The number of people listening to audiobooks has exploded over the last decade, and the count keeps rising every year. If you’re a storyteller or aspiring voice actor, there’s never been a better time to jump on the audiobook game.

As a leading provider of tantalizing audio erotica, we know a thing or two about how to make an audiobook. We’re here with all the details you need to start making your own.

What’s an audiobook?

Audiobooks are just what the name suggests: auditory versions of written stories you can listen to rather than read.

Some streaming platforms offer audiobooks episodically, while other audiobooks are available as digital downloads or in formats like CDs. The production level can range from simple to very involved, with more highly produced versions offering music, sound effects, and even multiple actors voicing the different characters.

Here are some of the most popular audiobook genres.

Erotica 

This one’s our personal fave. Erotica holds the uncontested title for the steamiest genre. With content so sexy it’ll make you squirm (in a good way) and voices hot enough to melt chocolate, erotica audiobooks have become hugely popular as an alternative to traditional porn.

Romance

The romance genre often comes with a hint of sex appeal, but romance authors place more of an emphasis on the romantic storyline than sex.

Mystery 

A mystery audiobook is a great way to add a bit of intrigue to the morning commute. You can sometimes even find a story that combines mystery with erotica or romance to simultaneously satisfy different parts of your brain (and body).

Biography

Fiction reigns supreme in the world of audiobooks, but nonfiction is growing in popularity. Stories about the lives of real people tend to resonate with listeners, making biographies a particularly successful subgenre within the nonfiction realm.

Why should you make an audiobook?

Are you on the fence about becoming an audiobook creator? Here are some of the top reasons to consider making the leap:

• Tap into massive market potential: We’ll always have a love for hard-copy books. But as the world becomes increasingly digital, the number of audiobook listeners will continue to rise.

• Enjoy consistent work: Platforms like Quinn offer ongoing work to freelance creators, so you can focus on your creative output instead of details like distribution and contracts. Thanks to Quinn and distributors like Spotify and Audible, the work-from-home life can quickly become a reality if you put your head down and hone your craft.

• Challenge yourself: Whether you’re a writer or voice actor — or better yet, both! — making audiobooks is a great way to flex your creative muscles.

• Build a fan base: Thanks to audiobooks, you don’t have to move to Hollywood to achieve star power and gain a loyal group of followers who hang onto your every word.

• Self-publish: Platforms like PublishDrive make it easy to take total control of your creative projects.

Make an audiobook in 9 steps

Ready to make your first audiobook? Here are eight steps to get started.

1. Find the story you want to tell

If you're new to audiobook creation, start with a shorter story to better manage your workload and budget. Your interest in the book's content is also key to conveying your passion to the audience. 

If you’re not the original author, don’t forget to get their permission for public release before investing time, energy, and money into the recording process.

2. Find the right narrator

If you have a written story you want to share, the narrator can make or break your audiobook. Their voice should align with the story's tone and character to really immerse listeners in the experience​​. If you feel up to the challenge, you can narrate it yourself. But if you’re unsure of how to narrate audiobooks or don’t think your voice is right for the job, you can also hire a professional.

Voice actors will generally charge you on a per-finished-hour (PFH) basis (payment for each hour of the finished recording). If you choose to hire, look for talent through agencies or websites like Voices.com and Upwork. 

3. Set up your recording equipment

You can rent space at a professional studio or set up your own studio at home. Professional studios offer high-quality results but can be costly, especially for longer books. For a DIY home studio, choose a space without a lot of hard surfaces to prevent echoes, and cover the walls in fabrics or acoustic foam for soundproofing. Invest in a high-quality microphone and pop filter to ensure the best audio quality possible.

4. Practice recording

Once your equipment and studio space are all set up, it’s time to do some practice rounds. Learn how the equipment and recording software work. Experiment with mic placement and test different gains and inputs until you get the sound you want.

During recording, don’t worry if you make a mistake. Just pause for a few seconds and go back to where you were before the error happened so you can edit it out later. Be sure to regularly save and back up your work, too — you’ll thank us later!

5. Prepare your voice

Voice warm-ups are a must before every recording session. Vocal exercises like deep breathing, tongue twisters, and phonation exercises help maintain a clear and consistent sound. 

It’s also crucial that you know your material inside and out. If your story includes multiple characters, practice their accents and mannerisms before you start, and keep each character’s voice consistent so that your listeners remain absorbed in the story.

6. Learn how to edit and enhance audio

During the post-recording process, you’ll want to start by correcting errors and removing any unwanted background noise. Audio enhancement tools can help you improve the quality of the audiobook narration. Adjust the pacing and timing for a natural flow, and apply compression and equalization for consistent audio levels.

You can also add music or sound effects to enrich the listening experience, but be mindful of copyright issues​​. And if you don’t think you’re tech-savvy enough to get the production quality you want, hiring a sound editor might be a worthwhile investment.

7. Create an audiobook cover

The cover of your audiobook doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it should be clean, professional, and reflective of the content. Tools like Canva make great covers possible for even the most novice designers.

Your audiobook packaging should include crucial metadata like the title, author’s name, and genre to aid in discoverability and help potential listeners know they’ve found the book they want. 

8. Make a plan for publication and distribution

Once you’ve polished your audiobook and made sure it’s good and ready, it's time to share it with the world. Platforms like Audible’s ACX and Spotify’s Findaway Voices are popular choices for releasing and distributing audiobooks. Ensure your audiobook is accessible and easy to find for your target audience​​.

9. Build a following

Social media is a powerful tool for creating buzz around your projects. You can also build a website, write blog posts, and send out a regular newsletter to help fans stay in the know about your upcoming work.

By following these detailed steps, you produce a professional project and transform your story into an immersive listening experience. Remember, each phase of production — from writing to recording to final distribution — will have a major impact on the success of your audiobook, so don’t rush the process and be diligent in every step along the way. 

Get started with Quinn

Want to learn how to become a book narrator? Our guide to voice acting for audio erotica can help you gain the skills you need to go from amateur to pro. And if you’re looking for inspiration, check out the wide range of erotic content on Quinn, the audio erotica app created by women for the world.

To access thousands of audio stories and guided masturbation sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.