Q & A

Raven Audio Books performs a Professional and Integrity based service to all who wish to place the written word into the spoken word.  This recording studio began its life in 1998.  Yes, there is much experience.                                                                              

Why an Audio Book?  Marketing, marketing, marketing.  PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ – September 15, 2008 – The Audio Publishers Association (APA) released the results of the 2008 APA Consumer Survey and the 2008 APA Sales Survey which were conducted to measure the growth of the audiobook industry as well as gain an accurate picture of audiobook listeners’ behaviors. Independent research firm LewisClarkBoone Market Intelligence surveyed a sample of American consumers, as well as audiobook publishers, who reported sales data from 2007.

Who buys Audio Books?   This year’s Consumer Survey showed that 28 percent of adult respondents have listened to an audiobook in the last year, showing a growth of three percent from the survey results in 2007, and a growing comfort with the audio medium among a broadening base of users.   This year’s Sales Survey showed a 12 percent increase over 2006, with audiobook sales now estimated at $1,033,760,000 billion. Thanks in part to blockbuster audiobook releases in 2007, the growth rate doubled since the previous findings which showed a 6 percent increase from 2005.

What to look for in a Recording Studio. 

If possible, visit the studio.  If you wish to use an out-of-town or out of state studio, spend as much time on the phone with the producer as it takes for you to feel comfortable.  Do not choose a studio based on e-mail communications.  In the end, your gut will let you know what studio is best for you.

Is it well organized?

Does the producer answer all your questions?

Does the studio have flexible hours?

Does the studio offer royalty free music and sound?

Are different audio file formats offered?

Are you comfortable with the studio and the producer?  Does it feel good?

How are the audio books produced?  It's a very simple process.  The voice or voices are recorded.  The audio clean up and editing is performed.  Sound or music is usually mixed in as an intro, outro and usually between chapters.  Often children's books have music and sounds throughout the book.  Should the author be a good efficient reader with an appropriate voice, then the author records the book.  If not, we hire very good or professional voice talent to record the book.  The final part of the process is mastering the audio and burning the Master CD(s).

Voice Talent.    Does the studio have a good database of professional voice talent to choose from?  

Why shouldn’t an author do their own audiobook recording?  Do Not record your book in your home. It will sound like your recorded your book in your home. Unless, you have a nice sound proof room/booth and the high end software and mic to accomplish all the recording, audio editing, mixing and mastering. And, give yourself about a year's learning curve to get efficient in audio recording.  If you're going to put your book "out there" in audio, please make sure it sounds like a pro product. After all, the audio book represents, you.

Should an author read their own book? How does one find a professional reader?  If an author has a great professional voice, can read extremely well and has some experience as a recording narrator or done voice over work, then the author should be the person to read/record the book. If not, let the pros do it.  The recording studio should have a database of voice talent to choose from.  If not, find another studio.  Studios that produce audio books must be on the lookout all the time for new voice talent.  Voice talent availability can be fluid.

The listener wants to be and must be engaged, entertained or wants to learn something. The voice talent Must have the talent to do this. The voice talent is the main key to the great audio book. The voice talent is a character (or multiple characters) and must cause the listener to produce a "movie" in their mind. Especially with fiction but true with nonfiction also.

About how much does it cost to create an audio book and what does an author get for that?  The cost of recording the book into the Masters, depends on the length of the book, how many voices to be used and extras like music and sound effects. For example, I would charge $1750 to record a 50,000 word book, plus a pro voice talent $400. $2150 total. Which includes: recording, audio editing, original royalty free music/sound for an intro/outro & between chapters, mixing, mastering and conversion of all chapters to MP3 format. The author or publisher should receive 2 sets of master CDs and the MP3 files.

Yes there are studios that will charge lots more than I to do the same work. Be careful and do the proper investigations. Take your time.

When an author turns an illustrated book, e.g., a children’s book, into an audio book, does the text have to be augmented to make up for the pictures not being there? Or do you use sound in place of pictures?  Music and sound is a wonderful replacement and is composed no matter what.  Some authors maintain the illustrations in a booklet form and add a sleeve in the book's cover for the audio book.  This way the child can listen and view the pictures.

Thousands and thousands of commuters are listening to a chapter or two of an audio book on their drive into and from the work place. The little ones also love audio books.

Should you wish to discuss your audio book project, feel free to call at 623 215 8654. 

I appreciate your taking the time to have read this. Thank you.

John Mahoney