AI voices are getting cheaper, distribution is getting messier, and indie creators are the ones feeling the squeeze. So I brought on Jess Herring, founder and CEO of Audiobook Empire, to talk straight about what it actually takes to produce a great audiobook and why the small decisions authors make early on can make or break sales later. We get into the practical stuff authors ask about constantly: why audiobooks matter for accessibility and for reaching audio-exclusive readers, what the production timeline looks like (Jess’s rule of thumb is six to eight weeks), and why “saving money” with a DIY approach can quietly cost you time, peace of mind, and long-term momentum. We also talk distribution strategy, including the wide versus exclusive decision and why there is no one-size-fits-all answer if you care about royalties, reach, and control. Then we shift to narrators and voice actors. Jess shares what she sees every time the roster opens, like broken links, inaccessible demo hosting, and avoidable typos that sink otherwise strong applications. We also dig into protecting your work online, why owning a domain and website matters, and how terms of service on “free” platforms can create real risk for your voice and your brand. Finally, we tackle the hard question: where do we draw the line with AI narration and AI art, and how do we steer creators toward better options without turning the community into a purity test. If you care about indie audiobooks, human performance, and smarter ways to support creators directly, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review so more authors, narrators, and listeners can find it. Audiobook Empire's Links: https://audiobookempire.com/ https://www.instagram.com/theaudiobookempire/ https://www.facebook.com/theaudiobookempire https://substack.com/@audiobookempire Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.
