How to Publish an Audiobook without a Print/Ebook Edition

Many of our clients have always wondered if it is possible to publish their audiobook without having a print or ebook version out for sale, the answer is YES.

Submitting an audiobook for distribution can be exciting, allowing authors and publishers to reach a wider audience through various platforms. While some distribution channels have specific requirements, it is possible to submit an audiobook even if you don't have a print or ebook edition available.

In this article, we will explore the process of submitting an audiobook without a print/ebook edition, highlighting the exceptions and guidelines for each distribution platform.

1) Understanding the Audible Exception

Audible, one of the leading audiobook distribution platforms, has a specific requirement for authors and publishers. To distribute an audiobook on Audible, it is mandatory to have an ebook or print copy listed on Amazon. This requirement ensures that Audible users can access the companion ebook or print version of the audiobook.

If you do not have a print or ebook edition available on Amazon, you will be unable to distribute your audiobook on Audible. Therefore, it is crucial to meet this prerequisite if you plan to target Audible's large audience.

2) Exploring Other Distribution Channels

Fortunately, Audible is the exception rather than the rule when it comes to submitting an audiobook without a print or ebook edition. Most other audiobook distribution platforms allow authors and publishers to upload their audiobooks without any accompanying print or ebook versions.

We reached out directly to Findaway voices, the world's largest audiobook distributor. They said:

“If you do not have the print/ebook on Amazon.com, you would not be able to distribute to Audible and would have to leave them unselected from distribution. This is the only exception; every other distributor allows for you to upload the audiobook without a print/ebook edition.”

This means you still have an opportunity to distribute your audiobook and reach a diverse range of listeners!

3) Step-by-Step Instructions for Submitting Audiobooks

To submit your audiobook without a print or ebook edition, follow these general instructions:

Research Audiobook Distribution Platforms:

Explore various distribution platforms such as Findaway Voices, Author's Republic, and many more. Understand their submission guidelines, pricing structures, and royalty options.

Prepare Your Audiobook Files:

Ensure that your audiobook is professionally recorded, edited, and meets the required audio quality standards. Convert your audiobook into the preferred file format specified by the distribution platform. Also, we have audiobook production services that can help you throughout this entire process.

Create an Account:

Sign up or create an account on the chosen distribution platform. Provide the necessary information such as your name, contact details, and payment preferences.

Upload Your Audiobook:

Follow the platform's instructions to upload your audiobook files. This typically involves selecting the appropriate file format, naming your audiobook, and providing any additional metadata required.

Set Pricing and Distribution Preferences:

Determine the pricing for your audiobook, taking into consideration the platform's suggested retail price and your desired royalty rate. Select the regions where you want your audiobook to be available for distribution.

Review and Confirm:

Carefully review all the information provided, including pricing, distribution preferences, and any terms of service. Once you are satisfied, confirm your submission.

4) Maximizing Your Audiobook's Reach

While submitting your audiobook without a print or ebook edition opens up numerous distribution opportunities, it is essential to consider other formats as well. Creating a companion print or ebook edition of your audiobook can enhance the overall reading experience for your audience. Additionally, having multiple formats available allows you to reach a broader range of readers who may prefer different mediums. Therefore, if resources permit, consider creating a print or ebook edition alongside your audiobook to maximize your reach and potential revenue streams.

Conclusion

Submitting an audiobook without a print or ebook edition is possible, with the exception of Audible, which requires a companion print or ebook listed on Amazon. However, most other distribution platforms offer authors and publishers the flexibility to upload audiobooks independently. By following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this article, you can successfully submit your audiobook and reach a wider audience of listeners.

-

If you need help turning your book into an audiobook, we offer remote audiobook production and editing services that will help you reach a wider audience and increase your book sales. 

Listen to some of our audiobook samples here to get started.

How to Get Your Audiobook on Spotify

Great news for all authors, Spotify is now carrying audiobooks! This means you will be able to easily reach an entire new audience of listeners. Spotify has over 400 million active users and keeps growing, this is an amazing opportunity for your audiobook to be discovered.

We help a lot of our clients get on Audible going through the ACX, as that has been the standard market place for Audiobooks and continues to be so. However it is advisable to be in as many places as possible to meet listeners where they are at.

Wether you already have an audiobook on audible (with a non-exclusive deal), or you are an author that is in the process of wanting to create an audiobook, this step by step guide will make it simple for you to get on Spotify!

If you are an independent/self-published author, the easiest way to get on Spotify is using Findaway Voices.

What is FINDAWAY VOICES?

Findaway Voices is the world's largest audiobook distributor. They give you access to the entire listening world through retail and library partners ranging from major global brands to fresh new startups. The company is now owned by Spotify, to grow in the audiobook space.

How to Upload Your Audiobook on Spotify

In order to upload your audiobook on Spotify you will need to sign up for an account with Findaway Voices here. Then you'll need to provide some basic information about yourself like your Name, Email, Password, etc... It will also show this:

Make sure to select Author if you already have an audiobook and you just want to use their distribution platform. If you are an author and don’t have an audiobook yet, you can narrate it yourself using our innovative audiobook production services, or we can handle the entire process with one of our narrators. We’ve worked with top publishers like Penguin Random House, Scribe Media, and Amazon.

1. Once you've signed up, you'll be taken to the dashboard. Click on the "Upload" button to begin the process.

2. Findaway Voices will ask you to provide some information about your audiobook, including the title, author, and narrator.

3. Next, you'll need to upload your audiobook files. Findaway Voices accepts a variety of formats, including MP3, WAV, and FLAC. You can either upload the files directly or use an FTP client to transfer them.

4. After your files have been uploaded, you'll need to review the metadata for your audiobook. This includes things like the cover image, the description, and the pricing.

5. Once you're satisfied with the metadata, you can choose which distribution channels you want to use. Make sure to select Spotify as one of your distribution channels.

6. Findaway Voices will then distribute your audiobook to Spotify, as well as other platforms like Audible, Apple Books, and Google Play.

7. After your audiobook has been distributed, you'll be able to track its sales and earnings through the Findaway Voices dashboard.

Conclusion

I hope this guide was helpful! Remember that in order to upload your audiobook to Spotify you will have to have a non-exclusive deal with Amazon (ACX). There is pros and cons, because if your audiobook is exclusive with amazon you will be on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, and get to keep much higher royalties, however they set the price of your audiobook and you can’t sell it anywhere else. That’s a decision you will have to decide, let me know what you end up going with in the comments below!

-

If you need help turning your book into an audiobook, we offer remote audiobook production and editing services that will help you reach a wider audience and increase your book sales. 

Listen to some of our audiobook samples here to get started.

5 Best Alternatives to Audible

Audiobooks are not a thing of the past. Instead, they are becoming increasingly mainstream, enabling users to find a comfortable ground to listen to books on the go. When it comes to audiobooks, Audible is a platform that has created a name for itself. It's accessible, extremely diverse, and hosts a plethora of novels and books that aren’t mainstream.

However, Audible isn’t a free service. So if you are considering shifting from a paid service to a free or more affordable one, some alternatives are worth the time.

This guide will review some of the best alternatives to Audible that we think are worth considering.

What are the Best Alternatives to Audible?

When looking at alternatives for Audible, we wanted to explore affordable (and free) options. But, we also wanted to curate a list that introduces promising audiobook platforms that offer access to various novels, short stories, and books.

Following are our top 5 picks:

1. Audiobooks.com

When looking for the best alternative to Audible, nothing beats Audiobooks.com. This is a subscription service hosting 350,000+ novels, titles, and books. Besides the extensive library, the accessibility and UI of this platform deserve special mention.

If you are on edge about using it, Audible has a generous free trial where you can download and listen to 3 audiobooks. The unique trait of this platform stems from its Audiobook club. Users can choose from the 8 clubs and avail of 30 days of unlimited listening.

The categories of audiobooks on the platform are quite promising too. If needed, you can also sign up for their 30-day free trial. The 3 free audiobooks can be selected from the Premium and VIP sections of the available titles.

Once the free trial is over, users must pay a recurring fee of $14.95 per month. However, it is a fairly good price, given the diversity of books available.

2. Chirp

Want to save up to 95% on your favorite audiobooks? If yes, Chirp is the platform you need to look into. With Chirp, users can avail of limited-time deals on some popular audiobooks without paying a hefty price.

Unlike Audible, where you have to pay a monthly fee to avail of the audiobooks, Chirp is perfect for the occasional audiobook listener. You can buy individual audiobooks at discounted prices and make the most of the purchase.

The platform also hosts new discounted deals daily to bring you various choices. In case you don’t like any of their audiobook or their quality, Chirp has a money-back guarantee you can look into.

Users also won’t have to get into waitlists. All you need is to find the audiobook you wish to buy, get it for a reduced price, and enjoy your day listening to it.

3. Libro.fm

It's not every day that you come across an audiobook platform that supports your local bookstore. With Libro.fm, you get to make that happen. Every purchase or membership gives back to the local bookstore, keeping them in business.

Libro’s primary objective is to take away from corporations' huge profits and share them equally with the local bookstores to keep their business afloat. Therefore, it is a social purpose corporation and a more ethical choice than Audible.

You will find a lot of exclusive perks and features with Libro. They have a sense of community on the platform where you can share your excitement and passion for books with others. There are bookseller-curated playlists on the platform as well.

The app version of Libro is available on both iOS and Android and for free. So you need an active membership to the platform, and you can get started with the audiobooks.

4. Libby

An app-based audiobook platform, Libby is developed by Overdrive and allows you to borrow audiobooks using your library card. The best part about Libby is that it's 100% free. You don’t have to pay a dime to download the audiobooks from your local libraries. The only thing you need is a library card.

The app hosts a variety of audiobooks, including the NY Times bestsellers and the classic novels we have read growing up. In addition, you can browse through the different categories of novels and magazines and listen to them on the go.

Also, the app is available on iOS and Android devices, so compatibility won’t be an issue. However, there are certain limitations regarding the availability, so that’s a downside. Also, if the novel you are trying to download is already borrowed, you might have to wait a bit.

Not just for smartphones, Libby is accessible on PCs, too, if that’s something that catches your attention.

5. Scribd

Scribd is another versatile platform that hosts audiobooks, e-books, and much more. Similar to Audible, even Scribd is a subscription-based platform. You pay a monthly recurring fee and get to enjoy unlimited audiobooks.

The platform is highly popular and caters to millions of users. The library is quite organized yet diverse at the same time. However, the best part about subscribing to Scribd is their affordable subscription fee of $9.99 per month.

Although they offer unlimited access to audiobooks, e-books, etc., some titles come with exclusive restrictions. What makes Scribd different from its competitors is the difference in formats. Not just audiobooks, you also have print, which is a bonus.

The users can start with a free account with a 30-day free trial. Once that’s over, you need to upgrade to their premium version to access the library of e-books and audiobooks.

Which is the Best?

Audible is no doubt one of the best audiobook platforms on the internet. It's popular, diverse, and has an affordable subscription too. However, these are some of our top picks if you want to branch out. A studio is an excellent place to set up your audiobook and listen to them online. All of these alternatives are diverse and unique in their way. Some of these alternatives also give back to the local bookstores, libraries, and the communities attached to them, which is always a positive and not something you’d get with Audible. 

Author Bio: Hi, my name is James Mann from Becomesingers.com, I’m a vocal coach. And I have been involved in singing all my life in performing on stage, joining live bands, as a backup singer for other studio singers and teaching others on how to improve their singing skills and voice based on their vocal circumstances.

-

If you need help turning your book into an audiobook, we offer remote audiobook production and editing services that will help you reach a wider audience and increase your book sales. 

Listen to some of our audiobook samples here to get started.