Audiobook production
Audiobooks produced to retailer specification, first time.
Casting, narration, direction, audio engineering and distribution — managed as one production with quality control before every delivery.
Overview
The voice is a casting decision, not a convenience.
We audition narrators against a passage you choose, in the language of the edition, and send the auditions to you unlabelled. Your reaction to the voice matters more than a résumé.
Production is directed: pronunciation lists, character notes and pacing are agreed before recording, and a producer reviews each session rather than only the finished master.
Delivery meets platform requirements for loudness, noise floor, room tone, chapter structure and metadata, so files are accepted rather than rejected and re-cut.
What is included
Scope, in detail.
Everything listed here appears as a line item in your written scope, with the responsible lead named.
01
Narrator casting
Shortlists with unlabelled auditions, native to the edition's language.
02
Production direction
Pronunciation guides, character notes and pacing agreed before the first session.
03
Recording management
Studio or vetted remote setups, with session monitoring and pickup scheduling.
04
Audio engineering
Editing, noise reduction, de-essing, mastering to loudness and noise-floor targets.
05
Quality control
Full-length proof listen against the manuscript before any file is delivered.
06
Audiobook distribution
Delivery to major audio retailers, subscription services and library platforms.
Method
How the work runs.
Each stage ends with something you can read, hear or check before the next stage starts.
Stage one
Casting
Auditions from shortlisted narrators on a passage you select, reviewed blind.
Stage two
Preparation
Manuscript marked up for pronunciation, character voices, emphasis and pacing.
Stage three
Recording
Sessions scheduled in blocks, with a first-chapter review before the full read.
Stage four
Post-production
Editing, mastering and a complete proof listen against the text.
Stage five
Delivery
Retailer-compliant files, chapter structure and metadata delivered and distributed.
Deliverables
What you receive.
Files, documents and reports are yours. We keep no rights over deliverables beyond what a signed agreement states.
Master audio files
Per-chapter WAV masters plus retailer-encoded versions.
Retail package
Cover art at required dimensions, blurb, chapter titles and metadata.
Pronunciation guide
The approved list, reusable for sequels and other languages.
QC report
Proof-listen notes with timestamps and resolutions.
Reference
Production formats and standards.
Technical targets follow major retailer requirements; exact figures are confirmed per platform at delivery.
| Item | Standard we work to | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample rate | 44.1 kHz | WAV, 24-bit masters | Encoded copies supplied per retailer |
| Loudness | −18 LUFS integrated | Per file | Peak ceiling −3 dBTP |
| Noise floor | Below −60 dB RMS | Per file | Room tone matched |
| Chapter structure | One file per chapter | Named and numbered | Opening and closing credits included |
| Multi-voice | Full cast or dual narration | Session-synced | Direction notes per character |
| Languages | Native narrators only | Any commissioned language | Localised pronunciation review |
Scale
Context for planning.
Indicative figures to help you plan. Project-specific numbers are always confirmed in your quotation.
0%
Titles proof-listened in full
0
Review points before delivery
0+
Audio channels supplied
0-bit
Master file depth
Questions
Frequently asked.
Can the author narrate?
Often, yes — with a recorded read-through first. We will tell you honestly whether the result serves the book.
How long does production take?
Typically eight to fourteen weeks from casting to delivery, depending on length, language and narrator availability.
Who owns the audio master?
You do, unless a co-publishing agreement states otherwise. Masters are delivered to you regardless of channel.
Do you produce audio in translation?
Yes. Translated audio editions use native narrators and a localised pronunciation review.
Next step
Request narrator auditions
Choose a passage from your book and we will return unlabelled auditions from shortlisted narrators.