If you know, or are related to, a famous celebrity, are they appropriate for the book? If yes, can you bribe or coerce them? If not, it is best to look for professionals with good credentials.
Please, don't utilize text to speech programs to narrate your book. If you haven't heard the end result of computer narration, visit YouTube. Examples are rife and they are horrid.
I highly advise listening to a few quality audio books to get a feel for the medium.
Like illustrators, professional narrators get paid by the job or the hour, in the range of $100 to $500 per finished hour, at a spoken rate of 10,000 words or less per hour. They do not want part of royalties that may never materialize - unless they are your above cited celebrity connection or best friend. That's between you. I'd still get the agreement in writing.
You must transform your book into a "script" for the reader, noting where you want pauses, words emphasized, quoted speech, etc. You may need to revise run-on sentences. This would be a good time to correct any existing typos.
It is important to include author, publisher, and copyright information at the beginning and end of your script. If you didn't self-publish, make sure you have your agent's and publisher's permission to have the audio book version made. What does your contract state? How much of the royalties do they get to keep?
There are multiple services that offer audio book creation from script development to final format.
I found Author's Republic offers terrific advice on producing audio books as well as finding the right service.
Here are a few reputable production companies.
1. Deyan Audio pioneered the audio book industry twenty-five years ago, becoming the world's largest independent producer of audio books with 12 Grammy Nominations and 5 wins in the category of spoken word.
2. Pro Audio Voices is a San Francisco Bay Area based company serving clients internationally as a go-to place for exceptional voice-over services for audio books, animation, and advertising, with an emphasis on those with uplifting and inspiring stories and messages.
3. VoicesforBooks makes it easy to produce your printed page or digital manuscript into compelling audio, ready for listening on any advice, anywhere, at any time.
4. BeeAudio has a roster of over 300 narrators, many of whom have a lifetime’s experience on stage or in front of the microphone. They have specialists in every area of audio production: producers, casting directors, editors, proofers, and researchers. A team will collaborate throughout the production process through to quality control.
5. e-AudioProductions has a team of experienced musicians, talented voice artists, and producers offering high quality audio production services.
6. Common Mode Inc is an award-winning digital audio recording and post-production facility located in East Hanover, NJ specializing audio books. They offer technical services including engineered recording sessions, editing, mixing, mastering, QC, audio restoration and repair, studio consultations, and more.
7. Reel Musician Pro is a full-service audio book recording production facility offering voice over talent, CD duplication, artwork, sound effects, audio book trailers, video book production, radio and TV spots, with graphic design for CDs and jewel cases. They can make your audio files compatible with virtually any re-seller, including Audible, iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, and many others.
8. Tantor Media provides narrators for books. You must contact the narrators individually for pricing and availability.
Next week, we take a look at DIY audio book options. Desperate times, and empty bank accounts, sometimes call for desperate measures. Though I would consider it a last option, many have decided to try it.
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