Audiobook Production for Indies: Interview with YA Author Rachel Kovaciny

When I heard that Rachel Kovanciny recently worked with One Audiobooks to produce her guide: Explore Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel with Jane Eyre: A Christian Reader’s Guide, I had questions! Rachel graciously offered to answer them.

DJS: What made you decide to pursue having your books published in an audio format? For the indie author, what are the benefits of producing audiobooks?

RK: I know many, many readers who listen to audiobooks regularly. I had looked into the idea of creating audio versions of my books a few years ago, when audiobooks began gaining popularity, but hiring voice actors was cost-prohibitive for me. As an indie author, I have a very tiny budget. Another option would be to buy recording equipment and computer programs and do them myself, but I just don’t have the money for that, or the time. So, I gave up on the idea of creating audiobooks for my Once Upon a Western series.

Then One Audiobooks asked me to write a Christian reader’s guide for them. They’re creating a series of these guides to classic books that have Christian messages or themes, meant for teaching literature or for personal study. I wrote them a guide for Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, which is my favorite novel. They were so pleased with it, they decided to look at my fiction and see if my books might be a good fit for their customers. They offered me a contract, and here we are!

For indie authors, getting your books out to the widest audience possible is important. Audiobooks are a big segment of the market right now, so if an indie author can find a way to get audiobook editions of their books made, I strongly encourage them to do so!

DJS: What were some of the challenges authors face when considering audiobooks as a possibility?

RK:Money is the biggest challenge for an indie author, always. When it comes to audiobooks, you either need to pay a voice actor or buy the equipment to record the book yourself, or rent space and time at a recording studio. If One Audiobooks had not reached out and asked to work on these with me, my Once Upon a Western books would not have audiobooks in the works at all.

Of course, now places like Amazon are testing out AI voices for audiobooks, which seems like a real money saver until you think about the ethics behind it. And a lot of readers object so strongly to AI voices, they refuse to listen to audiobooks if they aren’t recorded by real people.

DJS: AI is certainly a sticky issue, and ethics is a big concern. I agree that anyone producing products should make sure they are being responsible. An easy or cheap fix isn’t always best.

Are there any reasons not to publish a book in audio format?

RK:Be sure you can afford the investment before you get started. Do a lot of research so you have realistic expectations of how long it will take to make back what you have spent.

DJS: I can see how it is a risk, especially with the investment coast. Having realistic expectations is a great piece of advice, as is doing your research. Always do your research!

Do you have a personal story or reason for wanting your books on audio?

RK:I have a friend who uses audiobooks in tandem with their print editions to help one of her kids who has reading difficulties. She slows the speed of the audiobook and her kid follows the words in the book with his eyes while hearing them. She says has been really helpful for him. He has dyslexia, and the combination of hearing words and seeing them at the same time helped him gain confidence for reading silently. I find that so awesome. 

I have another friend who also has a child who struggles with dyslexia. He loves books but rarely has time and patience to sit and read through one, so audiobooks are how he reads books outside school time. I hope these help my friends’ kids!

DJS: That is the best reason of all. I believe everyone should have access to books, whatever that looks like for them.

Thank you for talking with us, Rachel!

Do you like audiobooks? Listen to any great audiobooks lately? Leave a comment below.

Born only a few miles from where Jesse James robbed his first train, Rachel Kovaciny has loved westerns all her life. She is a Christian wife and mother, and homeschools her children. In her spare time, Rachel writes, reads, watches movies, and bakes brownies. Find out more about Rachel’s books at her website.  You may also find her on Instagram.

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Explore Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel with Jane Eyre: A Christian Reader’s Guide. Christian author Rachel Kovaciny provides discussion prompts, historical notes on the book and its author, and a breakdown and analysis of each chapter. This audiobook is a great resource for teaching literature or personal study.

Donna Jo Stone is an award-winning author of young adult contemporary and adult historical fiction. She writes about tough issues but always ends her stories on a note of hope. Her novels are about common struggles and finding the faith to carry on through those battles. The first book in Donna Jo’s young adult series is scheduled for publication in 2024.

To find out more, sign up for her newsletter at donnajostone.com.