ACX Audiobook Recording Process for Amazon’s Audible
Step One
A fully proofed, edited and record-ready manuscript is required. A Word.docx is preferable or PDF. Those are easy to send via ACX. But a .mobi (Kindle) or EPUB file sent via an email attachment will work as well. Also, please send any supporting documentation, such as pronunciation, accent, and or character guides.
Once the 15-minute checkpoint is authorized, the rights holder may need to provide additional compensation if they make any further inclusions or modifications to the manuscript that exceed what is considered “reasonable,” such as typos or misspellings. If any changes or alterations are required to be made after the project has been fully recorded and uploaded to ACX by the deadlines we agreed upon, the author may need to provide additional compensation.
Step Two
Our next step is to prepare the manuscript for recording. I’ll go through the entire text to grasp the overall message or content. I intend to make notes on any unfamiliar characters, names, or words, as well as any other important details that were not included in a previously provided guide from the author. I intend to conduct independent research on specific matters.
I will send you questions asking for notes and/or input on the material. For instance: “What do you have in mind for these characters? Or how should I pronounce novel specific words?”
I do not intend to imitate those people. It is rather an informative guide as to the characters’ personalities, attributes, attitudes, vocal patterns/inflections, quirks, etc. It helps me to give those characters a unique “voice” and “life” of their own.
Recording & Deadlines
Once I begin the recording, the first milestone is to provide you with a 15 Minute Sample for your approval. This Sample will also reflect my deliverable sound quality, which will meet industry and ACX standards. Since this is your opportunity to scrutinize my narrative artistically, this sample could include anything you consider critical to the work - character voice choices, accents, the pacing of the narrative, etc. This Sample might only be, but is not limited to, the beginning of the book. And it might not be a strict 15 minutes. It might be longer. It might be shorter, but around 15 minutes.
Unless otherwise specified, I usually start from the beginning and find a logical stopping point in the story. We follow ACX guidelines, which allow you two rounds of revisions before final approval of the 15 Minute Sample. If approval is not forthcoming for whatever reason, we can then contact ACX to agree mutually on canceling our Production Agreement, leaving you free to choose a different narrator for your book. Therefore–and this is critical–this is your only opportunity for artistic input.
After your approval of the 15 Minute Sample, the Production then become mine. Yes, this is a collaboration and not an adversarial relationship, but from this point forward, I make the artistic decisions as Talent, Director, Recording Engineer, Editor, Proofer and Producer. In which case, I will continue to record the book in its entirety. Then I will provide you with all the audiobook files, uploaded to ACX for your eventual approval, so that the production might move on to the next stage – ACX QA (Quality Assurance) – and then on to eventual Retail Sale.
I do not, and will not, provide a “chapter at a time” file submission for critique and/or review. At this point, you are again entitled to two rounds of “reasonable” corrections/revisions. However, these corrections/revisions are limited to only missed, mispronounced, and/or added words, NOT ACTING OR PERFORMANCE NOTES. That is the purpose of The First 15 Minute Sample.
As I have stated, this is and should be a collaboration. And I will value your input. But there is also a separation of labor, skill and expertise. As the author, you have provided the words. As the Talent (et al), my job is to provide a recorded performance and interpretation of those words to the best of my ability. Neither I nor any other narrator will perfectly match the voices, inflections, and intentions you may have imagined as you created your book.According to ACX, you have 10 business days for the Final Review and Approval process.
Please Note
This guide is for working with independent authors through the ACX system only. When we establish a working relationship through ACX, or when a publishing house produces your book directly, the process will adjust for the project. Also, if the author or production house would like to utilize another process please contact me directly for a chat and quotation.
