Vox

Turn Your Book Into an Audiobook

Have you ever thought about how powerful it would be to speak your story?

To let your readers hear your voice, your tone, your emotion — exactly as you meant it when you wrote those words?

phone showing earphones and an audiobook

Introducing Vox

At Jo Wildsmith Publishing, we’ve made creating your audiobook simple and stress-free.

No confusing tech. No dodgy sound quality. No need to sit in a draughty studio for days on end.

Just you, your words, and your voice — brought to life, beautifully.

headphones surrounding books to show that you can listen to your books

Introducing Vox

At Jo Wildsmith Publishing, we’ve made creating your audiobook simple and stress-free.

No confusing tech. No dodgy sound quality. No need to sit in a draughty studio for days on end.

Just you, your words, and your voice — brought to life, beautifully.

Hey there,

I'm Jo Wildsmith

...and this is what I do.

As a long-term self-publisher and print on demand seller, with a strong sales and business background, I have been benefitting from the magic of POD to passively bring me worldwide royalties from my books and merchandise.

With a keen eye for detail and a virulent streak of Virgo fastidiousness, delivering exceptional service and products that you are hugely proud of is my absolute mission.

You've done the hard bit.

You've put the hours in, you've written and re-written, read and re-read, the tens of thousands of carefully chosen words you've artfully placed in each chapter. And now it's just sitting there, staring at you!

Now what?

Stick it on Amazon and hope for the best?

Doesn't your masterpiece deserve more?

Welcome to my world.

One where The End is just the beginning...

Record in the comfort of your own surroundings

We handle all the tech so you don't have to

Before you record a single word, you will meet (via Zoom) our Audiobook Manager, George, who will help you to get everything set up.

Next, he will ask you to record a sample so that he can check the sound levels.

Once George gives you the thumbs up, start recording, and then send your files to him for:

Professional audio editing and mastering.
Removal of background noise and clicks.
Consistent volume and tone across chapters.
Chapter titles, metadata, and formatting for audiobook platforms.
Wide, global distribution across more than simply Audible.
What's more, our graphic designer will modify your print/ebook cover to create a compelling audiobook version.

We lend you all the professional recording equipment you’ll need — microphone, stand, desktop sound booth — and easy setup instructions.

You can record your audiobook in your own space and in your own voice (which we always recommend — no one can tell your story like you can).

However, if you would prefer a professional narrator, we can arrange that for you too, but, truly, most authors love discovering how empowering it is to record their own words, with their own tone and inflection.

Why audiobooks?

Audiobooks are currently one of the fastest-growing publishing formats.

Whether your goal is to reach new audiences, offer your readers another way to connect, or simply tick 'audiobook' off your author bucket list — VOX makes it happen.

You’ve already written the book.

Now it’s time for it to be heard.

To find out more, book a chat with Jo...

BOOK YOUR CALL

Recording your audiobook

How long does it take?

While there are many factors which could affect the length of time it takes to record your audiobook, we loan you the recording equipment for 3 months.

Why 3 months?

We limit the amount of time you hold on to the equipment deliberately. We know that doing so will spur you into action, but also allow enough time for retakes.

Also, we are aware that the recording equipment is quite large — it has to be to give the best sound quality — so we don't want it to be in your way.

What happens once it's recorded?

Our Audiobook Manager edits and tidies up your recordings, ensuring optimal sound quality and a book that is easy and comfortable to listen to. They then arrange a Zoom call with you to set up your accounts with the audiobook distributors — after all, it's your book so you receive the royalties — and upload it. Again, we ask for 3 months for this part of the process, but let us know if you have a deadline in mind.

"Do I really have to send the equipment back?"

If you are thinking of recording further audiobooks or hosting a podcast, you may decide that, once you are comfortable with the high quality equipment, you'd like to keep it.

That's not a problem at all. Simply let us know and we will arrange for you to purchase it from us.

Full support from our dedicated Audiobook Manager

Throughout the Vox process, you will have support from George, our Audiobook Manager, via WhatsApp and Zoom calls as required.

Starting from scratch? Magnum, our book publishing and audiobook combination package is the solution

If you are publishing your print and ebook with us, we have added our Vox service to Opus to create Magnum. By choosing Magnum from the outset, you will not only guarantee a smooth, seamless transition from print to audio, but you will save money too! Find out more about Magnum here.

Additional Services,

for if you'd like to take your book further

Check out these other JWP services to complement your Vox experience...

Chapter 9: Nine-Month Launch Plan — a full launch plan, delivered by video weekly, giving you the ultimate launch strategy with weekly tasks and masterclasses from guest speakers.
Linea — your own direct sales website, with warehousing and shipping facilities.
Opus — our paperback, hardcover and ebook publishing service. We also offer a package, Magnum, which combines Opus and Vox.

We never forget that it's your book, not ours

want to know more?

Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like more details before you book your chat with Jo, here she answers the questions most people ask...

Do I need any technical skills to record my audiobook?

Not at all! We provide full setup instructions and support. If you can plug in a microphone and read your book, you’re good to go.

What if I’m nervous about recording my own voice?

That’s completely normal, most authors feel that way at first. But once you get started, it becomes surprisingly natural. And don’t worry, we edit out all the fluffs, coughs, and pauses.

If you really don’t fancy doing it yourself, we can arrange a professional narrator for you for an extra fee.

How long does the process take?

It depends on your book’s length and your recording pace, but most projects are completed within 6 months from start to finish.

What happens if it takes me longer than 3 months to record my audiobook?

We help and encourage you to plan your recording time and get your files to our Audiobook Manager in good time. Allow a buffer period at the end for retakes, too.

Both our Audiobook Manager and the recording equipment may be booked for another client, so if you are over-running please let us know as soon as possible. We reserve the right to charge a fee for extended rental of the recording equipment.

Do I keep the equipment?

The equipment is on loan, so once you’ve finished recording, you simply send it back in the pre-paid packaging we provide. Easy!
If, however, you would prefer to keep the equipment for future use, just ask. We will then invoice you and it will be all yours! The equipment we currently provide can be purchased from us for £500.

Where will my audiobook be available?

We distribute your audiobook wide, meaning it’s available on all major platforms, giving you much greater visibility (and often better royalties) than an Audible-only release.

Can you help me market the audiobook?

Yes! If you’d like launch support or marketing help, we can add that on as part of your book’s wider promotion strategy through Jo Wildsmith Publishing. See Chapter 9: The 9-Month Launch Plan.

What if I’ve already recorded my audiobook but it needs editing or uploading?

To maintain a high standard of recording, processing and uploading, we can only offer Vox as a full service at this time.

How do payments work?

You can pay in full, or we can set up a payment plan. We’ll chat about what works best for you during your call, but you can see our prices if you scroll down the page a little further.