Our relationship to and use of audiobooks has changed exponentially in recent years. A decade ago it was commonly thought that audiobooks were only produced for blind people. Understandably so as of course, that is largely why audiobooks were originally created. According to Edison Research, as of 2024, 52% of U.S. adults have listened to an audiobook. This equates to approximately 137 million people! Its popularity as a form of entertainment and education shows no sign of slowing. Consequently it provides a huge area of work for narration in audiobooks. However, there are many things one must consider before entering this field. This is because whilst the work is plentiful it is not for everyone.
Top Tips for Narration in Audiobooks
Here are some points to consider: First up, we have Stamina. Typically for every recorded hour completed it takes a novice narrator 3-6 hrs in the booth. This improves with experience. Depending on the difficulty of the text, narrators can get this down to 2-3hrs Per Finished Hour (known in the industry as ‘PFH’).
On the other hand, beginners must realise that they will be in the booth for many, MANY hours. The average length for audiobooks is 8 hours long and most audiobooks are recorded from home studios. If you feel that sitting or standing in a ‘padded cell’ with no windows and talking to yourself for 30 plus hours would drive you mad, then perhaps this isn’t for you.
Talent and Training for Narration in Audiobooks
Our next point to consider is Talent & training. You must also be able to differentiate characters; The most common complaint from listeners generally is that they don’t know who is speaking. So, it is important to make each character distinct whether that is through accent, age, tone or physical voice quality. If you are not already an actor or are under-confident in performing characters, it is important therefore to get acting training and specific classes in audiobook narration.
A Good Narration Consists of Good Preparation
Now I want you to consider Preparation. There is a fair degree of snobbery within the voice over industry regarding audiobook narration. This is largely because the time/pay ratio: (eg: Voicing one line in a commercial, which might only take you minutes could potentially give you more financially than a year’s worth of audiobooks).
However, most voice professionals agree that the skill and technique required makes it the most challenging area of voice over. If you are recording from home, you must (as any voice artist must) understand and be able to operate your equipment. This includes being able to process files according to the specifications required by the production company or platform. But you must also spend time prepping the book, giving it a full read, taking notes etc before recording can even commence.
Clients, Pay and Knowing the Audiobook Narration Industry
The final point of consideration is Renumeration. Audiobook narration is not a get-rich-quick scheme and there are plenty of projects out there of a dubious nature which will be for little or no pay. Many a narrator has fallen foul of ‘royalty share’ where the pay is totally dependent on the sales of the author. Some PFH rates are also very poor.
As previously mentioned, if you consider other fields of voice over like commercials, which often are quick-fire and comparatively well-paid, then we can begin to see why many voice artists shun this field. That said, when one has built a good relationship with authors or been invited onto decent production house rosters then it is possible to make a good annual income upwards of $60k solely from narration in audiobooks.
Narration in Audiobooks Wrapped
In summary, audiobook narration takes much preparation and skill but it can be the basis of a successful voice career. Finally, knowing that you are partaking of the most difficult area of the voice industry, the one where others will shake their heads in wonder and say “I don’t know how you do that!’ is often a reward in itself
An Introduction to Narration in Audiobooks by Ruth Urquhart more articles are available here.