International Publishing Fellowship: Day 1.2 IN-HOUSE AUDIOBOOK STUDIOS

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Penguin Random House has its own in-house audiobook studios.

After our Q and A with Molly and her colleague from Transworld, she took us to the studios and introduced us to Zoe, the Studio Manager. I think it’s important for me to say that we used lifts to move between departments, because I’m not sure I’ve painted the picture of how huge the PRH UK headquarters is. Because when will a Ugandan publishing house grow to this scale?

Each studio has two rooms, one for the reader/narrator and one for the producer or sound engineer – I’m still struggling to get the roles right – who follows the script and catches errors or lines that need adjustment. It was intriguing hearing the list of celebrities who have narrated audiobooks. My fellow Sherlock Holmes fans will be glad to know that Benedict Cumberbatch is on that list. For my brethren in the Christian Storytellers Association, I am still digging for names.

Comparing PRH’s resources with Uganda’s scene pushed me to ask about the roles needed to produce a strong audiobook. I asked whether they use sound editors after recording, the way we use video editors. What I appreciated about Zoe is that she always answered the question behind the question. She seemed to understand the related thoughts going on in the “askee’s” mind. She shared that any sound producer or engineer can handle audiobooks, but it helps if they also love books, because the work involves listening for long hours. She added that many people from traditional radio production now work in audio content since radio trends have shifted to podcasts and digital media, which makes their skills suitable for audiobooks. That insight opened my eyes.

Zoe also mentioned that audiobooks are considered the fastest-growing area in digital publishing. Her insightful responses made me realise I need a to-do list or a “to-research” list after each session, because the discussions were pushing my mind into high gear.

TO RESEARCH:

• Contacts of Ugandans who produce audiobooks, since many authors record in Kenya or abroad
• Compare the cost of audio book production in Uganda, East Africa, and other regions
• Assess the market – who and how many are buying Ugandan audio books? Is this a worthwhile venture for my authors?

TO DO:

Compile all clients who asked about audio book production and start the conversation. This is what it means to be their publishing consultant.

Otherwise, after the tour, Molly led us back to the lobby, where we took group pictures. We also left with treats – a tote bag with goodies. The book is a graphic novel. A graphic memoir to be more precise, because it tells her story in comic format.

I’m curious: have any of you published audiobooks? Who produced them for you?

Written by

Crystal Butungi Rutangye

I delight in the power of the written word to share ideas, thoughts, stories, memories, and other aspects of humanity. With over 14 years' experience, my expertise includes editing fiction and non-fiction trade books, ghostwriting, book production management, and training new writers/editors. I lead a team of zealous book editors, graphics designers, and illustrators at Scribe House.

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