Surveys conducted in 2008 by the Audio Publisher Association show that sales of audio books (also called "audiobooks") exceeded $1 billion within a one year time frame, making the audio book business very lucrative. An increasing number of Americans--28%--listened to audio books within that same year. Audio books are no longer just for the blind or very young; in today's busy world, active Americans are listening to more and more books as they exercise, commute or work at manual jobs.

How can you profit from this trend? There are several paths; one is to seek a traditional publisher for your book and encourage them to release it in audio, as well as print, format. Another route is to seek an audio-only publisher. And yet another path is to self-publish your book in audio format, selling it either as a download on the Internet or in more traditional CD format. Consider the steps you should take:

1. Gain a good understanding of the audiobook business.

2. Seek out appropriate audiobook publishers.

3. Consider self-publishing audiobooks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand audiobook publishers basics

It's at least as difficult to get your audio book released as it is to get a print book published. In fact, major publishers rarely release a book only in audio format; they almost always publish a print book and release an audio book version of it soon after. That said, there are some small publishers who mostly sell products online via websites featuring audio book summaries and instant downloads.

I recommend: The Audiobooks list is a great place to connect with others interested in writing and producing audio books; archives are available, as well as current discussions. The Audio Publishers Association is an excellent resource for those in the business; check out their "Industry Data" page for important information every writer and publisher should know about audio books.

Find audio book companies

The best way to find a major publisher for your audio book is to sell it in print format through a literary agent. Some established publishers also accept submissions directly from authors, but be sure to seek out--and follow explicitly--their submission guidelines.

I recommend: For a list of some of the top publishers of audiobooks, see Top10Links. WritersMarket.com is the best single source for finding appropriate publishers of any legitimate type; for a fee, you may log onto the frequently updated website and search for audio book publishers.

Consider audio book producing

If you don't want to publish a print version of your book, or you simply want to be more entrepreneurial, consider self-publishing your audio book. There are a number of businesses designed to help you produce professional audio books, but self-publishers might also consider doing all the recording and formatting themselves.

I recommend: Among audiobook producers, Spoken Books Publishing has established itself as a helpful resource for self-publishers; their services include hiring a narrator and taking care of mastering and cover design. AudioBrite is also takes care of everything from recording to packaging audiobooks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even if you're mostly interested in seeing your books in traditional print format, consider publishing audio books, too. This can greatly increase your readership--and your profits.

The audio book business is growing. Reading a book doesn't mean sitting under a light source with a bound stack of paper in your hands any more. Although a lot of readers still prefer hard- or soft-bound paper books, some readers are turning to e-books and audiobooks for convenience.

Busy lives leave less and less time for the bibliophile to sit with a volume of prose, and savvy writers keep this in mind when producing works for audiobook publication. Book lovers choose audiobooks as a way to 'read' while engaged in other activities, like a daily commute or an exercise routine.

Keep your audience in mind when publishing audio books:

1. People over 30 who tend to have above-average incomes and education enjoy multitasking with convenient audiobooks.

2. Parents purchase children's audiobooks for road trips and as an alternative to watching television.

3. Teachers and schools use audiobooks as part of their educational program offerings.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate audio book summaries as examples of the latest audiobook formats

The audiobook publishing business isn't limited to full narrations of fiction. Abridged versions of books, as well as book summaries for busy executives who need to stay current with trends and data, are also available. You can also explore this option without spending any money.

I recommend: Download a free sample audiobook from Audio-Tech, which offers MP3 versions of technical guides from 1999 to the present. The comany's library is searchable by date, format (i.e. MP3), alphabetical by title, category listing (i.e. Leadership), and by collection type (i.e. CEO library). Soundview Executive Book Summaries is a subscription-based pioneer in audiobook summaries. They have been outlining key business points of books since the late 1970's and offer various formats, including MP3 and PDA-compatible summaries.

Sell your book to an audiobook publisher at the top of the audiobook business

Purchasing audiobooks is as simple as purchasing any other type of book. Audiobooks are available in book stores, via online ordering, and through download. Audiobook publishers run the gamut from a narrow specialized niche focus to vast multi-genre offerings, so explore full-version audiobook publishers' sites to find the right publisher for your needs.

I recommend: The Audio Book Company offers mystery, non-fiction, science fiction, classics and children's audiobooks in cassette, CD, and downloadable formats. As a bonus, you can search for books recorded with the same narrator. Audible.com is an online audio book store where you can purchase and download books to your computer or other listening device. Customers can listen before buying.

Keep in mind the audio format your audio book publishers require

Publishers of audiobooks can be found everywhere, and they aren't all the same. If you'll be in charge of your book's production, or if you're targeting a specific audiobook seller, work with your publisher to guarantee that your book will be produced in the appropriate electronic format for your audience's needs.

I recommend: Consider two audio book companies which offer numerous books from in a variety of genres from different audio book publishers: Simply Audiobooks and HighBridge. They each produce books on cassette tape, CD, and downloadable audio formats. Find a listing of audiobook publishers through the AcqWeb Directory.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Finding audiobook producers for your own book may be quite challenging. It's a tough market to break into. Like traditional publishing, having an agent working on your behalf is the best way to go.

Audiobook publishers continue to enjoy a growing business thanks to their convenience, excellent voice actors/narrators, availability and vast selection. Sales for audiobooks have grown to more than $1 billion. Small, independent audiobook publishers and children’s audio book publishers can improve their competitiveness by taking advantage of existing training and education opportunities that keep them knowledgeable of the latest trends, news, technologies and techniques in the industry.

Audio books attract a broad spectrum of customers. Students can benefit from learning with audiobooks; busy people turn to audio books when they can't find time to sit down and read; blind people and many others can experience great literature through the talent of professional voice actors on audio books. Even with their popularity, publishers of audiobooks still face stiff competition from other audio book publishers. When considering a career publishing audiobooks, keep the following in mind:

1. Audiobook publishers education and training.

2. Training and education for voice actors entering the audiobook business.

3. Training and education opportunities for audiobook producers and graphic artists working for audiobook publishers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find education and training for audiobook publishers

Fortunately, you can find several professional trade organizations that offer training/education programs and events for publishers in the audio book business.

I recommend: The Audio Publishers Association, an organization created in 1987, publishes an industry events calendar you can use to find important events like the annual APA Conference. Consider the American Booksellers Association for keeping up with the industry through regional conferences/meetings, trade shows and other educational resources. Bookmark the Association of American Publishers as another source for important conferences and meetings, like those hosted by Professional Scholarly Publishing, a division of the AAP.

Get the right education and training to work as a voice actor for audio book companies

Simply owning a great voice won't get you a job as a voice actor for small publishers' audio books. Many have degrees related to performing arts. These actors work hard to develop their talent and put it to use, and audio book publishers prefer voice actors with experience.

I recommend: Edge Studio's Voice Design Group provides training through workshops, seminars and private coaching to help voice actors launch their careers. Learn more about the training provided by Such A Voice, a voice-over training and production company. Join Actor's Equity and take advantage of training programs and seminars offered by other professionals. Get an idea about the education, training and experience you need by visiting the Recorded Books Library website to learn about the backgrounds of some of its featured narrators.

Seek out educational opportunities for audiobook producers and others working in the industry

Training and education play important roles in your business's success and the ultimate success of those in your company who help in publishing audio books.

I recommend: As a producer for an audiobook publisher, you'll find plenty of educational opportunities in different venues offered by the American Book Producers Association. The ABPA sponsors luncheons, evening events and seminars designed to increase your knowledge of current trends in publishing and other topics of interest to book producers. Use Trew Audio's Book Nook to find educational books dealing with different aspects of audio book producing. An audiobook publisher also relies on knowledgeable graphic artists that can create eye-catching jackets for the finished audio book and writers that can craft audio book summaries that attract people to their books. Learn more about the educational events hosted by AIGA, formerly known as the American Institute of Graphic Arts, throughout the year.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Read more about the courses, seminars, conventions and conferences sponsored by any of the industry trade associations mentioned above, regardless of your specific position with an audiobook publisher, since most of the organizations offer educational information for everyone involved with the audiobook business.
• •  Get some practice and work experience while enhancing your resume by volunteering with Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic or other audiobook publishers that serve the visually impaired.