About 10,000 words equals 1 hour of audio. So if you have a 40,000 word book, your audiobook will be about 4 hours long.

Audiobook production and distribution for an average 40,000 word book (about 4 audio hours) takes about 20-25 hours of production time—for an experienced team.

Producing an audiobook is not as simple as just recording a book being read.

For the sake of calculation, keep in mind that about 10,000 words of your book equals an hour of “finished” audio.

First, there is prep. Special features that you may have in your book, like charts, captions, exercises, sidebars, calls to action, etc. need to be “translated” into audio.

Next is raw recording. People can’t just read a book from start to finish—they make mistakes, have pauses, need to take breaks, and so on. Audiobook recording sessions are no more than 2-3 hours at a time due to vocal and energy fatigue. You want your audiobook to be consistent and engaging, drawing in the listener – so your performance is paramount.

Production itself involves a detailed editing process that includes removing extraneous noises, reducing breaths and any “ah”s or “um”s, ensuring the pacing sounds right, and making sure the audio itself conforms to the stringent technical standards imposed by ACX (the Audiobook Creation eXchange, Amazon’s audiobook platform). It’s also vital to check the recording against the text of the book to look for mistakes—the spoken word version of typos.

Corrections must be made for anything missing, misspoken or otherwise incorrect, and then those corrections must be sound engineered too.

This is a deliberate process for professionals. It is a snail pace process for amateurs.

The cost of an audiobook is based on length, and most of our audiobooks range between 3-5K for full production, publishing, and distribution. We also include best practices and resources for getting started marketing your audiobook, advice on repurposing your audiobook content, and strategic planning to maximize your royalties and distribution. We're happy to give you an audiobook quote anytime if you provide us a word count and more information via our Contact Us Page

To start recording, we’ll need a finalized manuscript. That being said, it’s best to plan your audiobook production and publishing well in advance. If you’d like to narrate your audiobook yourself, you’ll also need a microphone. But no worries, we’ll make sure you sound “studio perfect.”

The author pays the professional narrator directly, which keeps your costs down. TFS provides an estimate of the final cost of professional narration based on the number of words in your book. Generally we are within 30 minutes (less than $100) of the final cost once the audiobook is complete.

You pay the narrator directly after the recordings are completed and we’re ready to send your audiobook to publishing.

The process is done this way because TFS does not mark up the cost of the narrator.

We have compiled a list of top-rated professional narrators over the years. Whenever we post a new audition we also reach out to them directly to let them know we’ve got a new project. We treat our narrators like they are our clients, so they’re happy to work with us. 

For a self-published audiobook, you can expect the same 60,000 word book to take three times as many hours—at minimum—to produce. It’s a big learning curve. It’s likely to result in a less professional, lower quality end product than an expertly produced one.

For U.S., U.K. and Canada based authors, Audible, Amazon, and iTunes do have a common back end called ACX for self-published authors to produce their audiobooks. Our Audiobook Production Checklist will help you get started. For international based authors, there are alternative platforms available.

Your book and audiobook are assets that help spread your message, build your credibility and speaking or media platform, and generate income. An asset needs to have a solid return on your investment and be produced to a standard that is going to last and grow with you.

Self-publishing will take much more time and stress, and the results will often be lackluster. We have authors who come to us regularly who have recorded their own audiobook, even often with an editor or at a studio, that need our help because the recording of their audiobook isn’t up to the strict Audible standards.

As with anything, it always pays to work with a trusted source with a great track record of success.

We can handle your audiobook publishing for you and get you onto up to 40 audiobook platforms, such as Audible, Audiobooks.com, Scribd, Downpour, and it will also be made available to libraries. Most authors can expect their book to be picked up by at least 20 platforms.

But do note that in these situations where we haven't done the production of the audiobooks, we will evaluate your audio files to make sure there are no surprises—as we often find that there are issues with the recordings that need to be addressed before they will be accepted by the audiobook distribution platforms.

Audiobooks extend the life of your new book launch. Releasing your audiobook at the right time during your initial book release allows you to keep the momentum and excitement going.

Your audiobook content—that is, pieces of the audiobook itself—also can be used to promote your audiobook. Pieces of your audiobook can be turned into ‘audiograms,’ and/or a killer video book trailer to share on social media, through email, and on your website.

If you’re podcasting (as a host or guest) to promote your book and message, you can also use your audio content in your podcast interviews or show notes.

Just like your book, your audiobook is an evergreen marketing asset that can help you share your message with the world for years to come.

Yes! Your previously launched books can absolutely be relaunched as audiobook. This strategy gives you the ability to have an entirely new product launch (with a new income stream) without having to create ANY new content. Hallelujah!

Even better, if your previously published book wasn’t a bestseller and you want to give it another chance, releasing the audiobook version allows you to make that happen.

We are not a traditional publisher. We are advocates for our authors, and everything is owned by you. All the accounts will be in your name, you will have full access – we’re basically working on your behalf. So we do not retain any of your rights! You keep all your rights – and your royalties. 

All royalty payments are made directly to you through the platforms where your audiobooks are sold, such as Audible. Those platforms provide accounting / reporting of your audiobook sales and royalties.

Royalties paid to you vary from 25% to 40% of your audiobook purchase price, depending on the platform where the purchase is made. You can also sell your audiobook independently via your website and keep 100% of your sales.

No. Authors keep 100% of their royalties and everything is paid directly to you from the audiobook sales platform.

You would contact the sales platform, such as Audible, where your audiobook is on sale, if you need support with your audiobook. We will make sure you have contact information, and you’ll also be provided with tutorials and information when your audiobook is published. You will have an account with each platform where you can find your sales numbers.

First, there is no charge for distribution of your audiobook or any additional fees you have to pay, ever, to Twin Flames Studios or to anyone else.

Depending on whether you have an exclusive or non-exclusive sales agreement with your primary platform, your audiobook may also be submitted either immediately or in the future to around 40 other platforms, such as Audiobooks.com, Scribd, Downpour, and it will also be made available to libraries.

Twin Flames Studios will submit your audiobook to these platforms which will then decide to accept your audiobook and make it available. Most authors can expect to have their book picked up by at least 20 platforms.

Please contact us to let us know what your specific needs are!