Audiobook Production
Audiobook production, done for you, submission-ready for Audible.
From narrator casting to ACX-compliant masters, we produce audiobooks that pass Audible QC first time. Built for authors who already have the book and want the audiobook without becoming an audio engineer.
Free 30-min call · we'll map your podcast + visibility plan
See what's included →What you get
Every deliverable, handled for you.
Narrator casting: three shortlisted narrators matched to your book, with sample reads
Studio-quality recording (remote or in-person, depending on narrator)
Chapter-by-chapter direction and editorial pass
Full audio edit: breath removal, pacing, retakes woven in seamlessly
Mastering to Audible/ACX specifications: -18 to -23 dB RMS, -3 dB peak
Chapter marker file for Audible submission
Cover audio (opening credits) matched to your book cover
Submission to Audible (ACX) and Apple Books, with Findaway Voices on request
How it works
- 1.
Book audit
We read your book, flag length, chapter structure and difficulty. You get a fixed production quote and a delivery date on the same call.
- 2.
Narrator + recording
Three narrator samples for you to choose from, then full recording (5-15 recording days depending on book length) with editorial direction.
- 3.
Master + submit
Full edit, mastering, chapter markers, ACX submission. You get the audiobook live on Audible typically 30-60 days after we start recording.
Timeline & turnaround
Full audiobook production takes 6-12 weeks depending on book length. A 200-page book (roughly 6 hours of finished audio) is typically live on Audible 8-10 weeks from the initial book audit call. Longer books take proportionally longer.
Pricing guidance
Audiobook production from £60 per hour.
Priced hourly for the production side — editing, mastering, chapter markers, ACX submission and Audible / Apple approval. You only pay for the hours your book actually needs, not a padded per-finished-hour package. Author-narrated audiobooks skip narrator fees entirely; if you want us to cast a professional narrator, we pass their fee through at cost with no markup. Use the calculator below to see roughly where your audiobook lands — final quote comes after we read a sample chapter on the free call.
Estimate your audiobook
Indicative ballpark
We charge £60/hour for the production side (edit, master, chapter markers, ACX submission, Audible / Apple approval). What varies book-to-book is how many production hours a finished hour of audio needs. Pick a starting point, or set your own.
Start from a typical audiobook
Who's narrating?
Indicative ballpark
£1,800 – £2,250
Roughly 30 production hours at £60/hr.
Free 30-min call · we'll map your podcast + visibility plan
See what's included →Why Audio & Co
- Every audiobook we produce passes Audible ACX QC first time. No rejections, no rework, no launch delays.
- Narrator casting is genuinely bespoke, not "we always use Bob". We shortlist from a network of 400+ vetted narrators.
- Editorial direction during recording so tone matches the book, not just the words on the page.
- Full ACX submission handled by us, including chapter markers and metadata, so your Audible listing goes live properly.
“Less than 1 month from first speaking it was launched. Within 2 months we are ranking in the top 10% worldwide.”
Frequently asked questions
How much does audiobook production cost in the UK?
UK studio-quality audiobooks typically land between £800 and £2,500 all-in depending on narrator, edit complexity and rights strategy. At Audio & Co the production side (editing, mastering, chapter markers, ACX submission, Audible / Apple approval) is billed hourly at £60 per hour so you only pay for the work your book actually needs. Author-narrated audiobooks skip narrator fees entirely; if you use a professional narrator, we pass their fee through at cost with no markup. Exact quote given on the free call.
How long does it take to produce an audiobook?
A typical business book (5-7 finished hours) takes 6-12 weeks from initial book audit to live on Audible. Recording alone is 5-15 days; the rest is casting, editing, mastering and ACX submission. Longer books take proportionally longer. We give a fixed delivery date on the first call.
Can I narrate my own audiobook, or do I need a professional narrator?
You can narrate your own audiobook and many authors do. It works best for memoir, personal-story books and when the author has a distinctive voice. For business, self-help and fiction we usually recommend a professional narrator because narration is a specific skill that takes years to develop.
What is ACX and do I have to submit to it?
ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) is Amazon's platform for putting audiobooks onto Audible, Amazon and iTunes. It is the largest audiobook distribution route. Submission to ACX is not compulsory. We can also distribute to Apple Books, Google Play Books and Findaway Voices depending on your rights strategy.
Do you offer royalty share, or is it always pay-upfront?
Our default is pay-per-finished-hour production because it gets your book to market fastest and you keep 100% of the royalties. Royalty-share deals are possible in specific cases but typically make the whole project take longer and reduce your income long-term. Discussed on the discovery call.
Ready to get started?
30 minutes. No pressure, no commitment.
Free 30-min call · we'll map your podcast + visibility plan
See what's included →