Have You Tried Amazon Audiobook With Virtual Voice?

Here's what happened and why you may also want to try this feature

I was just about to add my newest book “Grief and Healing” on Amazon when I noticed the latest feature inviting me to add an audiobook with virtual voice. While a bit skeptical at first, I got curious enough to try it and in about ten minutes or so, my first book audiobook was available on Amazon! I never thought it would be that easy.

Of course, the first book I tried was a very short one. It was one of my earliest books titled “Beloved”, a conversational book that aims to assist the reader in realizing how much one is loved. There was an option for editing and previewing the book and you can easily find out how your audiobook would sound like. You can also choose from various voices and accents including American, British and Australian voices.

I was amazed at the ease my first audiobook had been created and I can’t help but be grateful for this opportunity. I have long wanted to offer my books in audio format but I didn’t have the time to do the recording myself. Now, it’s like a dream come true!

Here are some of my reasons why I wanted to have an audio version of my books:

1. Versatility

Some people may be too busy to sit down to read your book. But an audiobook can help them listen to it while doing something else! Some may be able to listen to your book while cooking, exercising or preparing their clothes for laundry.

As for me, I can use an audiobook before bedtime when I can easily turn on the narration and lie down as I gradually fall asleep.

2. Accessibility

Not everyone can have good eyesight. I know this from experience. Even though I can read well when I use my glasses, there are times when I prefer to rest my eyes after a day’s work and simply listen to a narration of my favorite book.

3. Enhanced engagement and emotional appeal

While some people prefer to use their eyes, some people may grasp things easier by listening. There are also some books that are more suitable for this like novels and short stories. Listening to the book’s dialogue may make the characters come to life more for some people. Books like poetry also have the potential for this. Just make sure that you use the right voice. A human voice is still preferable but a virtual voice is something that many can have access to for now.

Greater Market Exposure

When you create an audio version of your book, you also expand your market. You reach those people you may not otherwise have access to.

Did you know that when you go to YouTube, there are whole books you can already listen to on the platform? This only shows the potential for audiobooks.

Who knows? Maybe more and more people may be inclined to use this format in the future. And it is best to begin earlier than most.

Steps to Create Your Audiobook

Here are the simple steps to create your first audiobook on Amazon:

1. Click the “Add audiobook with virtual voice” tab in your KDP dashboard.

2. Select the “voice” you want to use.

Remember that you can click the button “Explore all voices” to choose from various voices and accents available. I wasn’t able to notice that at first so I just used the default voice in my first book. (You need not worry, however, because you can still edit this later.)

3. Enter the price you want for your audiobook.

Note that your audiobook will be offered in two marketplaces (Amazon and Audible). There will be a different royalty rate for each. Your readers can also purchase it as a standalone or an eBook add-on.

4. Click the button for the Amazon Virtual Voice Studio to preview and edit your audiobook.

You can also select from there where you want the book to start.

5. You can then go back to the dashboard, save your changes and publish your audiobook!

Would you like to take a look at my audiobooks?

Since I found the process very easy, I was able to create an audio version for most of my books on Amazon. You can check the list below in case you want to purchase some or simply upgrade your previous purchase by paying for the add-on price.

(You can also get the audiobooks for free with an Audible trial.)

My Audiobooks on Amazon/Audible:

Defending My Catholic Faith

To Love An Invisible God

Mend My Broken Heart

Grief and Healing

Questions to God

The Good For Nothing Boy

Poems for a Faithful Heart

Of Waves and Butterflies: Poems on Grief

Poems of Love and Letting Go

Beloved