A face made for audiobooks

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26 comments — written on May 14th, 2009

This is what I spent all day today doing.

My first day recording my audio book. Notice the pre-prepared table full of voice goodies.

I’m happy to announce that we sold the rights to the audiobook version of I Will Teach You To Be Rich. Even better, I’m doing the recording myself…which I thought might be an interesting story to tell.

It turns out that the publisher that bought the audio rights (they’re different than the book publisher) wanted to get this onto the market as quickly as possible using a professional voice actor. But I know you guys — and I talked to a ton of iwillteach readers on the media tour — and it would just be weird to have some dude reading my book. The publisher wasn’t convinced. It turns out that lots of authors think they should read their book, only to get in the studio and have the voice of the Kool-Aid Man after his bachelor party in Vegas. So get this: They made me audition by reading pages of my own book. This is when I knew I had not arrived.

Anyway, apparently it went ok, because I’m in studio for the next few days recording the audio book. I knocked out 65 pages today and the entire thing should be out in a few weeks. I’ll be releasing tons of audio excerpts as soon as I can.

Interesting notes about recording an audiobook:

They typically estimate 3 minutes per page. I’m currently doing 2 minutes per page, about 4-6 hours/day
Anytime there’s a mistake, we start on the prior sentence, rather than coming back later and re-recording
There’s a separate set of audio editors and proofers who will literally compare every recorded word with the text in the book. If I ad-lib at all, a producer notes it so it’s not flagged as a mistake
The microphone is extremely sensitive. “You know when you were on the radio for NPR?” they asked. “That was nothing compared to this mic.” If you crack your knuckles, it gets picked up clearly. If you move, the sound of your shirt gets picked up. I told them I’m going to wear a nylon track suit tomorrow to make them start crying.

More to come. As usual, I’m cataloguing interesting stuff I read in my money bookmarks and there are a bunch of new videos on my YouTube page.

* * *

26 comments

Leave your own

1

May 14, 2009
David

This is great news. I plan on buying it for my brother ASAP!!

I’ve also recommended your book to several of my coworkers. They are straight out of college, have been working for 6 months, and still have not taken advantage of the ESPP and 401K match, etc. They still think the word “invest” is scary.

BTW, it took me a while to realize why you had this picture of this gorgeous lady on your page. I was like, “Yes, Ramit, I approve. Can we get this more regularly?”
2

May 14, 2009
Charlie

Really cool post. I’d personally like to see more of your thoughts on doing all this different media stuff.

And dude, blow up that picture of Megan Fox. It’s too small.
3

May 14, 2009
Vikram

Loved the post title

This recording stint actually sounds like a stressful gig!
4

May 15, 2009
Brian

Maybe it’s just me but audio books not read by the author are a major deterrent. I’m glad you’re sticking to your guns on this one. Voice actors just can’t put the original enthusiasm and passion of the author into it. It’s a big disconnect.
5

May 15, 2009
Enrique S @ The Corporate Barbarian

“The microphone is extremely sensitive.” This reminded me of a netmeeting that I attended. The presenter’s speech was full of static. I figured it was just a bad connection. We later found out that it was his shaggy beard that made the scratching noise on his headset mic.
6

May 15, 2009
Mark Wolfinger

Good news.

How do you handle data in an audio book? I’ve been thinking of doing an audio for my book.

Thanks
7

May 15, 2009
Elizabeth Feuer

Hmm. You’re taking 2 minutes per page and usually it’s three. I guess that means we’ll have to listen at warp speed?
8

May 15, 2009
caroline

Well, as a voice actor myself I know there a ton of great talents out there for this kind of work, and i’m bummed that someone in my field didn’t get an opportunity to bring life to your words. (And no, they would not necessarily sound like ‘the Kool-Aid man after his bachelor party in Vegas’ although they could if that’s what you wanted them to do) Still, love that the book will be available as an audiobook, too! Congrats!
9

May 15, 2009
JT

Hmmm…I haven’t bought the regular book but I would probably buy the audiobook. I run in the mornings and I like using that time to listen to audiobooks or podcasts so that would be perfect.

I like fiction audiobooks read by a pro – but for non-fiction stuff I prefer having the author read it. That’s just my opinion.

Good luck with the recording, don’t wear the nylon track suit – I want to listen to a clean recording
10

May 15, 2009
Richard Davies

Thanks for sharing this interesting insight into the process of recording an audio book.
11

May 15, 2009
Sra

Sweet! You know, I may actually buy the audio version even though I’ve read the print version, because I find your voice pleasing. In a financial expert type of way, of course.
12

May 15, 2009
susan

You talk too fast.
13

May 15, 2009
The Weakonomist

I hope you’ll be on audible, it will put me to sleep like most audiobooks but I’ll get through it. And you definetly have a face for audio. You know what this means, you’ve got to do a podcast next.
14

May 15, 2009
joe tyron

what’s with the chick with your book? and the other chicks with your book at the flicker pool!!
15

May 15, 2009
J. Money

Dude, you should totally *sneak in* some words or some random reference and then have us go looking (listening?) for it. It would be awesome. Like, Levar Burton awesome! Who’s apparently on twitter now? @LevarBurton
16

May 15, 2009
Amy Barnes

LOL @ the tracksuit comment. They would cry. I am preparing to record lots and lots this summer. Good luck to you!
17

May 15, 2009
ellfel

Hey, don’t know about your voice but obviously the publisher liked it. In my experience of listening to audiobooks the ones that I liked the best were the one’s where the actual author read the book. In a book like yours I think it makes the book more credible. Good call!
18

May 15, 2009
ellfel

Hey, don’t know about your voice but obviously the publisher liked it. In my experience of listening to audiobooks the ones that I liked the best were the one’s where the actual author read the book. In a book like yours I think it makes the book more credible. Good call!
19

May 16, 2009
RT Wolf

That is a real picture of Megan Fox with your book, Ramit?
20

May 16, 2009
Tillman

Wow, I am glad to see the audio version coming. I bought Escape Cubical Nation on audio and love it. I have a copy of your book that I am half way finished reading, but the audio version will be great for reading a second & third time.

Cheers,
Tillman
21

May 17, 2009
kiwi

would love some of the original ‘ramit-style’ content at some stage soon please. I’ve bought the book but am starting to get a bit over book-hype… ramit, come back please!!
22

May 17, 2009
Ben

MEGAN FOX IS HOT IN THAT PICTURE! I’M STUNNED THAT SHE’S READING YOUR BOOK!! CONGRATS!!!

In other news… I called Comcast today and asked them politely if they could lower my bill. I was paying $138 a month before my call. After our 5-minute phone call, I’m now paying $70!! THANK YOU!
23

May 18, 2009
Doctor S

This will be the first audio book I buy, never really been into them but its worth a try.

Add this one to the list of ways you know you have done well in life…

“When Megan Fox gets caught by the paparazzi holding the book you wrote in your hand.”

Congrats on that!
24

May 20, 2009
Jessica

What does Megan Fox need the book for?

Also, I saw your face in motion for an extended period on Attack of the Show. You’re not an eyesore by ANY stretch of the imagination.
25

May 30, 2009
MaylaSaathi Tillackdharry

Who is Megan Fox?
26

June 1, 2009
Danielle

One of the worst audio books I ever tried to listen to was “7 habits of highly effective people” read by the author.

Sorry Mr. Covey but I wish your publisher had made you audition for your own book recording like Ramit had to!