“Who Has Time to Read Anymore?” – Overcoming the Challenges of Creating My Audiobook by Finding the Perfect Voice on Fiverr

“Do you have an audiobook? I don’t have time to read physical books anymore, but if you had an audiobook, I’d be all over it!”

Often accompanied with an embarrassed smile and shrug, I this heard this numerous times after self-publishing my novel. After four years, dozens of drafts, and multiple edits, I was just grateful just to get the paperback completed! Producing an audiobook seemed like an impossible task, and one I was content to continue kicking down the curb.

Finally, after enough people played this card when I asked if they’d read it, (or let’s be more positive and say, “due to popular demand”) I decided it was time to just figure out how to get an audiobook produced. Find a way!

Starting the Journey

Where to begin? My daughter already told me, whoever reads the book shouldn’t be me. “You need someone with a youthful tone.” Ouch! She was right though. A pro was required to get this done right. But where would I find such a person? And how do I get a studio for them to record in? And when do I have time to spend five or more full days in a studio? And how much would it all cost? These audiobook production obstacles had me once again strapping on my can-kicking shoes.

Using AI to Create an Audiobook

Someone mentioned that I should use AI to read the novel. There are several companies that can have AI read your script and output it in the voice of your choosing. Seemed like a fantastic idea! Saves a ton of time and I wouldn’t have to worry about getting picky with AI—it does whatever I want! However, as I investigated this option, I ran into a problem—there were annoyingly few black voiceover options with AI! Hardly any! I found myself back to square-one after a frustrating journey into the world of AI. (It’s got a ways to go before it takes over the world. Just sayin’!)

 Along Came Fiverr

Shortly afterward, I found my way to Fiverr—I don’t remember how exactly. I’d worked with freelancers on the book cover and a logo in the past. So it seemed worth a shot to see if they had black voiceover talent. I was thrilled to find multiple options with fantastic voices that also had their own studios and would simply send me final files. Bingo! Exactly what I needed!

Connecting with Garan P.

After listening to several talented voices, I kept coming back to “Garan P.” I could immediately tell his voice had great range. He’d be able bring a youthful energy to the each of the characters, while keeping the narrator relatable but intelligent. But would he be interested in reading an unorthodox novel about waiting for sex until marriage?

I reached out to Garan on Fiverr with fingers crossed. Turns out he was thrilled that I reached out.  He told me he understood the importance of the message and felt passionate about being the one to deliver it. As a voice over artist, he didn’t always get requests for projects he believed strongly in. He was ready for this.

Recognizing God’s Blessing on this Audiobook Project

At this point I feel it’s important to mention that it was no accident that I found Garan on Fivver. Like a needle in a haystack. To narrate a topic like this with passion and zeal takes a voice talent who is also a man of God. Garan himself waited for sex until after marriage. After we started the process with him, I learned he did some preaching and was at one time a missionary in Nigeria for a couple of years! Imagine not having any idea how to get this message done as an audiobook, and then finding a man of God ready and willing to put his all into the project! God is awesome!

The Audiobook Production Process

We worked on the book for roughly four months. Through Fiverr, I’d send Garan a chapter with some notes on how I envisioned it sounding. He’d go ahead and record it and send the chapter to me for review. Once I’d listened, I’d highlight some areas to revise and Fiverr those notes back to him. He’d send me a revised chapter, and it was usually good to go. We’d move on to the next. Do that dance forty-three times and you have an audiobook!

Ready for the World

I’m thrilled to get this version of the book out to the world. I believe it will be a blessing to everyone who listens. Let this article also encourage everyone reading it that nothing is impossible. If there is something you believe you’re meant to do but it seems incredibly difficult, just get started. Give it a shot! God will meet you there and it will be much easier than you thought. That’s how it’s `posed to be.