How to Make a Book Into an Audiobook

If you are an author, you may want to make an audiobook. More and more individuals want to listen to these projects when going on road trips or commuting to their jobs. They are more popular than ever before.
You can learn how to make a book into an audiobook with the below guide. It is best to have a quiet spot to record the content, uploading it after to the Audiobook Creation Exchange for publishing.
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How to Make a Book Into an Audiobook
You can read this guide to learn how to make a book into an audiobook. You will find tips and some of the best software you can use in the creation process.
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Tips for Turning a Book Into an Audiobook
The below tips will help you learn to turn any book into audiobook material.
Start with a Complete and Edited Manuscript

The first step in learning how to get my book on Audible, Amazon, or another ebook platform is to have a finalized manuscript. You will read from this script when in the recording process. The audiobook will sound cleaner if you prepare your documentation.
Proofread the manuscript before you start recording. Remove anything that does not make sense to prevent a potential mistake. Read the content out loud to ensure it does not confuse your audience members.
Purchase the Best Recording Equipment

You need to have a proper setup with the best possible equipment if want to record your audiobook at home. You must dedicate time to this project.
You can purchase audiobook creation software on your computer, where you will record and edit the audio. Many of these tools let you upload the project directly to Audible, Amazon, or iTunes.
You should also have a proper microphone set up in your recording area. Wear noise-canceling headphones also, as these will help to block excess noise. You can focus on the task in front of you.
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Prepare Your Space

Preparing your space for recording your audiobook requires you to purchase the necessary equipment. As mentioned, you need appropriate software, a microphone, and a pair of headphones.
Your recording studio should be in the quietest room of your home. Set up in a walk-in closet or dedicate your office to the audiobook. Tell your family that you do not need interruptions for the duration of the time. You are in the recording process.
Once you set up your space, you must cover up any devices that create extra noise. Smartphones and other forms of technology can cause static. If you place a blanket or towel over them, you will remove the chance of the noise.
Set Up a Recording Schedule

One of the most imperative tips for learning how to make a book into an audiobook is to build a schedule. You should not overwork yourself and tell your family when you need the house to be quiet.
Most individuals recommend recording no more than two chapters a day. You may feel overwhelmed when trying to push yourself too far, and you may lose motivation.
Try to record at the same time every day. Give yourself time off, as you will have to go back and edit the audio as needed. It is a long process.
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Edit Files or Use an Audio Editor

The next step before uploading audiobooks to Audible, Amazon, or iTunes is to edit your recordings. Most software programs mentioned later in this article help with this process.
You can also send your recording to an audio editor. You can find freelancers on websites like Upwork or Fiverr. These professionals will know the standards of the Audiobook Creation Exchange.
If you hire someone, ensure they have experience with audiobooks specifically. Read their reviews and ask for previous samples. If you are happy with that professional’s work, email or call them.
Create a Cover
You can learn to make the perfect cover for your audiobook to attract potential audience members. You will need to include the title of the project and enticing artwork.
You can make an audiobook cover on Canva to enhance your creativity by following the below steps.
1. Go to www.canva.com and sign in to your account.

2. Find the search bar and type “Book Covers.”

3. Find the template that works for your audiobook.

4. Customize the design using the tools in the menu on the left side of the screen.

5. Press the “Upload” tab if you want to add specific images.

6. Add icons, backgrounds, text, and colors as needed.

7. Press the download icon at the top right.

8. Choose the type of image you want to download.

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Send it to Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX)
The final tip for learning how to make a book into an audiobook is to send it to the Audiobook Creation Exchange. This organization creates the standards for these recordings. The steps required for sending your project are below.
1. Go to www.acx.com on your browser and press “Sign Up Now.”

2. Enter your contact details to finalize your account.

3. Choose the territory rights you have or the audiobook. ACX will make it available in those specific regions.


4. Mark the language you used for your audiobook.
5. Review the audio specifications made by ACX.

6. Agree to the appropriate licensure.

7. Provide copyright information about the audiobook.

8. Enter details about the narrator and publisher.

9. Upload your audiobook, one chapter at a time.

Publish to Audible, Amazon, or iTunes
As mentioned, when uploading an audiobook to ACX, you must choose the publisher you want to work with. One of the most popular options is Audible, and you may wonder “how to get my book on Audible.”
Amazon Books, iTunes, and Audible all come from the parent company of Amazon. Again, if you want to learn how to get your book on Audible or one of the other platforms, you will use ACX. Again, you will upload each file and chapter one at a time.


When uploading audiobooks to Audible through ACX, you have to review the provided guidelines. Rejection will come if your content does not meet the ACX standards.
Keep the reviewers at ACX or Amazon aware of what they hear. Label each file specifically with the title of the chapter, relating it to the name of your book.


How Long Does It Take to Record an Audiobook?
Most individuals take around 44 to 66 hours when they learn how to make an audiobook for Amazon. Typically, you can get the content done in two weeks, but do not feel like you have to rush. It is not worth creating high levels of stress.
Most audiobooks are 11 hours long, on average. Try to do one chapter at a time when in the recording process.
It will take, on average, four to six hours to record only one hour of your audiobook. Remember, you have to edit it after. You will also have to redo sections of the project if you make a mistake.
How Much Does It Cost to Make an Audiobook?
You may ask yourself, “how much does it cost to make an audiobook?” Most individuals spend between $2,500 and $3,750 for only a five-hour book. You can expect to pay double that for an average audiobook.
Some of the available software programs you can use for recording your audiobook require a subscription. You will also have to purchase the microphone and headphones.
If you hire a third-party editor, you will need to pay for the services of these professionals. You can also choose to go to a studio to record your audiobook if you do not have the space in your home.
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What is the Best Audiobook Creation Software?

You can learn to turn books into audiobooks for free using the software programs below. Each comes with its benefits.
Balabolka
If you want to find the best software for learning how to make a book into an audiobook, consider using Balabolka. This program is free to download on a Windows computer.
Balabolka is a text-to-speech program. You can also convert documents to audio files. It will improve the clarity and quality of your recordings.
Pros
- Balabolka is free to download and safe.
- Customer support is always available.
- You can automatically improve the clarity of your recordings.
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Cons
- Balabolka is only available on Windows devices.
BookReader
BookReader is available on Mac and Windows computers. It costs $9.99 to download. This turns a physical book into an audiobook.
You can save your audiobook in WAV or MP3 format. Add any metadata to your project after finishing. This formatting information gives you all the information you need to know for ACX.
You can also upload your cover art to BookReader. You will have to use the default imagery if you do not add your own.
Pros
- The interface is user-friendly.
- You cannot upload cover art and metadata.
Cons
- There are not many editing features for the quality of your audiobook.
Central Access Reader
You can learn how to turn books into audiobooks for free with Central Access Reader. This application is available on Windows 64bit devices and Macs running Mojave.
Central Access Reader will automatically read Word documents, converting them to speech. Many of the features in this program are customizable to your needs.
Pros
- You can customize the interface to your needs.
- This application is free to use.
Cons
- Central Access Reader only converts Word documents to audio recordings.
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Speak Computer
The next turn a physical book into audiobook app is Speak Computer. This program is free to download, but there is also a browser extension.
There are six different text readers included in the software. You can export your recordings in MP3 format, which is compatible with ACX standards. The program does claim to offer natural-sounding voices for your audiobooks.
Pros
- Speak Computer is free to use on any computer with its browser extension.
- Speak Computer has six different readers, depending on your needs.
- The recording results have a natural sound.
Cons
- Speak Computer is simplistic compared to other software programs.
Turning a Book Into an Audiobook
This article helped you learn how to make a book into an audiobook. Before you begin, you must have the appropriate space unless you plan to use a recording studio. Make sure to purchase the best software for your needs, and remember your microphone and headphones.
Make sure to devote at least 44 hours to your audiobook. It will take four to six hours to record one hour’s worth of content. After you finish, you can start the publishing process.
If you want to publish your audiobook on Audible, Amazon Books, or iTunes, you will use ACX. You should create an account with the organization first, ensuring the recording meets the formatting requirements second. Upload the audiobook, one chapter at a time, and wait for the results.
There are several software programs to choose from when recording your audiobook. Most of the options mentioned in this article work to convert text.
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