over a longer period of time.

In this audiobook narration series, I’ll share tips to help you navigate the process and improve your audiobook production skills. 

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your techniques, you’ll find useful insights here.

Next, we’ll cover ACX standards and how to set up your tools to meet them with ease.

Over the next few posts, I’ll cover — understanding audiobook narration requirements, like those from ACX. 

I will also talk about how to set up everything to make meeting these standards easy.

If you are looking for A-Z guidance and materials on Audiobook Production in Audacity, please have a look at the following Audiobook Bundle:

»> Click Here for A-Z Audiobook Bundle (Audacity)

I have not made such a thing with Adobe Audition yet, but to learn Adobe Audition well to get started in voice-over or audiobooks, you can check out the following Adobe Audition Bundle:

» Click Here for the Adobe Audition Bundle (for Professional Quality)