Archives for 2017

7 Players on Your Audiobook Production Team

26 March 2017

Since many indie authors and smaller publishers are new to the world of audiobooks, I thought you might like to have a quick overview of the 7 players on an audiobook production team:

1. Rights Holder
2. Producer
3. Director
4. Narrator
5. Sound Engineer
6. Audio Editor
7. Proof Listener

One person may be responsible for several phases of the process. For instance, on ACX.com, Audible’s marketplace connecting rights holders with narrators, I’m the audiobook producer in addition to being the narrator.

My husband Drew serves as both the director and sound engineer in all of my recording sessions. Most narrators working in their own studios don’t have the luxury of a second set of ears listening as they record. When I’m the producer, I hire the audio editor and proof listener, so all aspects of production are included in my fee.

4 Keys to Becoming a Successful ACX Audiobook Producer

16 March 2017

Last updated 8/24/19

One of my friends is a well-established and highly successful audiobook narrator with years of experience working in commercial studios for traditional publishers. For the longest time, he had absolutely zero interest in setting up a studio and recording at home, largely because he is not comfortable with technology.

I often talked with him about the many merits of using ACX, including the:

ease of finding interesting books on the site and auditioning to narrate them
ability to work directly with authors and fill holes in his recording schedule
excitement (and sometimes need!) to earn passive income each month from carefully selected Royalty Share projects
possibility of creating his own publishing company and performing titles of his choice in his spare time

Futhermore, traditional publishers are increasingly employing narrators who are experienced in home recording.

Once he was finally convinced that establishing a home recording studio would be an empowering career move on all levels, he decided to create one and asked many questions while implementing his plan.

The thought occurred to me that anyone who is new to home recording and working through ACX might benefit from the 4 key areas of practical advice and information that I gave to my friend about becoming a successful ACX producer.

Press Page

9 January 2017

Last updated 11 December 2020

To learn more about me, my narration, and audiobook production, please check out my comments and interviews on other sites:

The Journal

12/11/20 I was mentioned in the article Instructional writer reads, reviews all 940 bestselling novels of 20th century.

Wall Street Journal

11/1/20 The Secrets To Success as an Audiobook Narrator by Kate Murphy
The journalist quoted producers, publishers, and several narrators in this piece. Since I’m not a WSJ subscriber, I can’t see beyond their pay wall. I therefore researched ProQuest at my library and saved this PDF of the article.

VoyageATL
4/29/20 Meet Karen Commins

Audiobook Narration for Beginners Podcast
Fellow narrator J. Rodney Turner hosts this podcast to help newcomers learn about audiobook narration. Audiobook narration is my favorite subject!

7/1/19 Episode 26: Karen Commins – Part 1
7/8/19 Episode 27: Karen Commins – Part 2
7/15/19 Episode 28: Karen Commins – Part 3

Georgia Radio Reading Service
4/17/19 I’m honored to be highlighted in the April 2019 newsletter as Volunteer of the Month.

ACX University
11/2/18 Acting With Intention
In this 16:31 video, I talk about setting career goals and staying motivated as you continue on your path. In the concurrent chat, I offered resources and answered many questions. You can find all of that ancillary material in this post.

The Audiobook Speakeasy Podcast

7/23/18 Episode 26: Karen Commins
Host Rich Miller is also an audiobook narrator, so it was a special delight to have a drink together and discuss all things about audiobooks in this 1:03.51 show.

The Postcardist Podcast

6/22/18 Episode 22: Greetings From Karen Commins
In this fun and interesting 59:11 show, host Frank Roche and I talk about how I use postcards in marketing my business and so much more!

Build Book Buzz
4/4/18 How To Promote Your Audiobook
In this guest post, I answered 8 questions about audiobook marketing.

Spin Sucks
12/18/17 The Big Question: Audiobooks vs Reading
I explain 2 factors I use to determine whether I listen to or read a book for pleasure.

Animatron
11/29/17 4 Awesome Examples Of Social Media Contests (+ Tips How To Run Your Own Contest)
Hint: I entered a contest for a reason other than the prize.

Acuity Training
9/12/17 Adobe Productivity — 69 Experts Reveal Their Top Tips
I always say technology is my friend, and I offer 2 tips here: 1 on Photoshop, and 1 about Adobe Export PDF

Business News Daily
6/15/17 Evernote: 7 Features You Should Be Using

FanGirlNation Magazine
5/24/17 Interview With A Narrator: Karen Commins

The Author Biz podcast

1/30/17 Marketing and Promotion for Audiobooks, episode TAB104
Author and host Stephen Campbell and I talk about ways authors can promote their audiobooks.

Stacy Juba, author of Fooling Around With Cinderella
1/5/17 Part 1 about me as a person
1/7/17 Part 2 about the audiobook production process

Voices In My Head video podcast with narrator and host Basil Sands
1/2/17 Episode 31

The James Altucher Report, Dec. 2016 (private subscription)

Amy Metz, author of Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction
10/14/16 part 1 about me as a person
10/20/16 part 2 about the audiobook production process

East-West Audio Body Shop webcast with hosts George Whittam and Dan Lenard
6/22/15 EWABS Episode 193 Audiobook Roundtable

Wendy Pitts, fellow narrator
3/5/15 Monthly Mentoring column

April Holgate audiobook listener/reviewer
12/30/15 Update
12/28/14 Original Interview

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Karen Commins

Award Winning

Atlanta Audiobook Share-rator™

7 Players on Your Audiobook Production Team

Press Page