Are you a writer who is wondering how to add more appeal to your work? Or perhaps you are curious about audiobooks and want to know what exactly does it take to create one of your own? This article will help you understand the basics of an audiobook and provide you with some basic steps that will help you create your very own audiobook.
1. Getting the Right Software
First and foremost, you need to get yourself a professional audio recording and editing software to record the perfect audiobook. There is a wide variety of software available on the internet. Conduct a thorough internet search and choose a software that best fits your requirements. Remember, you cannot afford to make compromises here. Spend some money if you want to get it done right. Don’t just look for free software, they might prove to be unreliable. Alternatively, you can also opt for a recording studio to do your audiobook recording, though that will prove to be a lot more expensive.
2. Finding the Voice
One of the most important things that goes into making a successful audiobook, you need to find the voice of your book. It does not necessarily have to be you. Remember, the voice need not be a talent in terms of writing, because that work has been done by you. You need to pick a voice that best fits the style and mood of your story and also, one which is versatile in the sense that he/she can alter the tone of their voice according to the various situations. Look out for people working in drama groups or maybe even a professional. Once you find the right voice, half your work is done.
3. Recording
Next up is the recording of your audiobook. First of all, decide the time frame within which you want to finish the recording of your book. This, in turn, will finalize your budget, your pace and also the time needed for renting the studio, if you have done that. The first chapter of your book will be the real test of your chosen voice. Pay close attention, and you need to make sure you get this one absolutely right, because this is going to set the tone for the rest of the audiobook. The listener should not be put off by the first chapter itself! Also, maintain notes, go back to the obvious mistakes and fix them on the spot, so that your editing work is easier. Always keep a close eye on your timeline too.
4. Editing
Once your voice has been recorded, you need to go through the entire audiobook (maybe more than once) and make note of any errors or abnormalities in the recorded version. Try to keep the recording as clean as possible. Remove any awkward pauses, clear out the background noise, and re-record any unclear parts. The audiobook needs to be easy on the ears. For this purpose, you can add specific background music and sound effects in line with the various moods of your audiobook. This will help keep the listener interested and will liven up the narration. Even a few subtle background additions add quality to the audiobook.
5. Distribution
Once all the editing is done and the effects added, you need to give your audiobook one final hearing, and possibly even play it for a few people to see the response. After making sure everything sounds right, go ahead and distribute! You can offer your audiobook as an mp3 download on your website, or even make CD’s. Another innovative method would be to have podcasts, which release a new chapter every week.
Now that you know what exactly goes into making an audiobook, don’t be afraid to try making one yourself!
Image credit: Matthew Keefe on flickr and reproduced under Creative Commons 2.0
Pranay Kanagat is a freelance writer who has a love for writing on various subjects. In particular, he enjoys creative writing. He is also studying for an Engineering degree.