July 2026
Recall is out now.
Dimly Lit's psychological thriller short — the first release from the imprint.
Resources for authors
Everything you wish someone had told you before your first audiobook.
Practical guidance from the production side of the booth — direct, honest, and built to help you make the right decisions earlier.
01Start with a guide
Guide 01
The audiobook guide
Finished hours, real costs, timelines, rights, and the decisions that shape the entire production.
Read the guide →
Guide 02
Preparing your manuscript
Lock the text, build a pronunciation list, map the characters, and solve what does not translate to audio.
Read the guide →
Guide 03
Hiring a narrator
How to listen for the story, audition on your own pages, ask better questions, and spot red flags.
Read the guide →
02FAQ & answers
Short answers, honest ones.
How long does an audiobook take to produce?+
Most single-narrator titles run four to eight weeks from manuscript to delivery, depending on length and revision rounds. Your quote includes a real schedule, not an estimate.
What does "per finished hour" mean?+
Pricing is based on the runtime of the completed audiobook — roughly 9,300 words per finished hour — not the hours spent recording. An 84,000-word novel is about nine finished hours.
Do I need my rights sorted before production?+
Yes — you or your publisher need audio rights to the work. If you are unsure what you hold, ask before you commit to production.
Can I approve the narration as it happens?+
Chapter-by-chapter review is built into the process. You hear early chapters first, so notes shape the performance before the full book records.
Where will my audiobook be sold?+
Distribution support covers Audible, Apple Books, Spotify, and wide distribution — including metadata, cover specs, and each retailer's delivery package.
Do you produce books you did not narrate?+
Yes. Casting, direction, editing, mastering, and delivery are available with external narrators.
03News & notes
July 2026
Fall production calendar opens.
A limited number of full-production slots for fall delivery. Quotes now open.
Coming soon
Dimly Lit, Aloud.
The podcast: serialized fiction and conversations from behind the mic.
New guides, straight to you.
Join the list for production guidance, release news, and behind-the-scenes notes.