How to Turn Your Book Into an Audiobook: A Complete Guide for Self-Published Authors
Last week, I had a pile of dishes in the sink but my phone was out of battery AND I couldn’t find my AirPods. The double whammy. I don’t know about you, but I physically can’t do dishes without listening to something.
When it was all said and done, I think I spent more time looking for my AirPods than the time it actually took to wash the dishes.
Anyways, I usually listen to podcasts. But I had this moment last week where the podcast episodes felt repetitive. Another interview with a guest. Some of the same talking points. And I mean how many NBA Mock Drafts can a guy listen to?
That’s when it hit me, with a podcast, the host has been planning the episode for what, a week, maybe? Maybe just a few days? Compare that to an audiobook. An audiobook, the author put years of thought and planning into their work. Why am I not using these 30-minute dishwashing windows to listen to a biography, or hear what Michael Pollan’s been researching, or spend a little time in Hogwarts?
Audiobooks reach people like me who primarily read physical books, but are looking to mix things up during chores or on the commute. But they also reach people who aren't traditional readers. That's not a small thing.
So if you've got a book out, or you're almost there, here's how the process of turning it into an audiobook actually works, from manuscript to the moment it goes live on Audible.
Step One: Prepare the Manuscript for Audio
Audio is a different experience, and a few things need to be considered before anyone opens a microphone.
Visual elements don't translate. Charts, tables, graphs, footnotes, numbered references: all of these create awkward audio moments if they're not handled deliberately. The manuscript review stage involves going through the book and making decisions. Does this table need to be described? Does this footnote get read inline? Do these chapter numbers get spoken aloud or skipped?
Pronunciation decisions also get made here. Character names. Place names. Industry terms. Any word where the narrator could reasonably guess wrong needs a note. This is especially important for nonfiction authors in technical fields, and for fiction writers with invented names or languages.
This stage matters more than most authors expect. A manuscript that's been properly prepared produces a cleaner recording with fewer re-takes.
Step Two: Narration
This is the decision most authors stall on. Understandably so.
There are three options: narrate the book yourself, hire a professional narrator, or use AI-assisted narration. Each has real trade-offs, and the right answer depends on your book, your voice, and your goals. (More on this in a later post, because it deserves its own space.)
For now: professional narration involves a trained voice actor recording your manuscript in a proper studio environment, with direction, with retakes, with consistent microphone placement and room acoustics across every session. The recording process for a standard-length book (60,000 to 80,000 words) typically takes several days of studio time.
Whatever path you choose, the recording environment matters as much as the voice. Audible's technical requirements for audio quality are strict. More on that below.
If you’re narrating your own book, first off, that’s great. And there’s a real benefit to hearing the author’s voice. Just make sure you have a high quality microphone, record in a studio if you can, or another space with sound-proofing. And then try to record everything in a few days. If you spread this out over a year, your voice in the summer might sound different than your voice in peak allergy season vs. winter when you’re coming down with a cold.
As for AI voiceover… it’s getting better. Not perfect, but getting better. Amazon KDP has a free beta version. You can checkout the company Spoken. Or even pursue your own solution via various AI options out there. But one thing to keep in mind, make sure you review everything and give notes on how to pronounce certain words.
Step Three: Editing and Mastering
Raw audio is not finished audio. Not even close.
Editing involves removing the mispronounced takes, the mouth noises, the audible breaths between sentences, the moments where the narrator lost the rhythm and had to start a paragraph again. A 70,000-word audiobook might have hundreds of edit points before the audio sounds clean.
Mastering is the step that makes the finished audio sound consistent and professional. Volume levels need to be balanced across all chapters. A listener shouldn't have to adjust their volume between chapter three and chapter seven. Background noise gets removed. The audio is processed to meet the specific technical specifications required by Audible (ACX), Apple Books, and other platforms.
Those specs include: MP3 format at 192kbps or higher, sample rate of 44.1kHz, constant bit rate, mono or stereo both acceptable, peak values between -3dB and -6dB, RMS (average volume) between -23dB and -18dB, room noise below -60dB. Every file gets measured against those numbers before delivery.
Step Four: File Structuring
An audiobook is not one long audio file. It's a set of individual chapter files, plus specific additional files that platforms require.
What a properly structured audiobook submission includes: one audio file per chapter (named and ordered correctly), a retail audio sample (typically the opening 1–5 minutes used as the preview listeners hear before purchasing), opening and closing credits (title, author, narrator, publisher), and cover art at the required specifications.
Audible (ACX) requires a JPEG cover image at exactly 2400 x 2400 pixels. Apple Books and Spotify have their own specifications. The file structure that works for one platform needs minor adjustments for another.
Step Five: Quality Control Review
Before any files go to you or to a platform, they get reviewed against a checklist. Is every chapter present and in order? Do the file names match the submission requirements? Does the retail sample start at the right place? Are the metadata fields (title, author, narrator, publisher, language) all filled in correctly?
This is the step that catches the problems that would otherwise show up as a rejection from Audible after a five-to-ten business day review period. Platform rejections are fixable, but they delay your launch and they're entirely preventable.
Step Six: Distribution and Going Live
Once your files pass QC, they go to the platforms. For most self-published authors, that means Audible through ACX (Amazon's audiobook production and distribution marketplace), Apple Books, and Spotify.
ACX offers two distribution options: exclusive (Audible/Amazon/iTunes only, with 40% royalties) and non-exclusive (available everywhere, with 25% royalties). The right choice depends on your goals. Exclusive gives higher per-sale earnings on Audible; non-exclusive gives you access to every platform.
Review and approval typically takes five to ten business days on Audible. Apple Books and other platforms vary. Once approved, your audiobook is live and searchable.
While Audible is the most popular and in some cases it does make sense to go with that exclusive option, keep in mind Spotify for audiobooks is gaining ground in popularity and even a site like Chirp Books has a very loyal following. Then you’ve got the library distribution channels like Libby and Hoopla. It’s a wider world out there than just Audible.
What DiggyPOD Handles
DiggyPOD's audiobook conversion service covers the full process: manuscript preparation, professional narration and recording, editing and mastering, file structuring, QC review, and delivery of platform-ready files with upload guidance for ACX, Apple Books, Spotify, and other major platforms.
If you've already got a print book with DiggyPOD, your manuscript is on file. That's a good starting point. If you're bringing a project from elsewhere, the process starts with a manuscript review and a clear quote. No surprises.
→ Schedule your audiobook consultation
FAQ’s
How long does it take to produce an audiobook?
Professional audiobook production typically takes four to eight weeks from manuscript to platform-ready files, depending on book length, narration approach, and revision rounds. Rush timelines are sometimes available.
How much does it cost to turn a book into an audiobook?
Pricing varies based on book length, narration needs, and production complexity. And there’s a significant pricing difference between hiring a voice actor vs. you recording your book (or using AI). DiggyPOD provides clear quotes before the project begins. Industry averages for professional production run $200–$400 per finished hour of audio.
Do audiobooks make money for self-published authors?
Yes, audiobooks generate royalties on every sale or listen. ACX pays 40% royalties on exclusive titles and 25% on non-exclusive. For authors with existing audiences, audiobooks often generate meaningful passive income.
What's the difference between ACX and Audible?
ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) is Amazon’s production and distribution platform, where you submit and manage your audiobook. Audible is the retail storefront where listeners buy and stream audiobooks. ACX is the backstage; Audible is the front of house.