Less than 5% of books are released as audiobooks, and it’s not for the lack of demand: audiobook use has been growing year on year. Narrating an audiobook recording is not easy to do! You not only must read clearly and modulate your voice to add interest, but also edit the recording to get rid of fumbles.

Not even mentioning the feeling of creeping doubt that anyone will want to hear it! So, how can self-publishing authors narrate their own audiobook?

And now, over to an expert in audio recording, Dave Stokes from author2audio.

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I too admire those authors who choose to narrate their own books. But how did they make this decision? There are a number of factors in play…

‘I’m worried I won’t sound good or professional enough’

You may have a tendency to believe – if you don’t have the gravitas and experience of Michelle Obama or Morgan Freeman, then you really shouldn’t pick up the microphone!

Although Michelle and Morgan would do a champion job of narrating your story, they would – and have done – a better job telling their own story – and that’s the point: it’s your story.

Listeners want to feel the authenticity, immersion and familiarity that comes with the author’s voice. You don’t have to imagine what it was like, or how it might have felt – you were there at the time, and this will be naturally expressed as you recite and record your story.

‘It’s going to take too much of my time’.

I often feel the real question here is: ‘Will it be a frustrating and exhausting experience, and will I make lots of mistakes and lose my patience?’

Let’s unpack this…

Remember, you have just spent many months or even years crafting your written story. It’s been planned, developed, discussed, edited, proofread and polished – it’s a beautifully prepared script (better than most actors get 😉

Did you hear the implied ‘but…’? It’s this: most author narrators average 100 misreads, re-reads, false starts and repeats for every hour of recording! So be prepared to ‘fail’ around 800 times when narrating your 60,000-word book. Sounds like a nightmare, yeah?

I use a simple discipline here… When you’ve made a mistake, or just haven’t got the pauses right, keep recording and count: ‘one cat and dog’ in your head. Say ‘STOP’, count ‘one cat and dog’ in your head again, then re-read from the last full stop, comma or pause. This little reset helps with editing and inhibits the free-fall into impatience and frustration ;>)

Pacing and technique is everything.

First of all, set yourself up to record in one or two-hour sessions. Think of it this way… how many keynote speeches go beyond 45 minutes? This is not just because the audience will struggle to remain engaged for that long, but also because the speaker will be ‘spent’ – unable to maintain the energy, conviction and humour indefinitely. We’re only human.

Secondly, your book contains natural ‘intermissions’ (the chapters). Narrate three chapters then call it a day. If you try and narrate eight chapters, I guarantee seven and eight will be listless, tired and flat – it’s almost impossible to be fatigued and still maintain storytelling intimacy. You don’t want to convey the ‘tired marathon runner’ to your listeners (unless that’s the story line!).

Now narration is not for everyone, and perhaps not for every book genre. I have worked with a few marvellous voice actors who bring subtle consistency to multiple characters in works of fiction (it’s a real art). But if your piece is about sharing personal and business experiences, life lessons and mindset, then try the following:

1. Record in your home office – a studio-quality microphone at your desk, in a carpeted room with soft furnishings and book cases (most authors are very well read) is often ideal. (Studio quality is Rode or Shure brands, or Raizer Seiren for occasional use)

2. Pick early morning or late-night times for your recording sessions – kids, partners, traffic (and leaf blowers!) tend to cause interruptions during the day.

3. Tell the story ‘enthusiastically, but intimately’. Imagine you and I have just met at a dinner party for twelve… I have just asked you to describe what your book writing experience felt like? You are animated and enthusiastic. Not so loud as to hush the other guests, but not so reserved that a few guests don’t ‘bend their ear’ to the story you are relaying to me. Most audiobooks are listened to with ear pods or headphones, so your public speaking voice will be too loud and boisterous for hours of listening.

4. Re-record the Introduction and Chapter One. After you finish the entire book recording, you will be relaxed like a pro in front of the microphone. The difference between your first attempt and the ‘match fit’ you will really surprise…

Well, I hope I have neither freaked you out, nor lulled you into a false sense of security… as Aristotle might agree, we find ourselves along different continuums between extremes ;>)

If I have a motto, it is:

‘Your voice, studio free’

Author2audio
We specialise in ‘studio free’ audiobook and podcast recording, editing, producing, publishing and specialist distribution services. I help authors publish on Audible (Amazon), iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and a host of international online audiobook retailer websites and podcast channels.

Dave Stokes is the founder at author2audio – an audio book and podcast production company dedicated to self-published authors who wish to extend their influence and brand in local and overseas markets.
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Dave has been drumming, singing and recording with bands since his early twenties, has a long career in software development and holds degrees in both psychology and business computing.

Website: https://www.author2audio.com

Email: dave@author2audio.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-stokes/