Audiobooks New Zealand
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Audiobook Production FAQ
Why work with us?
At Audiobooks New Zealand we have audiobooks on the brain. When we are not producing audiobooks we are listening to audiobooks. When we are not listening to audiobooks we are researching and working on new and innovative ways to make and distribute audiobooks.
Audiobook Production: Frequently Asked Questions
The audiobook market has grown by over 25% annually in recent years. Today, an audiobook is no longer an "extra"—it is a core component of a book’s success. Here is everything you need to know about producing a professional-grade audiobook in the current landscape.
1. How long does the production process take?
For a standard 80,000-word book, the production cycle typically takes 6 to 10 weeks.
• Pre-production (1-2 weeks): Casting the right voice and manuscript prep.
• Recording (1-2 weeks): Actual studio time (usually 2-3 hours of recording for every 1 hour of finished audio).
• Post-production (3-4 weeks): Professional editing, "proofing" (checking for word-perfect accuracy), and mastering to meet retail standards.
2. How much does it cost?
Professional production is usually quoted as a Per Finished Hour (PFH) rate. This rate covers the narrator, the studio, and the editor.
• Industry Standard: Expect to pay between $350 – $600 NZD (PFH) for a high-quality, retail-ready production.
• Total Estimate: An average 10-hour audiobook (roughly 90,000 words) typically costs between $3,500 and $6,000 NZD.
3. Should I narrate my own book?
While authors of memoirs or non-fiction often narrate their own work for "authenticity," fiction usually requires a professional voice actor.
• The Challenge: Narrating is physically and mentally exhausting. It requires consistent pacing, breath control, and the ability to perform distinct character voices without sounding "caricatured."
• The Cost Myth: Narrating yourself rarely saves as much money as you'd think, as a professional editor will spend more time fixing "non-pro" audio mistakes in post-production.
4. What are the technical requirements for retailers?
Platforms like Audible (ACX), Spotify, and Apple Books have strict technical "gates." If your files don't meet these, they will be rejected:
• RMS Amplitude: Between -23dB and -18dB.
• Peak Amplitude: Must not exceed -3dB.
• Noise Floor: No higher than -60dB (this ensures no "hiss" or background hum).
• Format: 192kbps or higher, 44.1kHz, Constant Bit Rate (CBR) MP3.
5. Where will my audiobook be sold?
In 2026, the distribution landscape is divided into two paths:
• Exclusive (ACX/Audible - Only avalible to US) : You stay only on Amazon/Audible/iTunes in exchange for a higher royalty or non exclusive which is avalible to us here in New Zealand and what we recommend in these ever changing times.
• Wide Distribution: Using a distributor like Inaudio by Spotify or Authors Republic, your book is sent to 40+ platforms, including library systems (OverDrive, Libby), Kobo, and Google Play.
6. What about AI (Artificial Intelligence) narration?
AI-generated voices have improved significantly, and platforms like Google and Apple now offer "auto-narrated" services for specific genres.
• The Pros: Lower cost and faster turnaround.
• The Cons: Most listeners still prefer the emotional nuance of a human performance. Furthermore, Audible (ACX) currently has strict rules regarding the labeling of AI content, and many listeners actively filter it out.
7. Does my book need to be "finished" before I start?
Yes. Your manuscript must be the locked, final version (post-copyedit). Changes made to the text after recording begins are extremely expensive to fix, as they require re-hiring the narrator and re-mastering the audio.
8. How do I get started in New Zealand?
Because of our unique accent and local stories, we recommend using NZ-based studios for titles with local themes.
• Step 1: Calculate your word count (approx. 9,300 words = 1 finished hour).
• Step 2: Decide on your "Voice Profile" (Gender, Age, Accent).
• Step 3: Contact a Audiobooks NZ for a sample audition of your opening one to two pages.
Key Terminology
• PFH (Per Finished Hour): The total cost for one hour of the final, edited product.
• Proofing: The process of a third party listening to the audio while reading the text to catch missed words or mispronunciations.
• Mastering: The final "polish" that ensures the volume levels are consistent with every other book on the storefront.
The audiobook market has grown by over 25% annually in recent years. Today, an audiobook is no longer an "extra"—it is a core component of a book’s success. Here is everything you need to know about producing a professional-grade audiobook in the current landscape.
1. How long does the production process take?
For a standard 80,000-word book, the production cycle typically takes 6 to 10 weeks.
• Pre-production (1-2 weeks): Casting the right voice and manuscript prep.
• Recording (1-2 weeks): Actual studio time (usually 2-3 hours of recording for every 1 hour of finished audio).
• Post-production (3-4 weeks): Professional editing, "proofing" (checking for word-perfect accuracy), and mastering to meet retail standards.
2. How much does it cost?
Professional production is usually quoted as a Per Finished Hour (PFH) rate. This rate covers the narrator, the studio, and the editor.
• Industry Standard: Expect to pay between $350 – $600 NZD (PFH) for a high-quality, retail-ready production.
• Total Estimate: An average 10-hour audiobook (roughly 90,000 words) typically costs between $3,500 and $6,000 NZD.
3. Should I narrate my own book?
While authors of memoirs or non-fiction often narrate their own work for "authenticity," fiction usually requires a professional voice actor.
• The Challenge: Narrating is physically and mentally exhausting. It requires consistent pacing, breath control, and the ability to perform distinct character voices without sounding "caricatured."
• The Cost Myth: Narrating yourself rarely saves as much money as you'd think, as a professional editor will spend more time fixing "non-pro" audio mistakes in post-production.
4. What are the technical requirements for retailers?
Platforms like Audible (ACX), Spotify, and Apple Books have strict technical "gates." If your files don't meet these, they will be rejected:
• RMS Amplitude: Between -23dB and -18dB.
• Peak Amplitude: Must not exceed -3dB.
• Noise Floor: No higher than -60dB (this ensures no "hiss" or background hum).
• Format: 192kbps or higher, 44.1kHz, Constant Bit Rate (CBR) MP3.
5. Where will my audiobook be sold?
In 2026, the distribution landscape is divided into two paths:
• Exclusive (ACX/Audible - Only avalible to US) : You stay only on Amazon/Audible/iTunes in exchange for a higher royalty or non exclusive which is avalible to us here in New Zealand and what we recommend in these ever changing times.
• Wide Distribution: Using a distributor like Inaudio by Spotify or Authors Republic, your book is sent to 40+ platforms, including library systems (OverDrive, Libby), Kobo, and Google Play.
6. What about AI (Artificial Intelligence) narration?
AI-generated voices have improved significantly, and platforms like Google and Apple now offer "auto-narrated" services for specific genres.
• The Pros: Lower cost and faster turnaround.
• The Cons: Most listeners still prefer the emotional nuance of a human performance. Furthermore, Audible (ACX) currently has strict rules regarding the labeling of AI content, and many listeners actively filter it out.
7. Does my book need to be "finished" before I start?
Yes. Your manuscript must be the locked, final version (post-copyedit). Changes made to the text after recording begins are extremely expensive to fix, as they require re-hiring the narrator and re-mastering the audio.
8. How do I get started in New Zealand?
Because of our unique accent and local stories, we recommend using NZ-based studios for titles with local themes.
• Step 1: Calculate your word count (approx. 9,300 words = 1 finished hour).
• Step 2: Decide on your "Voice Profile" (Gender, Age, Accent).
• Step 3: Contact a Audiobooks NZ for a sample audition of your opening one to two pages.
Key Terminology
• PFH (Per Finished Hour): The total cost for one hour of the final, edited product.
• Proofing: The process of a third party listening to the audio while reading the text to catch missed words or mispronunciations.
• Mastering: The final "polish" that ensures the volume levels are consistent with every other book on the storefront.
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