Audiobook Production Pricing – Why Our Rates Are Reasonable (But Not Cheap)

At Indie Audiobook Productions, we’re often asked: “Why are your rates so reasonable?”

It’s a fair question - one we love answering - because it gives us the chance to explain what truly matters to us: fair, transparent audiobook production pricing and an exceptional audiobook production experience that self-published authors can feel proud of.

We created IAP to fill a gap in the market. Too often, we heard stories from indie authors who had been over-promised and under-delivered by other production companies. High fees, hidden costs, poor quality, and zero creative control were common themes.

Authors wanted to get their books into audio - but many felt locked out or let down. We knew there had to be a better way.

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Listening to the Pain Points of Indie Authors

From day one, our mission was to respond to the most common frustrations indie authors face when creating an audiobook:

• High Production Costs: Many authors felt priced out of audio altogether. The result? Either no audiobook - or turning to disconnected AI narration. We wanted to offer a third path: human, professional production that’s more accessible.

• Lack of Creative Control: Too many authors were sidelined in the process. From narrator selection to tone, their input was ignored. At IAP, your audiobook should reflect your voice, your vision - and that means collaboration from the start.

• Hidden Fees and Trust Issues: We’ve heard too many horror stories: surprise invoices, extra charges, or files that didn’t meet platform standards. That’s why our pricing is clear, upfront, and all-inclusive.

• Unvetted Narrators: Authors were overwhelmed by long lists of potential narrators, unsure who was legit - or even human. Every narrator on our roster is vetted, experienced, and assessed for both quality and professionalism.

With all of this in mind, we designed a simple, transparent process that puts you - the author - in control. Our goal? High-quality audiobooks you’re proud of, at a price point that feels achievable.

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Real Talk: Why Are Our Rates So Reasonable?

We sometimes get emails like this one from authors:

I used your online calculator and it seems crazy that an ACX-ready file – including editing, mastering, etc – would only cost £1,877 for a 68,000-word book. Another company quoted me £3,700. It almost seems too good to be true!

Here’s how we responded:

You’re not the first to say that. If we could make it even less, we would.

We built IAP to address the problems we kept hearing:

• Unaffordable production

• No author involvement

• Lack of trust and transparency

We’ve heard too many stories of unusable files, hidden costs, and stressful, expensive production experiences.

We’re not here to squeeze authors for all we can.

We’re here to help.

Our rates include the full production process - from prep and narration to editing, proofing, and mastering.

As more books come through the door, we’ll be able to pay our narrators more and expand – but fairness and transparency will always stay at the heart of what we do.

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Not Cheap. Just Honest.

When we say our prices are affordable, we mean they’re intentionally accessible - without cutting corners.

We know many indie authors are working with tight budgets. That shouldn’t exclude them from creating a professionally produced audiobook they can be proud of.

And just because our prices are lower than some of the big studios doesn’t mean the quality is.

We keep things reasonable by focusing on:

• Fair compensation, not inflated markups

• Streamlined processes

• Client trust, not upsells

As we grow, we plan to raise rates to better support our talented narrators - but we’ll always be upfront and transparent with our pricing.

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Why We Built IAP for Authors

What sets Indie Audiobook Productions apart?

We built this company for authors - not for ourselves.

We offer more than a service. We offer a collaborative, respectful experience where:

• Your input matters

• Your story is honoured

• Your audiobook reflects your intent

We’ll never take over the process, overcharge, or overpromise.We’ll walk with you - and give your words a voice that truly connects.

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Looking Ahead

As more authors choose IAP, we’ll expand our team, raise our narrator pay, and continue improving the service - but we won’t abandon our core values.

• Transparent pricing

• Clear communication

• A people-first, author-first approach

If you’ve been searching for an audiobook partner you can trust - who cares about the final product and the process - then you’re in the right place.

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The Heart Behind Our Audiobook Production Pricing

We’re here to make audiobook production more human, more fair, and more accessible for indie authors.

Whether you’re ready to start or just exploring your options, we’re always happy to talk.

📣 Contact us today and let’s bring your book to life.