2025 Book Publishing Predictions: 7 Trends Authors & Coaches Need To Know (Audiobook Gold Rush)

The Book Writing & Publishing World is Going to Be Unrecognizable in 2025. Here’s How To Make the Most of these Trends…

After leaving my position as a communications lead at the United Nations overseas, I've spent the last years helping thought leaders, coaches, celebrities and grandmothers bring their wisdom to the page. As a book doula, I’m all about changing lives and businesses through books! And I’m glad you’re here because I'm more excited than ever about the opportunities for wealth and impact ahead.

Right now, self-published ‘indie’ authors are earning up to double the amount of those using traditional publishing models, according to analysis by the University of Glasgow’s CREATe. That excellent piece of news is just one arm of the octopus.

Here are my predictions for 2025, backed by emerging trends and insights I'm seeing in our rapidly evolving industry. If you’re writing a book or are thinking about it, this is an essential read for you.

I’ve also enclosed resources for each of the seven trends to help you make the most of it wherever possible, so consider bookmarking this page for reference now before you continue.

Here are seven key shifts that I believe will shape our industry and your potential earning & impact:

1. The Rise of "Hybrid Authority" Books

We're going to see an unprecedented merger between personal expertise and collaborative wisdom in nonfiction books. I predict the days of the lone expert voice will keep evolving into something more powerful and authentic. Especially in business and life coaching and as people get tired of the AI-echochamber of content being dumped on online.

I'm seeing successful books increasingly weave together three key elements: the author's core methodology, client transformation stories, and expert insights from their professional network. With Pew Report studies showing that 82% of business book readers value real-world application over theory, this shift couldn't come at a better time. The most successful coaches are already incorporating 3-5 detailed case studies per core concept to support their methodology.

This is especially good news for coaches who already have a community of clients with powerful transformation stories. Your book doesn't need to showcase just your voice – it can be a compendium of others’ lived experiences that validates your approach and really lands with readers. 

To make the most of this trend, I’m encouraging all my private book doula clients to (more than ever!) shift away from telling and into showing. Ask yourself, how can you demonstrate your truths and advice by getting vulnerable and illuminating them with true stories and client case studies. What stories will shine and connect deeply, even if perhaps they don’t always show you in the best light at first?

In the age of AI copywriting - in 2025 and beyond readers will increasingly mistrust ‘information’ as just another piece created by CHATGPT and empty B.S.. People will put a premium on hero’s willing to show their shadows before claiming the throne of redemption and glory.

Stories of lived experiences will stand out and resonate as trustworthy and true more than ever before.

How will you tap into your network and life experience to imagine a powerful book that fits this trend?

Emily Bauman teaches a book writing and marketing workshop in Tulum, Mexico

2. “Living" Digital Companions AKA “Book Hubs” Will Become Essential

Physical books will remain cherished, but they'll increasingly launch with dynamic digital companions that evolve over time. Think multimedia resource hubs online where you can update examples, add new worksheets, and foster community discussions. QR codes included in the book will be increasingly popular to direct readers to resources, meditations, videos and prompts to join programs or communities. It’s exciting! For coaches especially, this creates an incredible opportunity to bridge the gap between your book and your practice. I’ve noticed that author and speaker Brené Brown does this really well with her book hubs, providing valuable tools to her readers to explore themes of courage, vulnerability and shame in their own lives.

Dec 20, 2024 screenshot from https://brenebrown.com/

In the same way, your readers can move seamlessly from your pages to your digital space, where they'll find fresh content and opportunities to engage with you directly.

Think about creating digital workspaces and website hubs where your readers can:

- Access updated examples and case studies

- Download customizable worksheets, journal prompts or checklists

- Participate in monthly implementation discussions or a paid mastermind

- Track their progress through your methodology

The key is designing this ecosystem before you write your first chapter, ensuring seamless integration between your book's content and its digital extension.

If marketing or digital marketing and web design aren’t your zone of genius, then working with a strategist or consultant could help you see the big vision. Make sure you get a second opinion to fill in any gaps in your ecosystem, helping it reach its full impact and revenue potential.

3. The Audiobook Gold Rush Will Reach New Heights

My heart leaps with happy thoughts when I share this prediction because it represents such an incredible opportunity for first time authors, coaches, and thought leaders. The audiobook market is experiencing explosive growth – we're seeing 20-30% year-over-year expansion, pushing toward a staggering $13 billion annual market by 2028. Here's what makes this especially exciting for coaches and nonfiction authors:

- Royalty Structures That Favour Authors:

  * 40% royalties for platform-exclusive deals

  * 25% for wide distribution options

  * Average earnings 3-5x higher per unit compared to ebook sales

  * Particularly strong returns for self-help and transformational content

The most successful genres are aligning perfectly with coaching expertise:

- Self-help/Personal Development

- Transformational Teaching

- Memoir/Personal Story

- Business Methodology

- Romance & Fantasy

-Thrillers & Mystery

Who doesn’t love the time-out of a good romance audiobook (or writing one for that matter.

Pro Tip from your Book Doula: Consider recording your audiobook yourself if you're a coach, leader or public figure – listeners report 30% higher engagement rates with author-narrated transformational content. 

Resource

Here is a related blog post I crafted that walks you through all the key steps and considerations for making your first successful audiobook. Yes, all the steps and recommendations for which platforms to use to record and then distribute your audiobook:

READ IT HERE and perhaps bookmark the post for later for when you’re ready to record your first audiobook empire-building masterpiece.

4. Amazon's Algorithm Will Reward "Reader Completion Metrics"

Here's something fascinating on the horizon: Amazon's algorithms will likely start weighing reader engagement patterns more heavily than just raw sales numbers. They'll track how quickly readers finish books, whether they highlight passages, and if they recommend the book to others.

This means authors who create genuinely engaging, well-structured content that readers actually finish will see better organic visibility than those who just optimize for initial sales.

For coaches, service-based CEOs and teachers, this is wonderful news – your focus on practical, implementable content naturally lends itself to higher engagement rates. By 2025, we'll see Amazon's recommendation engine heavily weighted toward what I call "completion metrics." Amazon scrubs its data from your ebooks and to a smaller degree, audiobooks.

Early indicators suggest books with high completion rates are already receiving up to 2.5x more organic visibility. Here's what I'm advising my authors to include:

- Implementation checkpoints every 20-25 pages

- Reader progress trackers with clear milestones

- "Quick win" exercises that deliver immediate value

- Summary cards perfect for digital highlighting

When readers actively engage with these elements, your book's visibility naturally increases. I'm seeing coaches who structure their books this way consistently maintain higher sales rankings over time.

Sound overwhelming? Consider including "action prompts" throughout your chapters that encourage readers to pause, reflect, and apply your teachings. Simple and effective way to build in a success strategy into your book format, whether its relationship and dating advice or a book on how to build an organic garden on your balcony.

5. Micro-Pre-Launch Communities Will Drive Success

The most successful authors in 2025 and beyond will cultivate small, deeply engaged pre-launch communities (think 100-200 people) who help shape the book during its creation. Why? These early readers will provide invaluable feedback, validate each chapter’s viability with the target audience, create initial word-of-mouth momentum, and often become your book's biggest champions.

The data is clear: books launched with engaged pre-launch communities are seeing 3-4x higher first-month sales and significantly better Amazon rankings. But here's what's fascinating – it's not about size. Books with highly engaged pre-launch communities of 150-200 people are often outperforming those with larger but less engaged groups of 1000+. This "quality over quantity" approach perfectly suits coaches who already have deep relationships with their clients.

Start imagining how you can involve select clients in your writing journey, making them feel valued while ensuring your book truly serves your audience's needs. This brilliant strategy is easier said than done! Not because people aren’t eager to support your book birthing. The greatest barriers will be inside you - as always! Wanting a chapter to be “perfect” before you share it is crippling for many. Feeling not-yet-ready to allow others into your journey or anxious about being capable of consistent sharing are two more common blocks to a successful pre-launch community.

I see this every week inside my B.O.S.S. (being of sacred service) Books Collective and I have the honour of guiding authors to dissolve the blocks with my bespoke practices.

Resources

Experience the shifts yourself for $60 a month in our fun, book writing community where you can pla, write and launch your own bestseller in as little as 90 days. Or grab a copy to read through it in Born To Write: Transform Your Wisdom into a Bestseller in 90 Days by Emily Bauman. The Ebook is $7 Canadian, and reviews are saying the creative unblocking process is priceless!

6. The Coaching Credibility Divide Widens

By 2025, having a published book will be more than just a nice-to-have for coaches – it will be the primary dividing line between different tiers of perceived expertise and reputation. We're already seeing:

- Coaches with books commanding 40-60% higher fees

- 75% higher client retention rates for author-coaches

- 3x more speaking opportunities

- 85% higher media coverage rates

The Market Is Particularly Demanding Books From:

- Financial & Money Coaches

- Leadership Development Experts

- Transformation Specialists in All Areas

- Business Strategy Coaches

- Life Purpose/Career Transition Coaches

The Harvard Business Review piece entitled "The Wild West of Executive Coaching" backed this up. Interestingly, coaches who integrate their book's methodology into their coaching practice and associate a book with their coaching containers are seeing:

- 50% faster client acquisition

- 25% higher program completion rates

- 90% more referrals from existing clients

Writing a book shows you are not a new face, you’re an established, trustworthy voice in your industry. You have the confidence and grit to complete a major project like writing and self-publishing a book. And it shows you’re in it for the legacy, impact and being of sacred service - not just interested in having a high social following count, mentoring VIPs or charging $50,000 for a mastermind.

I’m convinced that in 2025, any teacher, service-based entrepreneur or coach with experience under their belt can publish a bestseller. In fact, I created a blueprint on how to do it, and podcast episode called The 13th Key Book Formula: Proof Anyone can Write a Bestseller which lays it all out.

7. The Rise of "Hybrid-Plus" Publishing Models

We're going to see the traditional vs. self-publishing divide become almost meaningless as new "Hybrid-Plus" models emerge. These will combine the creative control and speed of self-publishing with the professional support typically associated with traditional publishing. The Balboa Press side of HayHouse is a perfect example. Goodbye traditional publishing and 2-year timelines. Say hello to the "Hybrid-Plus" model, which I believe will dominate by 2025. These emerging platforms are offering:

- 90-120 day production timelines

- 50-70% royalty rates

- Professional editing and design services

- Integrated marketing support

- Distribution to all major platforms (digitally, not getting you on Barnes & Nobles shelves)

Expect to see more boutique publishing partners offering à la carte services like developmental editing, marketing strategy, and distribution support, allowing authors to build custom publishing packages. What's particularly exciting for coaches is that these models will often include guidance on integrating your book with your broader business strategy – something traditional publishers rarely address. Many of these platforms are now offering guidance on:

- Turning book concepts into signature programs

- Creating book-based workshop materials

- Developing lead generation systems

- Building speaking platforms around your book

What most hybrid publishers don’t do, however, is support you to complete your manuscript. Take note, that’s still on you!

No matter how much you can pay them, they won’t do the inner work with you - getting you to believe that your memoir matters or that your storytelling is good enough. Seeing what’s really beneath your procrastination or using the ill-health of a family member to stall your writing progress is key. Authors in 2025 and beyond will have to contend with the gremlins of resistance no matter what publishing opportunities are out there. Working with a book doula or somatic coach for inner processes that comes with stepping into a new role will be essential.

Likewise, the key will be choosing hybrid publishing partners who understand both the publishing landscape and the unique needs of coach-authors and their clients. Not everyone speaks your language or understands conscious approaches, energy, or more subtle factors so choose wisely!

This is a lot of information and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s completely natural. Remember that being an author and publishing is a business. There are lots of support systems out there to rely on, people to whom you can delegate.

THE KEY TO SUCCESS in 2025 AND BEYOND

Craft Must Meet Consciousness: The Inner Game Becomes the Ultimate Success Metric

Here's something fascinating I'm seeing in my coaching practice: technical writing skill is only about 30-40% of what determines an author's success. The real game-changer? Inner work, somatic resilience and emotional bandwidth. By 2025, I predict we'll see this truth become even more evident

A Book’s Success Factors Breaking Down As:

- 40% Technical Writing Capability

- 35% Inner Work/Energy/Mindset of the Author

- 25% Platform/Marketing

I'm seeing authors who integrate both craft and consciousness achieving:

- 3x higher completion rates

- 2x faster writing timelines

- 4x greater likelihood of meeting launch deadlines

- 70% reduction in creative blocks

This is backed by International Coaching Federation (ICF) "Global Coaching Study" 2024.

Which found that authors who struggle most often stall at the 70% completion mark – not due to lack of skill, but due to internal barriers. Some authors manage to press publish then play like an ostrich - taking their energy away from the book and failing to promote it with effective strategies. 

This is why I'm not a writing coach, I’m a book doula known for incorporating deep somatic, energy and mindset work into every stage of the writing journey. The nexus of craft meets consciousness and will continue to birth successful books - books that transform the author who writes it and their global communities who read it. 

The Path Forward

At the end of the day, these industry shifts aren't about making publishing more complicated – they're about making it more human, more connected, and ultimately more impactful. These 2025 book publishing trends aren't just market forces – they're opportunities to serve your readers more deeply and authentically. Your expertise, combined with these emerging platforms and strategies, creates an unprecedented opportunity to share your message and transform lives through your work.

Your voice and message matter more than ever.

I truly believe you have a story the world needs, and one only you can tell.

Reflection Points

I encourage you to sit with these predictions and consider how they align with your vision for your book.

Which of these elements most excites you?

Where do you see your unique wisdom fitting into this evolving landscape?

What support systems do you need to make a brave move and start writing your book? 

The hardest part is to begin.

Feel free to book a complementary 30 minute strategy session with me to outline or validate your book idea and publishing plan.

With deep belief in your message and value to the world,

Your Book Doula

Emily Bauman

______

Sources & Methodology That Informed My Predictions

Key Sources for Publishing Industry Statistics & Trends

Audiobook Market Growth & Revenue

- Grand View Research Report (2024): "Audiobook Market Size & Share Report, 2024-2030"

  * Validates the 20-30% YoY growth rate

  * Projects market size reaching towards $13B

  * URL: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/audiobooks-market

- Audio Publishers Association (APA) Annual Sales Survey

  * Most recent data on audiobook revenue growth

  * Details on bestselling genres

  * URL: https://www.audiopub.org/industry-data

Author Earnings & Royalties

- Written Word Media's "Author Survey 2023"

  * Data on author income across publishing models

  * Comparison of ebook vs audiobook earnings

  * URL: https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/author-survey/

- Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) "Self-Publishing 3.0 Report"

  * Current royalty rates across platforms

  * Income comparisons between traditional and self-published authors

  * URL: https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/reports/

Coaching Industry Statistics that Informed My 2025 Predictions

- International Coaching Federation (ICF) "Global Coaching Study"

  * Latest data on coaching fees and revenue

  * Impact of published books on coaching credibility

  * URL: https://coachingfederation.org/research/global-coaching-study

- Harvard Business Review Articles:

  1. "The Wild West of Executive Coaching" (Updated analysis)

  * Credibility factors in executive coaching

  * Impact of published works on perceived expertise

  * URL: https://hbr.org/coaching-and-mentoring

Digital Publishing Trends

- Publishers Weekly Market Reports

  * Current data on digital companion content

  * Reader engagement metrics

  * URL: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/

- Digital Book World Annual Reports

  * Statistics on reader engagement

  * Digital companion effectiveness

  * URL: https://www.digitalbookworld.com/reports/

Reader Behavior & Engagement

- Pew Research Center's Reading & Publishing Reports

  * Reader behavior statistics

  * Format preferences

  * URL: https://www.pewresearch.org/topics/books-and-reading/

Important Disclaimer:

While these sources are generally reliable, market conditions change rapidly, and authors should verify current data for their specific needs.

Step by step guide to create your first profitable audiobook (by a book coach)

let's map out your audiobook success roadmap! Here's the step-by-step guide to transforming your manuscript into an audio revenue generator:

Step 1: Prepare Your Manuscript

• Ensure your final edited manuscript is completely polished

• Create a clean, formatted document specifically for narration

• Remove any complex formatting that might confuse a narrator

• Highlight any pronunciation notes or special character voices

• Prepare a character list and pronunciation guide if needed

Step 2: Choose Your Production Method. This is a big decision. You've got three primary paths to record your audiobook. Here are the key considerations for each choice to support your decision:

Should I do it myself? Maybe you’re thinking should I just record the audiobook myself or should I be hiring a professional narrator? Before we jump into the three options, let me share a metaphor I always offer my book writing clients at this key crossroads moment. There are personal, time, and financial repercussions for each pathway.

Embarking on the audiobook narration journey is like choosing between a luxury cruise and a thrilling DIY sailing adventure. Hiring a professional narrator is like having a seasoned captain navigate your literary ship—they bring polished expertise, professional sound quality, and the nuanced emotional interpretation that can transform your words into an auditory masterpiece. These vocal artists can breathe life into characters, handle complex pronunciations, and deliver a consistently engaging performance that might be beyond the reach of a first-time narrator. But—and it's a big but—this expertise comes with a hefty price tag, often ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 for a full-length book.

On the flip side, narrating your own book is like captaining your own vessel. You know your characters' voices intimately, can infuse the narrative with your unique passion and personal touch, and save a significant chunk of change. However, this route demands serious audio skills, professional recording equipment, sound engineering knowledge, and the ability to maintain consistent vocal quality and energy across hours of recording.

It's a bit like performing a marathon while simultaneously being a sound technician—challenging, but potentially rewarding for authors with the right mix of vocal talent and technical prowess.

Your choice ultimately depends on your budget, technical skills, book genre, personal comfort level behind the microphone, and access to a sufficiently quiet recording space for enough time to get the job done right.

Now lets check out the key considerations around audio narration more carefully, before continuing on the journey of every step required to get you from beloved manuscript to published, perfected audiobook.

1. Professional Narrator Route

• Most expensive ($2,000-$5,000)

• Highest production quality

• Best for fiction and complex narratives

• Platforms: ACX, Findaway Voices, Voices.com

  2. AI Voice Generation Route

• Most affordable ($0-$500)

• Quick production time

• Best for non-fiction, technical books that don’t require full range of human emotional expressions and character variety

• Platforms to consider: Eleven Labs, Amazon Polly

• Good for testing market interest before hiring a professional narrator

  3. DIY Narration

• Cheapest option (equipment costs)

• Perfect if you have a great speaking voice and time

• Requires audio recording and editing skills

• Minimum equipment: Good microphone, audio interface, quiet recording space

Step 3: Narration Selection If Using a Professional Narrator:

• Listen to multiple narrator demos

• Ensure narrator matches your book's tone

• Request audition samples specific to your manuscript

• Check narrator's experience in your genre

• Negotiate rates (per finished hour or flat fee)

If Using AI to Create Your Audiobook, Remember to:

• Select voice that matches book's tone

• Test multiple AI voices or pay Eleven Labs to clone your voice (yes, that’s a thing now and it’s not overly expensive)

• Adjust pronunciation and intonation

• Run a full manuscript test to see if you can tolerate how non-human or human it comes across.

Step 4: Technical Production Audio Quality Requirements:

• Minimum 192 kbps bit rate

• Noise floor below -60 dB

• Consistent volume levels

• Clean, professional sound

• No background noise

• Proper chapter breaks

• Consistent pacing

Your Editing Checklist Should Include:

• Remove mouth sounds

• Eliminate background noise

• Consistent volume

• Smooth chapter transitions

• Add intro/outro music (optional)

Step 5: Distribution Platforms Top Recommended Platforms:

• Audible/ACX (largest market)

• Findaway Voices (widest distribution)

• Author's Republic

• Draft2Digital Audio

• Spotify (emerging audiobook market)

Royalty Considerations:

• Exclusive distribution: Higher royalties (40%)

• Non-exclusive: Lower royalties (25%) but more flexibility

• Negotiate terms carefully

Step 6: Marketing Your Audiobook Promotional Strategies:

• Leverage existing book reviews

• Create audiogram samples

• Share short audio clips on social media

• Offer first chapter free

• Cross-promote with ebook/print versions

• Use podcast and book review platforms to BAA (Borrow an Audience) which I talk you through extensively in my book Born to Write: Transform Your Wisdom into a Bestseller in 90 Days

• Target audiobook-specific review sites

Your Pricing Strategy Can Include:

• Match print book pricing

• Offer launch discounts

• Consider bundle options

• Use promotional codes

Bonus Pro Tips from Your Book Doula, Emily:

• Start with shorter works to learn the process

• Reinvest initial profits into better production

• Track your metrics obsessively

• Be patient - building audiobook audience takes time

Realistic Potential Revenue Breakdown Per Book:

• First Year Potential: $500-$5,000

• Long-term Potential: $1,000-$10,000 annually

• Top performers: $20,000+ per year
  

  Take The Portfolio Approach

• Remember you don’t have stop at just one audiobook. Keep writing, perfecting your craft and testing different genres. You may wish to aim for a long term vision of having 5-10 audiobooks out there. And if you have 5-10 books on Audible and other platforms making on average $10,000 each a year, and have a $50,000-$100,000 a year income off it… then that’s a life-changing situation. We can agree, right?!

• That’s my wish and vision for you, dear friend.

Remember that just like any business, publishing audiobooks is not a place where success is guaranteed. Treat it as a strategic investment, not a guaranteed windfall, and always stay curious about how you can improve your business model as a growing author.

If you’d like to learn about getting personalized support and having your burning questions answered, check out my coaching packages! It would be an honour to support your author journey. CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT OPTIONS.

6 Tools to consider to start making audiobooks today

The Rise of Audible and Aidiobooks

I was shocked the first time I saw the statistics for myself.

I thought all the csh was in ebooks, but authors were making absolute bank on audio versions of their books!

So listen up, my fellow word-slingers! The audiobook market isn't just growing—it's absolutely exploding like Beyonce’s next tune hitting the charts. I’m about to drop some stats on your lap that'll make you want to finish your next manuscript and go record your book faster than you can say "narrator wanted."

The audiobook industry is a goldmine right now. In 2023, the global audiobook market was valued at a whopping $5.4 billion, and it's projected to reach a staggering $13.45 billion by 2028. That's not just growth—that's a literary rocket launch! Ready to get a piece of the pie?

Here's the really juicy part: audiobook sales have been growing at a consistent 20-30% year-over-year, while traditional print book sales have been relatively flat.

Now, let's talk cold, hard cash for you my dear authors. The average audiobook can generate 3-5 times more revenue per unit compared to an ebook. While an ebook might sell for $2.99-$9.99, an audiobook typically ranges from $15-$25.

For indie and self-published authors, royalty rates can range from 25-40%, which means each audiobook sale is putting significantly more money in your pocket.

Some eye-opening statistics that might make your writer's heart race:

• About 53% of frequent audiobook listeners are under 45

• The average audiobook listener consumes 8 books per year

• Roughly 20% of all book sales are now in audio format

• Audiobook listeners tend to be higher-income consumers who are willing to spend more on content

But here's the real magic: audiobooks open up an entirely new market of readers—or rather, listeners. People who might never pick up a physical book are now consuming content while driving, working out, or doing chores. You're essentially creating a new revenue stream and expanding your readership simultaneously. I love that vision for you.

Genre matters too. Some genres are audiobook gold mines (which happen to be the ones I mentor authors to create):

• Self-help and business books

• Memoirs and biographies

• Thriller and mystery novels

• Science fiction and fantasy

Pro tip from your book doula: The production cost is your biggest hurdle. Expect to invest between $2,000-$5,000 for a professional narration. But here's the beauty—this is a one-time investment that can generate recurring revenue for years. And if you use the AI-option I tentatively suggest below, that cost can shrink to $0-200.

Real-world success stories abound. Some indie authors are making 50% or more of their total book revenue from audiobooks. I've seen authors who struggled to sell 100 ebooks suddenly generating thousands in audiobook sales.

The market is hungry, the technology is accessible, and the potential is enormous. If you're not considering an audiobook version of your book, you're literally leaving money on the table.

Your words deserve to be heard—literally and financially!

What You Should Consider When Turning Your Book into an Audiobook

Listen up, word wizard! Navigating the audiobook world isn't about picking the first platform that catches your eye—it's about finding the perfect match for your literary baby. Think of these platforms like dating apps for your manuscript, each with its own personality and perks. You'll want to swipe right on the one that truly gets your book's vibe. Take your time and do a little digital window shopping. Check out their terms like you're reading the fine print on a dream contract. Peek at those royalty structures—they're not just numbers, they're potential paychecks! Don't be shy about comparing sample narrations; your book deserves a voice that makes readers lean in and listen. And hey, in this digital age, a little research goes a long way.

Keep reading for an easy-to-digest list of my top finds.

Top 6 Tools to Consider Using to Create your Audiobook

I scoured the internet, interviewed some bestselling authors and voice actor buddies in Hollywood and came up with this list for you, my dear author friends.

First, lets talk about the one AI option that made the list.

Eleven Labs (www.elevenlabs.io) - AI Voice Generation Platform

Key Features:

• Advanced AI voice generation technology

• Ability to create highly realistic synthetic voices

• Supports multiple languages and accents

• Offers voice cloning capabilities (You can clone your voice to read text to speech. Creepy or cool? I’m on the fence).

• More affordable and much faster than traditional narration methods

Pros for AI-Audiobook Creation:

• Significantly lower cost compared to professional narrators

• Rapid production time

• Consistent voice quality and tone

• Can be read in your own voice (just a cloned version. Still weird.)

• Multiple voice customization options

• Can generate entire audiobooks quickly, which is the complete opposite of weeks or months-long contract with professional human narrators.

• You can have your book published in multiple languages and reach millions of potential new readers.

Cons for Audiobook Creation with this AI-tech:

• Currently it lacks the emotional nuance of human narrators

• May sound slightly robotic or artificial

• Limited ability to convey complex character emotions

• Potential issues with pronunciation of specialized terms

• Some audiobook platforms might have restrictions on AI-generated content

Pricing Tiers:

• Free tier with limited characters

• Professional tier: $99/month (up to 250,000 characters)

• Enterprise tier: Custom pricing for high-volume needs

Best For:

• Authors on a tight budget

• Non-fiction and technical books

• Simple narrative styles

• Experimental or supplementary audio versions

Recommended Use:

• Consider Eleven Labs and similar platforms as a complementary option, not a complete replacement for human narration.

• It’s best for straightforward, informative content, not for novels or more emotive and expressive works.

• Ideal use: testing an audiobook’’s market potential before investing in professional narration.

Top 5 Platforms to Create and Distribute Your Audiobook

Now let’s compare and consider the top five resources and platforms to help you turn your book into an audiobook, and start building your audiobook empire.

1.ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) by Audible

(www.ACX.Com)

• Owned by Amazon, this is the most popular platform for audiobook production

• Connects authors with professional narrators and sound engineers

• Distributes audiobooks to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes

• Offers royalty options like exclusive (40% royalty) or non-exclusive (25% royalty) deals

• Provides tools for recording, editing, and quality control

  
  

  2.Findaway Voices

  (Finawayvoices.com)

• Created by Spotify

• More flexible alternative to ACX with wider distribution

• Supports distribution to over 40 audiobook platforms worldwide

• Allows you to choose your own narrators from their extensive talent pool

• Offers different pricing models and royalty structures

• Provides helpful resources and guides for first-time audiobook creators

  
  

  3.Voices.com

  (www.Voices.Com)

• Large marketplace for voice talent and audiobook narration

• Allows you to post your project and receive auditions from professional voice actors

• Offers tools to review, communicate, and negotiate with potential narrators

• Provides quality control and payment protection services

• Suitable for authors who want more control over narrator selection

  
  

  4.Author's Republic

  (www.authorsrepublic.com)

• Aggregator platform for audiobook distribution

• Works with multiple production services and narrators

• Distributes to over 50 audiobook platforms globally

• Offers flexible production options

• Provides detailed analytics and reporting

  
  

  5.Draft2Digital's Audio Publishing Services

  (www.draft2digital.com)

• Newer entrant in the audiobook market

• Offers AI-generated audiobook options for budget-conscious authors

• Provides human narration services

• Integrates well with their e-book publishing platform

• Simple, straightforward process for converting books to audio

No matter what platform you feel the most drawn to, remember to read the reviews before you commit. Beyond their flashy marketing, what are other authors experiencing? Read what other authors are saying about the experience, the true costs, and their profitability too. You can always get the inside scoop from writing forums, and trust your gut.

Your audiobook journey is unique, just like your story, so find the platform that feels like home and makes your words sing in their fullest power to the world.

Curious to learn more about the step by step process of turning your manuscript or ebook into an audiobook? Check out this blog post where I lay it out, as only the book doula can!

You’ve got this, and know that I’m always in your corner.

If you’re not already being supported by our fun, talented writing collective of budding and bestselling authors, check it out here. We’d love to have you inside the B.O.S.S. (Being of Sacred Service) Books Collective.

xx

The Book Doula,

Emily Bauman

Embracing Empowerment: The Unexpected Liberation of an Alcohol-Free Life

Hello, beautiful souls! ✨ Emily here.

Today, we’re diving into a topic that's both close to my heart and pivotal in transforming lives for the better: living alcohol-free.

I recently had an enlightening conversation on the "New B.O.S.S. Podcast" with the phenomenal Lauren Fay, a world-leading alcohol-free empowerment coach, where we dissected the myriad benefits of choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle. These may surprise you, as will the fact that she said, “It’s not even about the alcohol.” What? This is a touchy topic for many, and you’ll soon realize that this space is judgment-free.

Give the episode a listen today and check out some soul-nourishing ideas below.

the new b.o.s.s.

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the new b.o.s.s. 〰️

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Please consider leaving me a five star review to boost our ratings. Together we can get this podcast and life-changing messages in front of more kindred souls. Thank you!

SCROLL DOWN FOR THOUGHT-PROVOKING IDEAS

Connect Deeper with Lauren Fay

https://laurenfaycoaching.com/the-promise-mc-signup

Lauren offers a FREE 30 minute masterclass called THE PROMISE which lays out the 5 shifts you can make today for a liberated, alcohol-free life.

The Journey to Empowerment

For many, the decision to live alcohol-free isn't just about quitting a substance; it's a profound declaration of self-love and sovereignty. Lauren Fay, who decided to shed her identity as a "red wine girl" and a "top shelf martini drinker,” now celebrates nearly seven years of sobriety. Her transition wasn't about labeling herself or conforming to stereotypes but about reclaiming her life and shifting her identity to one that thrives without alcohol.

5-Unexpected Benefits of Living Alcohol-Free

1. Enhanced Clarity and Energy: How do you desire to feel when you wake up in the morning? What words would you like to describe how you begin your day? Aching? Cloudy? Dread? I doubt it!

Without the fog that alcohol often brings, many discover a vibrant energy and mental clarity that empower them to pursue passions and live more purposefully. They start the day with a bounce, and carry that energy through every interaction during the day, with family members, work, clients and friends.

2. True Emotional Freedom: Living alcohol-free encourages full-spectrum human experiences, allowing people to feel deeply without the numbing effects of alcohol. This rawness, while challenging, is incredibly liberating.

3. Empowered Social Dynamics: Sobriety opens the door to authentic connections. It challenges societal conditioning and the pressures of social drinking, enabling genuine interactions grounded in presence and clarity.

4. Health and Wellness Revolution: From improved sleep to better focus, going alcohol-free can lead to a revitalized physical state. As Lauren pointed out, freeing your body from alcohol's toxic processing lets your energy focus on life-enhancing pursuits.

5. Creative Liberation: For empaths and sensitive beings, removing alcohol can translate into a newfound creative flow. The rituals once tied to drinking can be reinvented, fostering creative expressions like art, writing, or music. You are no longer dependant on red wine or any other substance to feel connected to your creative spirit. You are the conduit and no alterations need to be made!

Unexpected Benefits for Sensitive Souls

For empaths and highly sensitive individuals, alcohol can complicate the delicate dance with the energy around them. Lauren shared insights into how each type of alcohol carries different spirits—something many sensitive beings resonate with. Removing these spirits from the equation allows for more stable, grounded energy, inviting you to connect deeply with your innate intuition and creativity.

Challenges and Triumphs

While living alcohol-free is empowering, it's not without its challenges. It demands introspection and willingness to confront discomfort. Yet, as Lauren beautifully expressed, this journey is about releasing societal narratives and embracing a life where “good enough” transforms into “great.” It's about allowing your true self to surface and thrive in full authenticity.

Finding Support and Inspiration For those ready to explore this path, connecting with like-minded communities and coaches like Lauren can provide invaluable support and encouragement. As you tap into this transformative journey, remember you are worthy of a life filled with joy and abundance without reliance on alcohol. --- If you’re feeling the call to explore your relationship with alcohol, or simply want to enrich your life in more mindful ways, I encourage you to seek out resources and communities that resonate with you. Always remember, you are beautifully sovereign and inherently deserving of a vibrant, fulfilled life. Here's to living freely and deeply! 🌟

How to write what people actually want to read

Writing a book or post that readers want to gobble up and tell their friends about is easier said than done. Going viral and being a bestseller is an admirable feat.

By the end of this post you’ll be on sure footing to get there.

You may have noticed that the internet is full of writing advice about how to write blogs and nonfiction books that go viral or become a bestseller.

I see it on Medium and other popular writing spaces every week. The wisdom goes something like this…

Hey aspiring writer, the real problem is that you suck at crafting headlines that grab people. Work on your hooks and you’ll get more readers.

Or

The real problem is that you don’t know how to use bold font, strategic subtitles or create an F-shape format that allows people to scan your writing. Make it more readable.

Or

The real problem is that you write about topics no one wants to read.

That last one is a heavyweight punch to the gut for most people. And what drives me most nuts is when I hear advice columns say something like, “All you need to do is this simple:

Just look into your readers’ soul and write what they most need to hear.”

It’s annoying because it’s true. The sweet spot of literary genius is to write a book that carries your unique voice and specific wisdom and also meets the precise feeling needs of an existing audience.

Self-awareness is one challenge unto itself. Most of us don’t reach for our worn copy of The Notebook DVD saying, “I wish to feel chosen by a partner who never lets me go.”

Knowing what an audience wishes to feel is another challenge altogether, right?

That kind of insight requires a blend of left brain analytics and precision for acute observation, combined with a right brain tuned in to 99.7 Imagination FM and brimming with empathy. Left and right brain working together.

No easy feat!

And, yet I’m not worried for you, because you were literally built for this. Ready to get those mirror neurons firing?

It can feel like an uphill climb over rough terrain to discover the motivation at the core of our reader’s psyche. Keep reading for more footpaths and clues in the right direction.

I’m here to confirm that the problem with your book and your storytelling likely isn’t:

your lack of writing skills

your lack of knowledge

your lack authority

but that you don’t know what individual readers really want to hear.

You haven’t yet dialed in to how they are aching to feel.

That is the cornerstone to successful works. You can certainly get there.

I invite you to begin with with a moment of self-reflection. Whip open your favourite journal or perhaps go for a walk and contemplate:

Why do you listen to music?

What music do you put on for certain moods?

What are you trying to evoke with that certain song on repeat?

Why do you watch the movies you watch?

Why do you read self-improvement books?

Personally, I do all of them not because of rational reasons but because

• I need to be soothed

• I need to feel aliveness

• I need to feel forward momentum

• I need to be empowered and understand parts of my situation to change it.

Yep, I need to feel a feeling.

Image sources in this post: Unsplash

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Here is some Soul Work for the week to find what your people truly want to read:

• Check out viral interviews and storytelling content on socials. Instead of wondering why it’s so popular, think about how it makes you feel.

• Take a look at the published works of writers and creators you admire. How do you feel when you read or watch their work?

• Think about the books and movies you keep going back to. How do they make you feel each time you experience them? Are they comfort blankets? Are they emotional wormholes to release pent-up tears? Do they get you fired up to take action or reconnect you with certain values?

Thank you for being on a mission to write works that connect deeply and uplift or shift humanity. The greatest works tend to heal the writer and the reader at once, and that is some real-life, practical magic!

I believe everyone has a story worth writing and publishing. It’s the ultimate act of personal development, in my experience.

Chances are good that you’ve got a few mini-masterpieces in you right at this moment.

Chances are also good you’ve been saying, “One day I’ll write a book” and that day somehow starts to feel further and further way.

If you feel ready to begin the journey of self-publishing them into the world, I invite you to join me inside B.O.S.S. Books (Being of Sacred Service) Collective. You would be in good company!

Check out all the details here

the new b.o.s.s.

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the new b.o.s.s. 〰️

Never flop a launch again

Have you ever wondered why your last launch flooped or fizzled with so few sales, or how to sell in a way that doesn't feel so...sales-y?

In this quick solo-cast episode, master copywriter Emily Bauman hands you her step by step ingredient list to cook up your own story-selling masterpiece.

You'll learn why stories are built to connect deeply with the human psyche, why certain stories win over hearts while others are forgettable, and how to turn your audience from cold observers to hot buyers.

If you desire to connect deeply with an audience of any size, and sell easily, it's time to learn the art of Story-selling. Dive in!

the new b.o.s.s.

〰️

the new b.o.s.s. 〰️

Got 5 seconds to spare?

Please consider leaving a five star review to boost our ratings and get this podcast in front of more kindred souls. Thank you!

The 13th Key Book formula - proof anyone can write a bestseller?

By the end of this solo-cast episode, I bet I can convince you that you can write a bestselling book. Dive in, I dare you! This 24 minute episode could change your life…

the new b.o.s.s.

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the new b.o.s.s. 〰️

One Secret Shift You need to Sell High-Ticket Offers

What if there was ONE thing you could say that would sell high-ticket offers every time?

The same strategies we use to sell $20 books and $100 coaching sessions won’t work on high-ticket offers. Here’s what does work, and the shift I personally made when I started selling $2,600 a month book doula coaching packages like hotcakes.

Tune into this action-oriented solo-cast episode with me, Emily Bauman, to upgrade your selling strategy today. You might be surprised with the number of takeaways for outside of business too!

the new b.o.s.s.

〰️

the new b.o.s.s. 〰️

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Got 20 seconds to spare? Please consider leaving my podcast a five star review. This will help us boost ratings and reach even more new era B.O.S.S. (Being of Sacred Service) people too! I appreciate you. xx Emily

Sad vs Happy Price -how to charge the right amount

How To Charge An Amount That Inspires You and Skyrockets Your Business. Learn Your 'Happy Price' vs. Your 'Sad Price' plus…What are the hidden ripple effects when you undercharge?

the new b.o.s.s.

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the new b.o.s.s. 〰️

It all begins with an idea that becomes a sellable offer and suddenly it needs a price tag!

Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you price your creation will certainly make all the difference.

Learn Your 'Happy Price' vs. Your 'Sad Price':

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.