Start with one strong audiobook master

Before thinking about retailers, make sure the audiobook itself is ready.

You need:

• One audio file for each chapter

• Opening and closing credits

• A short retail sample

• A square audiobook cover

• Complete, consistent metadata

• Rights to distribute the audio in your chosen territories

• A planned release date and pricing strategy

The audio does not need to be recorded in a traditional studio. An audiobook generator can turn your manuscript or eBook into professional-quality audio without microphones, recording booths or complex editing software.

Lama Mani’s intuitive platform helps you move from draft to finished audio through a simple process: upload your written work, choose a Digital Narrator, review the output and download your files.

It is fast, straightforward and priced by word count, so you can match your production costs to the size of your project.

Choose how you will distribute

You generally have two options.

Use a wide audiobook distributor

A distributor or aggregator sends your audiobook to several retailers from one account. You upload your files and metadata once, then select the platforms and territories you want to reach.

This is often the simplest route for independent authors because it reduces repetitive administration. Instead of creating separate listings, uploading the same files four times and checking four sets of requirements, you manage one central submission.

Distribution services may also provide:

• Retail and library distribution

• Sales and royalty reporting

• Currency conversion

• Territory management

• Metadata updates

• Delivery of files to participating stores

Terms, fees, exclusivity and retailer availability differ between providers. Read the contract carefully before committing. Check whether the distributor takes commission, charges a subscription, requires exclusivity or supports digitally narrated audiobooks.

Upload directly to selected platforms

Some platforms provide direct publishing routes. This gives you more control over individual listings, but it also creates more work.

You may need to:

• Learn each platform’s dashboard

• Prepare files in different formats

• Enter the same metadata repeatedly

• Manage separate pricing and territory settings

• Monitor several reporting systems

Direct upload can be useful if you want close control over one particular retailer. For most authors, however, a distributor offers a lower-friction starting point.

Spotify explains that authors can share audiobooks with its referral partner, Voices by INaudio, for distribution to a wider network that includes Apple Books and Google Play Books. However, Spotify currently notes that digitally narrated audiobooks are not shared with referral partners through that route. Always check the latest Spotify for Authors guidance before choosing your workflow.

Prepare your audio files

Retailers and distributors may request different file types or technical specifications. Requirements can change, so check the current instructions at the point of upload.

A sensible preparation list includes:

• Separate files for each chapter

• Clear file names in reading order

• Consistent volume throughout

• Clean beginnings and endings

• No clipped words, distracting pauses or pronunciation errors

• A separate sample file

• Opening and closing credits where required

Most audiobook workflows use high-quality MP3, M4A or M4B files. Your distributor may convert files for specific retailers, but you should not rely on conversion to fix poor source audio.

Listen to the complete audiobook before distribution. Automated checks can identify technical faults, but only a full human review will reveal an awkward pronunciation, an unexpected pause or a character voice that does not feel consistent.

This is where AI narration can save time without lowering your standards. With Lama Mani, you can assign different Digital Narrators to characters, test the flow of a chapter and make revisions before preparing your final files.

The goal is not to make production feel technical. It is to make quality control feel manageable.

Create cover art that works everywhere

Audiobook cover art is usually square, even when the original eBook cover is vertical.

Prepare a high-resolution master with:

• A square layout

• A clear title

• The author’s name

• Strong contrast at thumbnail size

• Consistent branding with the eBook and print editions

• No unnecessary small text

Your cover may appear on a mobile screen, in a search result or as a small recommendation tile. If the title cannot be read at a glance, simplify the design.

Do not assume that your eBook cover can be uploaded unchanged. Check the distributor’s image dimensions, file type and file-size requirements. A common preparation point is a square JPEG or PNG at 2,400 × 2,400 pixels, but current retailer instructions should take priority.

Get your metadata right

Metadata is the information that tells platforms what your audiobook is about and who it is for.

Prepare:

• Title and subtitle

• Author name

• Series name and volume number

• Narrator or Digital Narrator details

• Book description

• Language

• Categories or genres

• Keywords

• Publication and release dates

• ISBN or other identifier, where applicable

• Contributor roles

• Rights and territories

Accuracy matters. Your audiobook title, author name and series information should match the corresponding eBook and print editions wherever possible.

Google’s book metadata guidance confirms that more complete information helps readers discover a book. It also requires audiobook contributors to identify whether the recording uses a human narrator or a synthesised voice.

Treat your description as sales copy, not a technical form. Explain the listening experience, the central promise of the book and the audience it will help or entertain.

Use natural search language, too. Phrases such as audiobook narration, ebook to audiobook and best text to speech for audiobooks can help you understand what readers are looking for. Avoid forcing keywords into the description. Clarity always wins.

Understand each platform

Spotify

Spotify offers access to a large audience already accustomed to streaming audio. It can be especially useful for discovery, helping listeners encounter authors they may not have searched for directly.

You may reach Spotify through:

• Spotify for Authors

• A supported distributor

• A referral route such as Voices by INaudio, where eligible

Availability differs by country, and the way listeners access or pay for audiobooks can vary. Some listening may be connected to subscription access, while other titles may be purchased directly.

If your audiobook uses a Digital Narrator, pay particular attention to the latest upload and distribution rules. Spotify’s current support information places restrictions on sharing digitally narrated audiobooks with referral partners.

Apple Books

Apple Books gives you access to listeners within the Apple ecosystem, including people who move between iPhone, iPad, Mac and other supported devices.

Focus on:

• Premium-looking cover art

• Accurate contributor information

• A polished audio sample

• Consistent chapter ordering

• Clear genre and description choices

Apple’s delivery requirements may differ depending on whether you upload directly or use a distributor. Check current technical and content requirements before preparing the final package.

Google Play Books

Google Play Books can help you reach Android users and international audiences.

Google recommends completing as many metadata fields as possible. For an audiobook, that includes the narrator and the narration type. If your project uses a Digital Narrator, make sure the relevant synthesised-voice information is supplied accurately.

Pay close attention to:

• ISBN or platform identifier

• Series details

• Language

• Release date

• Subject categories

• Contributor roles

Google also recommends using a consistent subject standard, such as BISAC, where appropriate.

Kobo

Kobo Writing Life offers a direct route for authors who want to manage their own Kobo catalogue. Kobo may also be available through wide distributors.

Kobo’s audience is international and includes many committed readers who use a range of eReaders and listening services. Make sure your territories and currencies are suitable for your audience rather than assuming that one global price will work everywhere.

If your audiobook uses AI narration or a synthesised voice, check Kobo’s current contributor and disclosure requirements before uploading. Rules may specify how the narrator should be described in the listing.

Set rights, territories and pricing carefully

Only select territories where you have the right to distribute the audiobook.

If you own worldwide audio rights, you may be able to select worldwide distribution. If your rights are limited by a contract, language or territory, choose only the relevant countries.

Then decide how you will price the audiobook.

Consider:

• Length

• Genre

• The price of your eBook and print editions

• Comparable audiobooks

• Local currencies

• Retail versus library pricing

• Whether the platform supports promotional pricing

A distributor may allow you to set one base price and convert it automatically, or enter individual prices by territory. Review the final prices before submission. Automatic currency conversion is convenient, but it may not always create the most attractive local price.

Plan your launch date

Do not upload on the same day you want your audiobook to appear everywhere.

Allow time for:

1. Final audio review

2. Cover and metadata checks

3. Distributor approval

4. Retailer delivery

5. Platform processing

6. Listing verification

A four-to-eight-week preparation window gives you room to fix problems without delaying your launch. Your distributor should provide current estimates, but delivery times can vary.

Once the audiobook is live, check every listing. Confirm the cover, description, author name, sample and chapter order. Small errors are much easier to correct early.

Build discoverability beyond the stores

Distribution puts your audiobook in front of potential listeners. It does not guarantee that they will find it.

Support your release with:

• A dedicated audiobook page on your website

• Links to every live retailer listing

• Short audio clips for social media

• Newsletter announcements

• Quotes from early listeners

• A clear connection between your eBook and audiobook editions

• Blog content answering practical listener and author questions

You can also explain your production process. Authors and readers are increasingly interested in how professional audio is created, including the role of voiceover AI and modern text-to-speech tools.

For a useful behind-the-scenes angle, explore Lama Mani’s guide to a no-studio audiobook workflow or learn how to take your story global.

Your simple distribution checklist

Before submitting, confirm that you have:

• Final chapter files

• Opening and closing credits

• A clean retail sample

• Square cover art

• Complete metadata

• Accurate Digital Narrator disclosure

• Cleared audio rights

• Correct territories

• Localised pricing

• A realistic release date

• Links and promotional assets ready

The audiobook industry can look complicated when every platform presents a different dashboard. Your workflow does not have to be.

Create one professional master. Keep your metadata organised. Choose a distribution route that matches your rights and goals. Then let the platforms do their part.

With Lama Mani, your written work can become rich, polished audio through fast, intuitive ebook-to-audiobook conversion, lifelike Digital Narrator choices and transparent word-based billing. No studio required. Just a simpler path from finished manuscript to listeners around the world.

Ready to turn your next book into audio? Create your audiobook with Lama Mani and take the next step towards sharing your story with more listeners.