Audiobooks aren’t just a trend—they’re an essential format in today’s publishing landscape. With audio consumption on the rise, turning your eBook into an audiobook is a powerful way to reach new audiences, boost sales, and expand your brand.
In this ultimate 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know from recording options and pricing models, to AI narration and distribution channels so you can confidently make your move into the audiobook market. This post builds on two of our earlier guides from 2021 and 2022, refreshed for 2025 to include the latest tools, AI options, and distribution paths available to indie authors today.
🛠️ Step 1: Decide How You’ll Produce Your Audiobook
There are three main ways to produce an audiobook:
Option 1: DIY Narration (You Read It Yourself)
Narrating your own book is a popular route for nonfiction authors, where your personal voice adds authenticity. But fiction authors can do this too—just know that accents, pacing, and character voices can require more performance chops.
What you need:
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A quiet recording space
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A quality mic and pop filter (about $100–$200)
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Recording and editing software (Audacity is free!)
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Time. Expect to spend 2–3x your book’s length recording and up to 4x that editing.
Example: A 70,000-word book (~7.5 hours finished) could take 45+ hours total from recording to final mastering.
Option 2: Hire a Professional Narrator
Want a polished, listener-ready audiobook without learning the ropes of sound engineering? A pro narrator might be your best bet.
Where to hire:
Typical rates: $225–$400 per finished hour (PFH), depending on narrator experience and platform.
Pro Tip: Some platforms offer royalty share options, where you pay less upfront (or nothing) and split future earnings.
Option 3: Use AI Narration (Yes, It’s a Thing Now)
In 2025, AI-generated narration is becoming a viable, lower-cost option—especially for nonfiction or short-form books.
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Google Play Books AI Narration lets you turn your eBook into an audiobook with text-to-speech tools.
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Apple Books also offers AI narration in select genres, with improving voice quality each year.
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AI narration is fast and affordable (many tools are under $50), but may lack emotional nuance or character voice depth.
Caution for Fiction Authors: If your book includes dialogue, accents, or multiple characters, AI narration might fall flat—stick with human talent.
🌍 Step 2: Choose Your Distribution Strategy
Once your audiobook is complete, you’ll need to decide where to sell it. There are two key paths: exclusive vs. wide distribution.
📦 Option A: Exclusive Distribution with ACX (Audible/Amazon/iTunes)
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You’ll earn 40% royalties if you’re exclusive.
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ACX handles everything: production, publishing, and distribution.
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You’ll be locked into a 7-year contract (though some authors have had success opting out after 12 months).
ACX also offers:
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Royalty Share: No upfront cost, split profits with the narrator.
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Royalty Share Plus: Pay a smaller fee upfront, split royalties.
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DIY Option: Narrate yourself and keep full control.
Royalty Breakdown with ACX:
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Exclusive: 40% of retail price
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Non-Exclusive: 25% of retail price
You cannot set your own audiobook price on ACX—Audible determines price based on length.
🚀 Option B: Go Wide with Non-Exclusive Distribution
If you want your audiobook available on Spotify, Google Play, Kobo, libraries, and more—you need a non-exclusive distributor.
Top Non-Exclusive Distributors in 2025:
| Platform | Royalty to Author | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Findaway Voices | 80% of received royalties | Control pricing, 40+ retail and library partners, now includes Spotify |
| Lantern Audio | 75% of received royalties | Includes production services, distributes to 190+ countries |
| Author’s Republic | 70% of received royalties | Simple contracts, terminable at any time |
| Kobo Writing Life | Up to 45% | Direct upload; sold through Kobo, Walmart, Indigo, and more |
| PublishDrive | Up to 60% | Access to 400+ stores and 240K+ libraries worldwide, great for bundling POD |
📌 Hybrid Tip: Some authors publish to ACX non-exclusively (25% royalty) and use another distributor (like Findaway) to reach other retailers. This gives you more reach—without leaving money on the table.
💰 Step 3: Set Expectations (Time, Cost, and Royalties)
Here’s what to expect depending on your path:
| Production Method | Cost | Time Investment | Royalty Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Narration | ~$200 (gear only) | 40–50+ hours | 25–40% (ACX) |
| Professional Narrator | $1,000–$3,000+ | Low (you review only) | 20–40%, possibly shared |
| AI Narration | $0–$100 | 1–2 hours | Varies by platform |
💡 Don’t forget to promote! Use:
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Your author website
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Your email list
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Audio Thicket (Written Word Media’s audiobook promo service)
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Social media and podcast interviews
📣 Final Thoughts: Which Path is Right for You?
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Bootstrapping a first audiobook? Try narrating it yourself or explore AI.
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Got a budget and want professional polish? Hire a voice actor through ACX or Findaway.
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Want total control and global reach? Go wide with Findaway, Lantern, or Author’s Republic.
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Need help choosing? Reach out to a fellow author or indie publishing group—they’ve likely been in your shoes.
📚 Your Audiobook Journey Awaits
Creating an audiobook may sound intimidating, but in 2025, there’s truly a path for every author and every budget. Whether you’re ready to press record yourself or partner with a pro, the opportunities for reaching more readers—er, listeners—are better than ever.
Still deciding? Drop your questions in the comments or share your audiobook experience—we’d love to hear your story.