There are a lot of audiobooks out right now. In 2024, the global audiobook market was valued $8.70 billion according to Grand View Research’s comprehensive market analysis, and it doesn’t look like it will slow down. In fact, the industry is expected to increase at a rate of 26.2% each year and reach $11.06 billion in 2025. It could be worth a whopping $35 billion by 2030.
So what does this mean for authors? Opportunity. A massive one.
Whether you’re indie or traditionally published, audiobooks are swiftly becoming one of the most powerful methods to attract readers (or rather, listeners).
Why the Audiobook Market Is a Goldmine for Authors
Let’s be honest: people are busy. It’s not always simple to sit down and read a real book when you have to commute, work out, and do a million other things. But what about listening? That’s not the same. That’s where audiobooks really shine. This change is huge for writers. Audiobooks don’t just add another media; they also open the door to:
- New audiences who may never buy your paperback but will happily listen to your story while driving to work.
- More visibility, since audiobook platforms recommend titles differently from ebook stores.
- Longer sales life, because audiobooks tend to keep circulating in subscription platforms far beyond their launch window.
Simply put: If you’re ignoring the audiobook market, you might be leaving a lot of readers (and money) on the table.
Should I Create an Audiobook?
This is probably the number one question authors ask. The honest answer? It depends on your book and your goals.
- If you write fiction, self-help, or business, you’re in luck; these categories dominate the audiobook market.
- If your readers are asking for an audiobook, that’s a big green light.
- And if your budget is tight, you still have options (AI narration, royalty share with narrators, or even recording it yourself if your voice fits the book).
🎧 Case in point: Joanna Penn (indie author and publishing expert) has openly shared that adding audiobooks boosted her income by about 20%. On the bigger end of the spectrum, Andy Weir’s The Martian got traction as an audiobook long before it became a bestseller and a Hollywood film.
Quick Author Audiobook Production Guide
The process isn’t as scary as it sounds. Here’s the simple version:
- Decide on narration
- Hire a professional narrator (great acting, higher cost).
- Try AI narration (cheaper, and improving fast).
- Narrate yourself (works especially well for memoirs and nonfiction).
- Choose your platform
- ACX (Audible’s platform): Biggest reach, but royalty terms vary.
- Voices by INAudio (formerly Findaway Voices): Gets you onto multiple retailers without exclusivity.
- Kobo and Google Play: Worth adding for higher royalty splits.
- Don’t skip the details.
- Your audiobook needs its own cover (square format, not ebook dimensions).
- Use keywords in your description so listeners can actually find it.
- Get reviews early: promo codes and launch giveaways help here.
- Market it like a book launch.
- Announce it to your email list.
- Share snippets on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or even podcasts.
- Bundle it with your ebook or paperback as a “reader’s choice” package.
How Much Can Authors Earn from Audiobooks?
This is where things get exciting. Earnings vary, but here’s a ballpark:
- Royalties:
- Up to 40% on Audible if you go exclusive.
- Around 25% if you go non-exclusive.
- Up to 45–50% on Kobo or Google Play.
- Potential earnings:
- An indie fantasy author who sells 1,000 audiobooks for $15 each (just on Audible) would make around $6,000 a year from just one book.
- Add subscriptions and streaming royalties, and those numbers grow.
And keep in mind that the market is still only worth $8.70 billion. By 2030, with $35 billion in the works, authors might make a lot more money.
The Big Concerns (and Why They’re Not Deal Breakers)
- “It’s too expensive to produce.” → AI and revenue-share deals make it affordable.
- “What if it doesn’t sell?” → Genres like romance, thriller, and self-help are proven winners in audiobooks.
- “I don’t know how to market it.” → Treat it like any book launch: reviews, word of mouth, and social proof work the same way.
Final Take: Should You Jump In?
If you’re wondering, “Should I create an audiobook?” the answer is most likely yes. Audiobooks are no longer just a nice-to-have; they are expected to increase by double digits every year and reach a market value of $35 billion by 2030. Authors who wish to get more readers and make more money should do these things.
If you’ve been thinking about it, now is the moment to jump in. Your prospective readers might be physically eager to hear what you have to say.
Join the Data-Driven Publishing Revolution
The difference between audiobook creators who struggle to break even and those earning five-figure monthly royalties often comes down to one thing: access to actionable market intelligence.
While your competitors are still making decisions based on hunches, you could be leveraging real market data. Start making data-driven decisions today → WriteStats.com
