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Advice for writers

Adapting Your Book for Audio

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Writing and Adapting Your Book for Audio

In recent years, the audiobook market has experienced explosive growth, with millions of listeners turning to audiobooks as a convenient and immersive way to experience stories. For authors, this presents an exciting opportunity to reach a wider audience and enhance the impact of their work. However, adapting your book for audio format requires more than simply turning pages into sound.

In this article, we’ll explore the essentials of transforming your book into an audiobook, from understanding the market to fine-tuning your writing for the spoken word.

Understanding the Audiobook Market

Before jumping into adapting your work, it’s crucial to understand the audiobook landscape. The audiobook industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with millions of listeners flocking to platforms like Audible, Apple Books, and Google Play Books. In fact, according to the Audio Publishers Association (APA), the audiobook industry was valued at over $1.2 billion in 2020 alone, and it continues to grow each year!

Why Audiobooks Are Popular

Audiobooks offer a unique experience—they allow listeners to consume books while multitasking, whether commuting, exercising, or doing household chores.

Audiobooks are especially appealing to people who lead busy lives but still want to enjoy stories and information on the go.

Which Genres Perform Best?

While audiobooks are growing in popularity across all genres, some perform particularly well. Here are a few that stand out in the audiobook market:

Romance: Often a top performer due to its emotional engagement and character-driven plots.

Thrillers and Mysteries: These genres keep listeners on the edge of their seats, making them perfect for audio.

Self-Help and Nonfiction: Many audiobook listeners turn to these for practical advice or personal growth.

Literary Fiction: Though more niche, literary fiction still has a dedicated audience in the audiobook world.

Who’s Listening to Audiobooks?

The audiobook audience is diverse, but there are a few common traits to consider:

Commuters and Busy Professionals: These listeners are looking for ways to make use of their time while traveling or working.

Multitaskers: Many audiobook listeners enjoy combining reading with daily tasks.

Younger Audiences: Audiobooks are especially popular among younger listeners who grew up with digital media.

By understanding these patterns, you can better tailor your audiobook to your target audience.

How Is Writing or Adapting for Audiobooks Different from Writing for Print?

Audiobooks offer a distinct listening experience that requires authors to approach their writing in a different way. You’ll need to keep in mind that what sounds good when written may not always translate well when spoken aloud. The rhythm, flow, and pacing become even more important in a spoken format.

Sound-Friendly Sentence Structure

One of the key aspects of writing or adapting your book for audio is adjusting your sentence structure to be more “sound-friendly.” In print, you may have the luxury of complex, lengthy sentences, but when listening to an audiobook, the listener has no opportunity to reread or pause to absorb details. To make sure your audience stays engaged, you’ll want to:

1. Simplify Complex Sentences

Long, winding sentences can be hard to follow when spoken aloud. While complex thoughts may work well in a novel, consider breaking long sentences into shorter, punchier ones for better pacing and clarity.

A good rule of thumb is to keep sentences to one or two clauses. This helps listeners maintain their understanding without getting lost in the narrative.

2. Use Dialogue Effectively

Audiobooks rely heavily on dialogue to bring the story to life. Well-crafted conversations provide a natural rhythm and pace, making the listening experience more engaging.

When writing or adapting your book for audio, be mindful of your characters’ voices. Keep their dialogue distinct and reflective of their personalities, but avoid overly long monologues that may feel tedious to listeners. Short, snappy exchanges between characters help maintain energy and momentum.

3. Descriptive Language

While descriptions in print might linger on the details, audiobooks benefit from more concise, vivid descriptions. The goal is to create a clear mental image without overwhelming the listener with excessive detail. Focus on the emotions tied to the environment or scene rather than the minutiae.

For instance, instead of describing every object in a room, highlight the specific item that holds significance to the scene’s mood.

Pacing and Timing

Pacing is critical in audiobooks. Unlike print, where readers can control the speed at which they consume the content, listeners are at the mercy of the narrator’s delivery. To ensure your book translates well into spoken form, pay attention to how the pacing of your writing will sound aloud. Short chapters, natural breaks, and varied pacing can enhance the storytelling experience.

Shorter Chapters and Natural Breaks

Audiobook listeners are accustomed to shorter, digestible sections. While chapters in print can sometimes run long, consider breaking up chapters into smaller, more manageable pieces to keep the flow engaging. Also, think about natural pauses that allow the listener to absorb the information, especially after pivotal moments in the story.

Varying Pacing for Impact

Good pacing involves more than just speed. A quiet, reflective moment can be just as powerful as an intense action scene. Try to vary the pacing of your writing—slow down during emotional scenes, and speed up during moments of high tension. Be mindful of how these shifts will sound when narrated aloud. Proper pacing can create a more immersive experience and help keep the listener’s attention.

Technical Considerations

When adapting your book for audio, there are some technical aspects that you might not have encountered in the print world. These considerations can have a significant impact on how the listener experiences your story.

Chapter and Section Breaks

Audiobooks are generally divided into chapters and sections, but these divisions need to be clear and logical for the listener. Unlike printed books, where readers can pause at any point, audiobooks require more deliberate breaks.

Clear Chapter Markers

Make sure each chapter begins with a distinct marker in your manuscript (e.g., “Chapter One” or a brief narrative cue). This helps both the narrator and the listener follow the story more easily. If your book has many sub-chapters or sections, consider how they will be divided in the spoken format. When a section change occurs, a slight pause or shift in tone can help signal the transition.

Clarity and Pronunciation

Another technical consideration when writing or adapting for audiobooks is the clarity of your language. Some words, phrases, or names may be difficult for the narrator to pronounce clearly, especially if they are uncommon or unusual.

Take a moment to review your manuscript and ensure that your text is easy to pronounce. You can also provide a pronunciation guide for names or terms that might be challenging!

Avoiding Overly Descriptive Passages

While descriptive passages are an essential part of your book, in the audiobook world, less is often more. Avoid long, winding descriptions, especially when they don’t contribute directly to the plot. Consider how the listener will absorb details in real time and focus on imagery that will resonate with the ears rather than the eyes.

Working with Narrators: The Key to a Successful Audiobook

Choosing the right narrator is one of the most important steps in creating an audiobook. The narrator brings your story to life, and their performance can make or break the experience.

However, working with a narrator requires collaboration and an understanding of the spoken word.

Finding the Right Narrator

Consider Your Book’s Tone and Style

The narrator’s voice should match the tone of your book. Whether it’s a deep, dramatic voice for a thriller or a light, conversational tone for a romance, the narrator’s delivery should complement the mood of the story.

Take time to listen to sample narrations and look for someone whose style aligns with your vision for the book.

Emphasize Character Voices

A narrator’s ability to distinguish between characters is crucial in audiobooks. When selecting a narrator, consider how they handle different voices—do they give each character a unique sound, or do they blend together?

This is especially important if your book features multiple viewpoints or an ensemble cast. The narrator should be able to differentiate characters in a way that feels natural and immersive.

Collaborating with the Narrator

Once you’ve selected a narrator, the collaboration doesn’t end there! Communication is key.

If you have specific wishes regarding tone, pacing, or character voices, be sure to share them. A good narrator will appreciate your input and work with you to ensure the audiobook stays true to your vision.

Some authors even choose to be present during the recording process to guide the narrator, while others prefer to provide detailed notes ahead of time.

Your Audiobook Journey Begins Here

Adapting your work for an audiobook is an exciting and rewarding process that can help you reach a whole new audience. While it may require changes in how you write and think about your story, the end result can be an immersive, captivating experience for listeners.

From understanding the audiobook market to fine-tuning sentence structures for the spoken word, every step is an opportunity to enhance your craft. By embracing the spoken format, you’re offering your readers—both new and old—a new way to experience your work!

Keep these tips in mind as you embark on your journey into the world of audiobooks, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a compelling, dynamic audio experience that will resonate with your audience for years to come.


EKB author photo 1

Erin K. Larson-Burnett, Production Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here!), is a born-and-raised Southerner currently living in Katy, Texas, with her husband and their small domestic zoo. She is an avid ink drinker who lives and breathes books—during the day, she works remotely with authors around the world, honing and perfecting books published through Atmosphere Press. By night, she crafts her own stories…or at least tries to. The Bear & the Rose is her debut novel.

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