Before Coming Into The Studio

Manuscript Preparation

• Make sure your manuscript is finalized before recording begins
• Send a Word document (.docx) version of the manuscript before your first session
  
  

Voice Preparation

• Stay hydrated the day before and day of recording
• Avoid excessive dairy and very sugary drinks before sessions
• Get good rest the night before
• Bottled water is provided at the studio

Scheduling

• Recording sessions are scheduled in advance
•  Most recording sessions last 1–3 hours
• Consistency is important for tone and vocal quality

What To Expect In The Studio

Recording Environment

• Recording takes place in a treated studio environment
• No prior recording experience is necessary

Typical Daily Recording Workflow

A typical recording session may include:

1. Brief setup and sound check
2. Chapter-by-chapter recording
3. Retakes as needed during recording

Studio Tips For Best Results

Clothing

Please avoid:

• Noisy jewelry
• Clothing with loud fabric movement

Reading Style

• Read naturally and conversationally
• Mistakes are completely normal during recording
• When correcting a sentence, simply use the provided clicker and continue reading
• Don’t worry about perfection during recording
  

Overview Of The Entire Audiobook Process

Getting Started

Once the estimate is approved and the initial 25% deposit is made, we will discuss scheduling and determine when recording will begin.

Depending on the length of the book and any deadlines involved, we will determine how frequently recording sessions will need to take place.

Recording Phase

We will then begin recording the audiobook in studio sessions.

After recording, Wingerd Media will complete a first listen-through of the audiobook and mark any corrections or pickup sections needed. The narrator will then return to rerecord those sections before the next quality control review.

Once the audiobook has gone through the first listen process and corrections have been recorded, another member of Wingerd Media will listen through the audiobook again for an additional round of quality control and corrections. The narrator will again return to rerecord any needed corrections before moving into the final review phase.

Author Review Process

 After these corrections are completed, we will upload the audiobook to a private SoundCloud album and send you a private listening link. 

This allows you — and anyone else you would like involved in the review process — to listen through the audiobook and make notes of any additional corrections.

Final Corrections & Delivery

Once final corrections are completed, we will render the audiobook files in platform-approved audiobook formatting specifications.

If requested, Wingerd Media can also assist with audiobook distribution and upload preparation.

Distribution (Optional)

We can help distribute your audiobook through:

• ACX.com (Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books)
• InAudio.com distribution services

Distribution Requirements

If we are helping distribute your audiobook, please note the following:

• We will need access to your ACX.com account (typically the same login used for KDP.com/Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing)
• Please provide a square version of your book cover image for audiobook distribution requirements
  
  

If needed, we can also help resize or format your cover image for distribution platforms.

Payment Structure

• 25% deposit due before recording begins
• Additional 25% payments will be due after agreed-upon milestones are completed throughout the production process
• All milestones and payment expectations will be clearly outlined in writing so both parties are aware of the production schedule and progress points

Important Notes

• Please arrive a few minutes early for your session
• Silence phones and notifications before recording
• Consistency is key — try to maintain similar energy and pacing between sessions
• Audiobook recording is a process, and most authors become more comfortable after the first session
  

We’re here to help make the process smooth, comfortable, and professional from start to finish.