Field Notes · Essays on building StoryVox
StoryVox Field Notes
On audiobook production, voice cloning, and building StoryVox.
Audible's AI Policy in 2026: What Indie Authors Need to Know
ACX, Virtual Voice, and aggregator distribution. The current state of Audible's AI audio policy and what indie authors should be doing today.
industry trends · self-publishing
The AI Audiobook Generator Guide for Indie Authors (2026)
The complete framework for indie author audiobook production in 2026 — what to look for, how to think about backlist conversion, and the math that finally works.
self-publishing · audiobook production · ai voices
How to Convert Google Docs to an Audiobook
You don't need to migrate to Word, Scrivener, or specialized publishing software. The clean export-and-cleanup workflow for Google Docs manuscripts.
audiobook production · tutorials
Audiobook Launch Checklist for Indie Authors
Six weeks to launch day to first month — a practical, working-author checklist for launching an audiobook on the same timeline as your ebook in 2026.
self-publishing · audiobook production · tutorials
How Long Should Audiobook Chapters Be? A Practical Guide
A chapter that reads beautifully on the page can feel interminable in audio. The 15–25 minute sweet spot, when to split, when to combine.
audiobook production · tutorials
Audiobook Before or After Ebook Launch? The Indie Author's Decision Tree
Same-day, lag, or audio-first? The timing question indie authors couldn't ask in 2018 — and the genre-specific defaults that make sense in 2026.
self-publishing · audiobook production
Voice Cloning vs Hiring a Narrator: Which Makes Sense for Your Book?
Two orders of magnitude separate these two paths in 2026. When cloning beats hiring, when hiring beats cloning, and when the hybrid makes sense.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing
Who Owns the Copyright to an AI-Narrated Audiobook?
The marketing answer is loud and alarmist. The legal answer is simpler — and for most indie authors, straightforwardly favorable.
self-publishing · industry trends
Are AI Audiobooks Accepted on Audible in 2026? The Current Rules
AI-narrated audiobooks reach Audible in 2026 — through three different paths with different rules. The current state of the policy landscape, explained for indie authors.
self-publishing · industry trends
Best AI Voice for Memoir Audiobook: When to Clone Your Own
Memoir is the genre where listeners most want the author's actual voice. The decision tree for cloning, hiring, or picking a library voice that fits.
ai voices · audiobook production · self-publishing
Best AI Voice for Nonfiction and Business Book Audiobooks
Nonfiction listeners want authority without lecture. A category-by-category voice guide plus the author-narration question every nonfiction author has to answer.
ai voices · audiobook production · self-publishing
Best AI Voice for Thriller Audiobook: Tone, Pacing, and Tension
Thriller listeners notice pacing first. Voice selection for psychological, action, espionage, and crime — including the antagonist voice most authors get wrong.
ai voices · audiobook production · self-publishing
Best AI Voice for Fantasy Audiobook: How to Choose for Epic, Urban, and Romantasy
Fantasy audiobooks live or die on the pronunciation dictionary and the male-lead voice. A subgenre-by-subgenre voice guide for indie fantasy authors.
ai voices · audiobook production · self-publishing
Best AI Voice for Romance Audiobook: A Narrator Selection Guide
Romance listeners are voice-particular. Here's how to pick an AI narrator that doesn't get returned in chapter one — by subgenre, POV, and heat level.
ai voices · audiobook production · self-publishing
AI Audiobook Education: How Teachers Use Them in Class
One teacher, one afternoon, an entire curriculum in audio. Here's how AI audiobook tools are transforming classrooms for every kind of learner.
accessibility · ai voices · industry trends
StoryVox vs Inkfluence AI: Which Audiobook Generator Wins?
StoryVox and Inkfluence AI don't actually compete. Learn the key difference before you invest in either tool for your audiobook project.
audiobook production · self-publishing · ai voices
StoryVox vs Narratemi: Pricing, Voices & Features Compared
Comparing StoryVox and Narratemi? Here's a breakdown of pricing, voice quality, and workflow so you can choose the right AI audiobook tool for your manuscript.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · cost analysis
StoryVox vs AudiobookGen: Side-by-Side Comparison
Confused by the search results? We cut through the noise with a clear, honest comparison of StoryVox vs AudiobookGen for AI audiobook production.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · cost analysis
Audiobook Accessibility AI: Making Books Available to Everyone
38% of Americans want to try audiobooks in 2025. Audiobook accessibility AI is breaking barriers so every reader — and every author — can participate.
accessibility · ai voices · audiobook production · industry trends
How Teachers Use AI Audiobooks in the Classroom (2025)
AI audiobooks are transforming classrooms beyond just pressing play. Discover how educators are actively building lessons around this fast-growing technology.
ai voices · accessibility · industry trends
StoryVox vs Google Auto-Narrate: Full Comparison
Google Auto-Narrate is free — but is it right for indie authors? See how StoryVox vs Google Auto-Narrate stack up on quality, control, and distribution.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · distribution · cost analysis
How to Write an Audiobook Description That Sells
A weak description buries even the best audiobook. Learn how to write an audiobook description that sells with proven techniques any indie author can use.
self-publishing · tutorials
How AI Voice Technology Is Changing Book Publishing
Audiobook production once cost $5,000 and took months. AI voice technology in publishing is eliminating that barrier for authors of every budget.
ai voices · audiobook production · self-publishing · industry trends
Audiobook Cover Art Metadata Distribution: Full Guide
Avoid rejected submissions and buried listings. Learn exactly what cover art specs and metadata you need for audiobook distribution success.
audiobook production · distribution · self-publishing
Audiobook Marketing for Indie Authors: Getting Your First Sales
Audiobook production costs $2,000–$4,000 before your first sale. Here's how indie authors can break into the fastest-growing publishing segment without breaking the bank.
audiobook production · self-publishing · industry trends · cost analysis
AI Audiobook Quality in 2026: How Good Are the Voices Really?
AI audiobook quality in 2026 has reached a turning point. We break down how today's voice synthesis stacks up against human narrators.
ai voices · audiobook production · self-publishing · industry trends · cost analysis
Why Every Self-Published Author Needs an Audiobook in 2026
Audiobook sales hit $2.22 billion in 2024. If you're a self-published author without an audio edition, you're handing revenue directly to authors who do.
audiobook production · self-publishing · industry trends · distribution
KDP Virtual Voice vs AI Narration: What's the Difference?
Weighing KDP Virtual Voice against third-party AI narration tools? Here's how they compare on cost, quality, and control so you can choose wisely.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · cost analysis
Audible Audiobook Return Rates: What Every Author Should Know
Audible's return policy could be quietly draining your royalties. Learn how audible audiobook return rates work and how to protect your earnings.
self-publishing · distribution · industry trends · cost analysis
ACX Audio Requirements for AI Audiobooks: Complete Spec Guide
Avoid rejection with this complete breakdown of ACX audio requirements for AI audiobooks — RMS levels, noise floor, bit rate, and more.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · distribution · tutorials
What Is ACX? How to Publish an Audiobook on Audible
ACX is the platform that gets your audiobook onto Audible. Here's what indie authors need to know about publishing through it in 2025.
audiobook production · self-publishing · distribution · tutorials
Google Play Books vs Audible Audiobook: Best for Indie Authors
Audible dominates with 63% market share, but is it right for you? Compare royalties, requirements, and reach before choosing where to sell your audiobook.
distribution · self-publishing · cost analysis
Audiobook Distribution Guide for Indie Authors (2024)
Indie authors who added audio saw 50%+ royalty gains in 2024. This audiobook distribution guide shows you exactly how to close that gap.
distribution · self-publishing · industry trends
Sell Audiobook Direct: Gumroad, Payhip & Your Own Site
Audible pays 40%. Payhip pays 95%. Here's how to sell your audiobook direct on Gumroad, Payhip, or your own site and keep more of every sale.
self-publishing · distribution · cost analysis · tutorials
Audiobook Royalties: ACX vs Findaway vs Direct Distribution
Audible pays up to 40% — but only if you go exclusive. Here's how audiobook royalties on ACX, Findaway, and direct platforms really compare.
audiobook production · distribution · self-publishing · cost analysis
Audiobook Pricing Strategy: How Much Should You Charge?
Production costs can hit $4,000 before you sell a single copy. Here's how to build an audiobook pricing strategy that recovers your investment and drives sales.
audiobook production · self-publishing · cost analysis
Findaway Voices Guide: Distribution, Royalties & Setup
Findaway Voices has changed hands twice in three years. Here's what indie authors need to know about distribution, royalties, and setup before signing up.
audiobook production · self-publishing · distribution · cost analysis
Best AI Voice Fiction Audiobook: Tone, Genre & How to Choose
AI narration is affordable — but finding the best AI voice for your fiction audiobook means matching tone, pacing, and genre. Here's how to choose.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · cost analysis
Voice Cloning for Audiobooks: How It Works & What It Costs
Voice cloning for audiobooks lets authors narrate their book in their own voice — without weeks in a studio. Here's how it works and what it costs.
audiobook production · ai voices · voice technology · cost analysis · self-publishing
Multilingual AI Audiobook: Reach Readers in 8 Languages
Your novel is invisible to 1.5 billion non-English listeners. Learn how multilingual AI audiobooks can open global markets without breaking your budget.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · industry trends · cost analysis
Non-Fiction vs Fiction Audiobook AI Voice: Different Rules
The wrong AI voice can sink your audiobook before chapter two. Learn why non-fiction and fiction demand completely different voice strategies.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing
How to Choose the Right AI Voice for Your Book's Genre
Picking the wrong AI voice can sink even a brilliant audiobook. Learn a smarter method to choose AI voice book genre matches that captivate listeners.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing
Text-to-Speech vs AI Narration: What's the Difference?
TTS and AI narration aren't the same thing. Learn the key differences and choose the right tool for your audiobook project.
audiobook production · ai voices · voice technology · self-publishing
How to Add a Pronunciation Guide to Your Audiobook
One mispronounced name can cost you five-star reviews. Learn how to add a pronunciation guide to your audiobook and keep listeners happy from chapter one.
audiobook production · self-publishing · tutorials
Audiobook Length Guide: How Many Hours Will Your Book Be?
An 80,000-word novel runs about 8.5 hours of audio — not 12, not 6. Learn exactly how long your audiobook will be before production starts.
audiobook production · self-publishing · cost analysis
Audiobook Formatting: Chapters, Credits, and File Structure
Most first-time audiobook producers nail the recording but fail on file structure. Here's exactly how to format chapters, credits, and files for ACX and beyond.
audiobook production · self-publishing · tutorials
AI Audiobook Dialogue & Multiple Characters: Full Guide
Making each character sound distinct in AI audiobooks is harder than it looks. Here's how indie authors can pull it off without a full voice cast.
audiobook production · ai voices · tutorials · self-publishing
How Long Does It Take to Create an AI Audiobook?
Traditional audiobooks take 6–8 weeks to produce. AI audiobook creation compresses that timeline dramatically — here's what to expect.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · industry trends
Best Free Audiobook Production Tools in 2026
Professional narration costs up to $3,000 per book. Discover the best free audiobook production tools in 2026 to go from manuscript to retail-ready MP3.
audiobook production · self-publishing · cost analysis · tutorials
Common Mistakes Making Your First AI Audiobook
Pasting your manuscript and hitting generate is just the start of what can go wrong. Here's how to avoid the most costly first-timer errors.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · tutorials
How to Create an Audiobook from a Blog Post or Newsletter
Your best blog posts are already halfway to audiobooks. Here's how to convert them into polished audio content that reaches the 67% of Americans who prefer listening.
audiobook production · tutorials · self-publishing
How Teachers Use AI Audiobooks in the Classroom
AI audiobooks in education are helping students with print disabilities, ELL learners, and auditory learners access content like never before.
accessibility · ai voices · industry trends
Sell AI-Narrated Audiobooks on ACX & Beyond: Full Guide
AI narration can slash audiobook costs from $4,000 to almost nothing — but can you actually sell AI-narrated audiobooks on ACX? Here's what you need to know.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · distribution
How to Make an Audiobook with AI: The Complete Guide
AI narration lets indie authors produce professional audiobooks for a fraction of the cost. Here's exactly how to do it in 2025.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · tutorials · cost analysis
Audiobook Market Size 2026: Growth Trends & Opportunities
The audiobook market in 2026 is projected between $8.68B and $14.15B. Here's what double-digit growth means for indie authors considering audio production.
industry trends · audiobook production · self-publishing
Can You Sell AI-Narrated Audiobooks? Distribution Guide for 2026
Yes, you can sell AI-narrated audiobooks in 2026. Here's where, how, and what each platform requires.
distribution · self-publishing · industry trends
AI Audiobook vs Human Narrator: An Honest Comparison
AI narration or a human voice actor? We break down the real costs, timelines, and trade-offs to help indie authors make the right call.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · cost analysis
StoryVox vs ElevenLabs Audiobook: Features, Pricing & Quality
AI audiobook tools have slashed production costs for indie authors. Here's how StoryVox and ElevenLabs stack up on features, pricing, and voice quality.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · cost analysis
AI Audiobook Trends to Watch in 2026 and Beyond
AI-narrated audiobooks grew 36% year over year — and 2026 looks even bigger. Here's what indie authors need to know right now.
industry trends · ai voices · self-publishing
How to Convert a PDF to an Audiobook in Minutes
Skip the $3,600 narrator bill. Learn how to convert a PDF to an audiobook yourself in an afternoon — with results good enough to sell on Audible.
audiobook production · self-publishing · tutorials · cost analysis
How to Test AI Voices: Audiobook Sample Guide Before You Commit
Picking the wrong AI narrator voice wastes time and money. Learn how to properly test AI voices with your actual manuscript before full audiobook production.
audiobook production · ai voices · tutorials · self-publishing
How to Prepare Your Manuscript for AI Narration
Paste clean text into your AI voice tool and get polished audio back. Here's how to prepare your manuscript for AI narration the right way.
audiobook production · ai voices · tutorials
How to Convert DOCX to Audiobook with AI (Fast & Cheap)
Learn how to convert a DOCX manuscript to a professional audiobook using AI voice synthesis — in an afternoon, for a fraction of traditional studio costs.
audiobook production · ai voices · self-publishing · tutorials · cost analysis
From EPUB to Audiobook: A Step-by-Step Conversion Guide
A complete guide to converting your EPUB into a distribution-ready audiobook using AI narration, from file prep to ACX export.
tutorials · audiobook production · self-publishing
Audiobooks, without the studio.
The economics that gated audiobook production for forty years just changed. What it means for the next thousand books worth reading.
How Much Does It Cost to Make an Audiobook in 2026?
Full cost breakdown of audiobook production in 2026 — from $15 AI narration to $15,000+ professional studios.
cost analysis · audiobook production · self-publishing