Independent Authors: New Audiobook Publishing Options to Use for Your Book
As an independent author, you may or may not be producing audiobooks for your titles. If you’re not, it’s understandable. Creating an audiobook can be expensive, challenging to manage, and requires expertise to ensure a high-quality result.
For most independent authors, producing an audiobook is a big step and presents a significant amount of risk. A common question is: Will my audiobook recoup its costs? If you’re just starting out, you’re not alone with this worry.
The first and most important question to ask is: Should you make an audiobook?
The short answer: Yes, probably.
Why Audiobooks Matter
Audiobooks have been the fastest-growing format in publishing for more than a decade. In fact, audiobook sales now outpace eBook sales.
So, where is all this growth coming from? Simply put, audiobooks fit into people’s lives. They allow for true multitasking—listening while running, commuting, doing chores, or even winding down before bed.
The appeal is simple: people know they should be reading more, but they struggle to find the time. Audiobooks solve that problem.
- More than 50% of people in the U.S. have listened to an audiobook.
- Half of those listeners consumed one within the past year.
- Over 25% of readers prefer audio first, choosing the audiobook as their primary format.
Clearly, audiobooks aren’t just a niche—they’re a major way people are engaging with books. As an author, you don’t want to miss out on reaching that audience.
Options for Independent Authors
If you decide to create an audiobook, there are three main paths forward:
1. License Your Audio Rights
You can license your audio rights to a publisher. They cover the upfront costs and handle distribution, while you receive royalties (usually smaller since they take on the risk).
- Pros: No upfront expense, professional production, distribution handled for you.
- Cons: Lower royalties, and you’re dependent on a publisher saying yes.
Traditionally, most audio publishers have focused on working with publishing houses rather than independent authors. But this is changing, and more publishers are open to partnering directly with indie authors.
2. Produce and Distribute Your Own Audiobook
You cover the production costs, hire narrators/engineers, and distribute the audiobook independently.
- Pros: You keep the rights and the majority of royalties.
- Cons: You carry the financial risk, handle logistics, and must figure out distribution and marketing.
Despite the challenges, many indie authors are successfully producing and marketing their own audiobooks today.
3. Hybrid Models
Companies like ONE Audiobooks offer flexible arrangements. For example, we can share production costs while handling distribution and marketing. This allows authors to keep more rights and participate in greater upside from sales without taking on the entire burden.
The Bigger Picture
Audiobook growth shows no signs of slowing down. Some studies project global sales could rise from seven billion today to as much as thirty billion by 2030. Even if those estimates are aggressive, we’ve seen sales on many of our channels grow more than 100% every year.
Whether you self-distribute, license your rights, or explore hybrid approaches, audiobooks represent a tremendous opportunity for independent authors. Working with a distributor who specializes in your audience—like ONE Audiobooks in the Christian market—can further extend your reach and long-term sales.
Ultimately, success depends on your (or your publisher’s) ability to market the audiobook and take advantage of promotional opportunities across major sales channels.
About the Author
ONE Audiobooks was founded by Cory Verner, who also founded christianaudio in 2003. Cory has more than 20 years of experience in the Christian audiobook space.
Today, ONE works with over 200 Christian publishers and ministries—as well as independent authors—distributing more than 3,000 titles across 50+ channels worldwide.