The Audiobook Production Process: The Good, the Hard, and the Small Wins That Matter

Audiobook production is often described as magical, and in many ways, it is. There’s something powerful about bringing words to life through voice. But anyone who has actually produced an audiobook knows the truth: audiobook production is a process. It’s creative, technical, emotional, rewarding, frustrating, and deeply satisfying… sometimes all in the same day.

Whether you’re an author producing your first audiobook, a voice actor stepping into audiobook narration, or a seasoned narrator refining your workflow, understanding the full audiobook production process ( the good and the challenging ) helps set realistic expectations and leads to better outcomes.

Step 1: Pre-Production – Where Most Success (or Failure) Begins

Pre-production is the most underestimated stage of audiobook production , and one of the most important.

This phase includes:

• Script and manuscript review

• Pronunciation research

• Tone, pacing, and character choices

• Scheduling and deadline planning

• Contract and payment clarity

The good: When pre-production is done well, recording flows smoothly and confidently.

The hard: Skipping prep often leads to retakes, miscommunication, and frustration later.

Common mistake: Rushing into recording without clarifying expectations, tone, or performance style.

Step 2: Recording – The Creative Highs and Vocal Reality

Recording is where the story finally comes alive. This is also where many narrators discover just how physically demanding audiobook narration can be.

The good:

• Falling into flow with a great story

• Connecting emotionally with the material

• Hearing characters fully form

The hard:

• Vocal fatigue

• Long recording sessions

• Maintaining consistency across hours of audio

Common mistake:Underestimating stamina and not scheduling enough breaks, leading to inconsistent performance or vocal strain.

Step 3: Editing & Post-Production – The Invisible Work

Post-production is where audiobooks are truly polished. Editing, mastering, and quality control can take as long - or longer - than recording itself.

This stage includes:

• Removing errors and mouth noise

• Balancing audio levels

• Adding / Adjusting room tone

• Meeting audiobook technical requirements (ACX Standard)

The good: A clean, professional audiobook that listeners trust.

The hard: Editing can feel tedious, especially for narrators who are used to performing rather than polishing audio.

Common mistake: Rushing post-production or skipping quality checks, resulting in rejected files or poor listener reviews.

The Emotional Side of Audiobook Production

Audiobook production isn’t just technical - it’s emotional.

Narrators may:

• Doubt their performance halfway through

• Feel disconnected during long projects

• Question pacing, tone, or character choices

Authors may:

• Struggle hearing their words aloud

• Feel protective of the material

• Worry about listener reception

All of this is normal - and rarely discussed openly.

Celebrating the Small Wins (They Matter More Than You Think)

One of the biggest mindset shifts in audiobook production is learning to celebrate the small wins.

Small wins include:

• Finishing the first chapter

• Completing the first hour of audio

• Nailing a difficult emotional scene

• Receiving positive feedback from the author

• Uploading the final mastered files

These moments keep momentum alive and prevent burnout - especially during long-form projects.

Common Audiobook Production Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some of the most frequent issues I see from both authors and narrators:

• Choosing a narrator based on price instead of fit

• Not understanding per-finished-hour rates

• Ignoring genre-specific narration styles

• Skipping test recordings

• Underestimating timelines

• Failing to communicate during production

Avoiding these mistakes saves time, money, and energy - and leads to better audiobooks.

The Big Picture: Audiobook Production Is a Partnership

At its best, audiobook production is a collaboration built on trust, communication, and shared goals. When authors and narrators respect each other’s expertise, the final audiobook reflects that care.

Audiobooks are long-form storytelling. They require patience, professionalism, and persistence - but the reward is a piece of work that can reach listeners for years.

Final Thoughts

Audiobook production isn’t perfect - and it isn’t meant to be easy. But it is worth it. Every audiobook teaches something new, strengthens skills, and deepens appreciation for the craft.

If you’re in the middle of a project and it feels harder than expected, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing the work.

🎧 Ready to Produce or Narrate an Audiobook with Confidence?

If you’re an author looking for a professional audiobook narrator, or a voice actor ready to improve your audiobook production skills, I’d love to help.

👉 Visit voiceoverangela.com to explore audiobook narration, coaching, and production support — and let’s turn your story into an audiobook listeners will love.