Audiobooks

Tembi Locke on Her Immersive Audio Memoir "Someday, Now"

Tembi Locke — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:26:06 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Tembi Locke on 11/24/2025 2:26:06 PM

Tembi Locke, New York Times bestselling author of the memoir From Scratch, returns to Sicily for a breathtaking, emotional summer adventure, as she faces the empty nest and an uncharted new chapter in her own life. Combining her own emotional narration with recordings from her time exploring the beautiful island, Tembi invites the listener to journey alongside her in this one-of-a-kind audiobook experience.

For more on this critically acclaimed writer visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Tembi-Locke/100351937.

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: fiction, Biographies & Memoir, Self-Help, Nonfiction, video

Tembi Locke on Her Immersive Audio Memoir "Someday, Now"

Tembi Locke — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:25:42 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Audiobooks by Tembi Locke on 11/24/2025 2:25:42 PM

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: fiction, Biographies & Memoir, Self-Help, Nonfiction, video

Audiobooks 201: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks

Derek Taylor Kent — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 14:54:41 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Derek Taylor Kent on 10/17/2023 2:54:41 PM

This session is a follow-up to "Audiobooks 101: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks for the Avid Listener".

In this follow-up session, bestselling author and audiobook producer Derek Taylor Kent guides you through the steps of how he has produced and published more than a dozen audiobooks, including Kubrick's Game, which won the Reader's Favorite Gold Medal for Best Fiction Audiobook of 2017 and was narrated by actors Jonthan Frakes and Yvette Nicole Brown. His audiobook for his middle-grade book Scary School was recently named best children's audiobook by Audiofile Magazine, and in 2020 alone, he produced, published, and marketed ten audiobooks.

Derek will provide some important industry updates for this category, and give attendees a step-by-step guide for everything you need to know to start creating your own audiobooks, as well as the best practices to have them made for you.

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audiobooks-201_5F00_Kent_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audiobooks201.mp4

About the Presenter:
Derek Taylor Kent is the author of 18 books encompassing a wide variety of audiences and genres. He has recorded/produced 15 audiobooks (12 in 2020 alone), including the audiobook for this thriller Kubrick’s Game, which won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Best Fiction Audiobook of 2017. The audiobook for his middle-grade book Scary School was named by Audiofile Magazine as best children’s audiobook of the year. Derek's middle-grade novel Principal Mikey became a #1 best-seller and was just released on audiobook. He recently founded the brand Whimsical World with his wife, children's author and ALC speaker Sheri Fink, with a mission to inspire, delight, and educate children of all ages while planting seeds of self-esteem and high achievement.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Jason Reynolds narrates his audiobook 'Ain't Burned All the Bright'

Jason Reynolds — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 14:25:33 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Jason Reynolds on 2/16/2022 2:25:33 PM

Go behind-the-scenes with Jason Reynolds as he narrates his audiobook Ain't Burned All the Bright.

Prepare yourself for something unlike anything for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right Now. Written and performed by #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds. Featuring a bonus performance of the text by an ensemble of young voices. For more on this author visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Jason-Reynolds/403685768.

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: fiction, video, Comics and Graphic Novels

Dorinda Medley Discusses Her Audiobook 'Make it Nice!'

Dorinda Medley — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 21:02:37 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Dorinda Medley on 11/17/2021 9:02:37 PM

Watch the Real Housewives of New York City fan favorite Dorinda Medley talk about her roller-coaster life and iconic Blue Stone Manor in this behind-the-scenes video from the audiobook recording studio. For more on this TV personality and her book Make it Nice! visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Dorinda-Medley/177629110.

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: Biographies & Memoir, Self-Help, Nonfiction, video

Audiobooks 201: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks in 2021

Derek Taylor Kent — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 12:31:09 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Audiobooks by Derek Taylor Kent on 8/26/2021 12:31:09 PM

This session is a follow-up to "Audiobooks 101: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks for the Avid Listener".

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audiobooks-201_5F00_Kent_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audiobooks201.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Audiobooks 201: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks in 2021

Derek Taylor Kent — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 12:29:12 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Audiobooks by Derek Taylor Kent on 8/26/2021 12:29:12 PM

This session is a follow-up to "Audiobooks 101: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks for the Avid Listener".

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audiobooks-201_5F00_Kent_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audiobooks201.mp4

About the Presenter:
Derek Taylor Kent is the author of 18 books encompassing a wide variety of audiences and genres. He has recorded/produced 15 audiobooks (12 in 2020 alone), including the audiobook for this thriller 'Kubrick’s Game', which won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Best Fiction Audiobook of 2017.
The audiobook for his middle-grade book 'Scary School' was named by Audiofile Magazine as best children’s audiobook of the year. Derek's middle-grade novel 'Principal Mikey' became a #1 best-seller and was just released on audiobook. He recently founded the brand Whimsical World with his wife, children's author and ALC speaker Sheri Fink, with a mission to inspire, delight, and educate children of all ages while planting seeds of self-esteem and high achievement.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Audiobooks 201: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks in 2021

Derek Taylor Kent — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 12:25:45 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Audiobooks by Derek Taylor Kent on 8/26/2021 12:25:45 PM

This session is a follow-up to "Audiobooks 101: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks for the Avid Listener".

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audiobooks-201_5F00_Kent_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf

About the Presenter:
Derek Taylor Kent is the author of 18 books encompassing a wide variety of audiences and genres. He has recorded/produced 15 audiobooks (12 in 2020 alone), including the audiobook for this thriller 'Kubrick’s Game', which won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Best Fiction Audiobook of 2017.
The audiobook for his middle-grade book 'Scary School' was named by Audiofile Magazine as best children’s audiobook of the year. Derek's middle-grade novel 'Principal Mikey' became a #1 best-seller and was just released on audiobook. He recently founded the brand Whimsical World with his wife, children's author and ALC speaker Sheri Fink, with a mission to inspire, delight, and educate children of all ages while planting seeds of self-esteem and high achievement.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Audiobooks 101: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks for the Avid Listener

Derek Taylor Kent — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:26:29 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Derek Taylor Kent on 8/7/2020 1:26:29 PM

Audiobooks are one of the fastest growing segments of publishing! The ideal medium for commuters and vacationers, audiobooks have surged in popularity and there are more opportunities than ever to affordably create audiobooks that millions of listeners will clamor for that typically earn you a far greater royalty than print and eBooks!

In this recorded webinar, best-selling author and audiobook producer, Derek Taylor Kent, guides you through the steps of how he has produced and published a dozen audiobooks, including Kubrick's Game, which won the Reader's Favorite Gold Medal for Best Fiction Audiobook of 2017 and was narrated by actors Jonthan Frakes and Yvette Nicole Brown. His audiobook for his middle-grade book Scary School was recently named best children's audiobook by Audiofile Magazine, and in 2020 alone, he has produced, published, and marketed ten audiobooks.

Derek gives attendees a step-by-step guide for everything you need to know to start creating your own audiobooks, as well as the best practices to have them made for you.
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audiobooks101CreatingPublishingandMarketingAudiobooks.mp4

Here is the handout that is referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audiobooks-101-ALC-Handout.pdf

About the Presenter:
Derek Taylor Kent is the author of 14 books encompassing a wide variety of audiences and genres. He has also produced 13 audiobooks to date. He received a three-book deal from HarperCollins for his middle-grade series Scary School and his picture book El Perro con Sombrero was published by Holt/Macmillan after a multi-publisher bidding war. It has been one of the best-selling bilingual picture books in the world since its release in 2015. His puzzle-thriller for an adult audience, Kubrick's Game, was published by Evolved Publishing and twice became the #1 best-selling book on Amazon and received a Reader's Favorite Gold Medal. He recently founded the brand Whimsical World with his wife, children's author and ALC speaker Sheri Fink, with a mission to inspire, delight, and educate children of all ages while planting seeds of self-esteem and high achievement. He taught writing and publishing classes for several years at The Writing Pad in Los Angeles. Discover more at www.DerekTaylorKent.com and www.WhimsicalWorldBooks.com.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Audiobooks 101: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks for the Avid Listener

Derek Taylor Kent — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:19:26 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Audiobooks by Derek Taylor Kent on 8/7/2020 1:19:26 PM

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Audiobooks 101: Creating, Publishing and Marketing Audiobooks for the Avid Listener

Derek Taylor Kent — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:11:12 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Audiobooks by Derek Taylor Kent on 8/7/2020 1:11:12 PM

Derek gives attendees a step-by-step guide for everything you need to know to start creating your own audiobooks, as well as the best practices to have them made for you.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Trends in Audiobooks, and How to Produce an Audiobook

Sara Stratton — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:40:04 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Sara Stratton on 3/13/2020 2:40:04 PM

Ebooks may be on the decline, but Redwood Publishing owner Sara Stratton believes audiobooks are becoming more and more popular. Readers are looking for a way to enjoy stories while on long commutes and living busy lives. Audiobooks are the solution, and the process of recording an audiobook is actually surprisingly simple, Stratton explains. Authors can find thousands of narrators-for-hire on ACX and select one based on gender, accent, and other factors. You can even search narrators who fit into your budget – some may take a royalty share in addition to a one-time fee. Once your audio files are uploaded to ACX, the audiobook will be available on Audible (once reviewed) and Amazon.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TrendsinAudiobooksandHowtoProduceanAudiobook.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Alice Hoffman and Judith Light Talk About 'The World That We Knew' Audiobook

Alice Hoffman — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 17:04:59 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Alice Hoffman on 10/7/2019 5:04:59 PM

Bestselling author Alice Hoffman and award-winning actress Judith Light talk about the audiobook edition of The World That We Knew. Hoffman has written more than thirty works of fiction, including Rules of Magic, Practical Magic, the Oprah's Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Red Garden, The Dovekeepers, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, The Marriage of Opposites, Faithful, and many more. For more on this author, visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Alice-Hoffman/1326627.

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: fiction, video, Mythology & Folk Tales, Historical Fiction

The Process and Benefits of Creating an Audiobook

Jo Furniss — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 14:21:45 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Jo Furniss on 6/11/2018 2:21:45 PM

Audiobooks are the fastest growing segment in the digital publishing industry. Readers enjoy the flexibility of audiobooks and are listening in the car, while exercising, cooking, doing housework, and more. Author Jo Furniss has been able to broaden the readership for her bestselling, critically claimed book All the Little Children, by offering the audiobook format through Amazon. Having published with Amazon's Lake Union Publishing, Furniss was able to work with them on executing the audiobook version. Her responsibilities in the process included providing story and character details so that the right voiceover actor could be chosen. With her audiobook, Furniss is able to reach busy readers that she may not have been able to reach otherwise, tapping into an expanded audience.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../The-Process-and-Benefits-of-Creating-an-Audio-Book.mp4

Tags: fiction, Action and Adventure, Subscriber, video

Stephen King and Owen King on Why They Love Audiobooks - video

Stephen King — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 14:35:52 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Stephen King on 1/19/2018 2:35:52 PM

Sleeping Beauties authors Stephen King and Owen King share why they love audiobooks. For more information on worldwide bestselling author Stephen King visit http://www.simonandschuster.biz/authors/Stephen-King/1666839. For more information on Owen King visit http://www.simonandschuster.biz/authors/Owen-King/45943939.

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, video

7 Things to Know Before Creating an Audiobook - article

Author Learning Center — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 19:51:06 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Author Learning Center on 7/27/2017 7:51:06 PM

There are many options for publishing your work and audiobooks are one of the hottest formats. Here are some things to know as you consider this popular market.

1. Know the market

Audiobooks are currently the highest growing segment of publishing. The worldwide market is estimated at more than three billion dollars, nearly two billion of which is the U.S. market. Audiobooks are great for fiction and are growing in nonfiction. But not all books are well suited to the format, including books that are full of procedures, technical jargon, and supporting images, such as cookbooks and how-to books.

2. Know the audience

Audiobooks are useful to people with impaired vision or limited reading abilities. They’re also fun when traveling, exercising, and working! Edison Research surveyed 2001 people and found that 43% had listened to an audio book, reflecting a strong current interest as well as a strong potential market. The study also found women (55%) listen to audiobooks more than men (45%) and 14-18% of people aged 24-65 listen to audiobooks, consuming an average of 6 books per year. Also, as you develop the audiobook, share samples and get feedback from your followers on social channels like YouTube, Facebook, etc. Don't forget to ask for feedback on the content, voice quality, and pace.

3. Know the industry trends

Current trends include car manufacturers offering free audio content with new cars, retailers bundling ebooks and audiobooks, music delivery services moving into audiobooks, better mobile apps, and growing international markets.

4. Know the averages

The average audiobook is 100,000 words, or about 11 hours long (55 words a minute, 9300 per finished hour). It takes four to six hours to produce one hour of completed audio, or 44-66 hours per book. Average sale prices vary by length. Five to ten hours is $15-$25. Ten to twenty hours is $20-$30. Over twenty hours is $25-$35.

5. Know the creation and distribution options

The field of retailers and distributors for audiobooks is large and growing. It includes players like Amazon Kindle Unlimited, Audible (owned by Amazon), eStories, Overdrive, Hoopla, Ubook, Audiobooks.com, and Storytel. Research these companies, including their delivery models, contracts, revenue models, royalty structures, customer reach, and submission guidelines. Then pick the best one for you. For instance, Audible’s ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) connects authors and narrators for free. But not really. ACX makes its money through royalties by keeping 60% of your book sales for the first seven years! The remaining 40% is split evenly between you and the narrator. They also require you to distribute your book only through ACX, which includes Audible and iTunes but excludes all other sites, including your own website. They have an option for you to pay the narrator up front, keeping the full 40% royalties, and allowing you to sell on other platforms. Pick a path based on sales targets and your needs around up front costs and sales flexibility. Up front costs for narrators are from $50-$400 per hour, depending on quality, experience, whether they’ll edit files. The average project is 50 hours, or $7500 at $150 an hour.

6. Know how to prepare a recording manuscript

To get the best recording you’ll need to convert your manuscript to a script. Remove digital content elements such as hyperlinks and “click here” references. Remove visual elements like captions, tables, drawings, and photos. Remove the glossary, footnotes, and the bibliography. Add opening credits with the title, author name, and narrator name. Add closing credits with those items, such as the copyright (year and copyright holder), and the production copyright (year it was recorded). Create a table of contents and record audio files one chapter at a time. Test read the script before recording.

7. Know if you’ll do the voice work or hire someone.

Some folks say that you only need a decent USB microphone and a free audio editing program to make an audiobook. This may be true if you’re a techie and only need something ‘good enough’ to get into the market. However, if your goal is professional quality, there are other considerations. Do you have the equipment (a professional microphone, a sound proof space, and recording and editing software)? Can you produce cover art that meets retailer requirements? For instance, Scribl requires images to be 300x300 pixels, but Audible requires at least 2400 x 2400 and only accepts JPG, PNG, or TIF files). Do you know the best bitrate for spoken word recordings and the best file format (WAV, AIFF, or MP3)? Do you have 66+ hours to create a quality recording, including time to practice, evaluate test clips, and learn the process?

If you decide to hire someone, there are resources to help you. Voice over work is a specific skill and hiring an expert may save you time, money, and frustration. With fiction books you’ll definitely need voice actors to portray the characters. You can find voice actors through services like Voices.Com, VoiceBunny.Com, Voices123.Com, and TheVoiceRealm.Com. The better sites provide work samples and let you search based on age, language, gender, and accent. Always request a 15-minute demo for your review and approval before the project begins. Insist on regular contact so you’re not dissatisfied at the end. These are professionals, so know your budget, scope of work, due dates, and payment terms. Another option is a production service, that sells a flat package rate for narration, editing, and distribution of physical CDs and digital files.

Sources:

http://www.edisonresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/The-Audiobook-Consumer-2016.pdf

http://goodereader.com/blog/digital-publishing/audiobook-trends-and-statistics-for-2017

https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/07/15/how-to-create-an-audio-book/

https://janefriedman.com/creating-audiobook/

https://self-publishingschool.com/creating-audiobook-every-author-know/

http://www.macworld.com/article/3020689/software/everything-you-need-to-know-about-digital-audio-files.html

http://robdircks.com/yes-you-can-record-your-own-audiobook-heres-how/

https://blog.acx.com/2015/02/24/five-things-every-audiobook-beginner-should-know/

http://www.karencommins.com/2011/06/some_simple_math_about_audiobo.html

https://www.ebookit.com/tools/bg/Bo/eBookIt/ucHgoPMz/How-To-Make-An-Audio-Book--A-Do-It-Yourself-Guide

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/65937-diy-self-publishing-audiobooks.html

http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2016/authors-can-you-afford-to-produce-an-audiobook/

http://audible-acx.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6656/~/how-much-will-my-audiobook-sell-for-in-stores%3F

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

7 Things to Know Before Creating an Audiobook - article

Author Learning Center — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 23:23:23 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Audiobooks by Author Learning Center on 7/20/2017 11:23:23 PM

There are many options for publishing your work and audiobooks are one of the hottest formats. Here are some things to know as you consider this popular market.

1. Know the market

2. Know the audience

3. Know the industry trends

4. Know the averages

5. Know the creation and distribution options

6. Know how to prepare a recording manuscript

7. Know if you’ll do the voice work or hire someone.

Sources:

http://www.edisonresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/The-Audiobook-Consumer-2016.pdf

http://goodereader.com/blog/digital-publishing/audiobook-trends-and-statistics-for-2017

https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/07/15/how-to-create-an-audio-book/

https://janefriedman.com/creating-audiobook/

https://self-publishingschool.com/creating-audiobook-every-author-know/

http://www.macworld.com/article/3020689/software/everything-you-need-to-know-about-digital-audio-files.html

http://robdircks.com/yes-you-can-record-your-own-audiobook-heres-how/

https://blog.acx.com/2015/02/24/five-things-every-audiobook-beginner-should-know/

http://www.karencommins.com/2011/06/some_simple_math_about_audiobo.html

https://www.ebookit.com/tools/bg/Bo/eBookIt/ucHgoPMz/How-To-Make-An-Audio-Book--A-Do-It-Yourself-Guide

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/65937-diy-self-publishing-audiobooks.html

http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2016/authors-can-you-afford-to-produce-an-audiobook/

http://audible-acx.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6656/~/how-much-will-my-audiobook-sell-for-in-stores%3F

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

The Process of Creating an Audio Book - video

Catherine Cruzan — Thu, 25 May 2017 12:55:18 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Catherine Cruzan on 5/25/2017 12:55:18 PM

Author Catherine Cruzan dives a little deeper into making an audio book. She walks you through the process of hiring a voice actor, step by step, from the initial search to auditions to recording.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheProcessofCreatinganAudioBook.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, video

The Process of Creating an Audio Book - podcast

Catherine Cruzan — Thu, 25 May 2017 12:54:36 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Catherine Cruzan on 5/25/2017 12:54:36 PM

Author Catherine Cruzan dives a little deeper into making an audio book. She walks you through the process of hiring a voice actor, step by step, from the initial search to auditions to recording.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheProcessofCreatinganAudioBook.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, podcast

Important Considerations for Making an Audio Book - video

Catherine Cruzan — Thu, 25 May 2017 12:51:43 GMT

Current Revision posted to Audiobooks by Catherine Cruzan on 5/25/2017 12:51:43 PM

Author Catherine Cruzan brings up a few things to consider when creating an audio book. She compares and contrasts the needs of fiction and nonfiction narration, and she explores working with your voice actor to set the pace of the story.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ImportantConsiderationsforMakinganAudioBook.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, video