What the heck does Red Planet do again?

We provide turnkey, professional audiobook services for independent authors and small and mid-level publishing houses. We also offer custom podcast production services and ancillary services such as editing, abridgment, and PR.

What do you mean ‘turnkey services’?

We mean a start-to-finish, soup-to-nuts, streamlined audiobook production process. We’ll provide a professional production team that will record and edit your manuscript in a fully digital recording studio. Then we’ll manufacture and distribute your finished product in digital AND physical formats across the planet.

How much is this going to cost?

It depends on the length of your manuscript. You’ll be responsible for a production fee, the details of which you can find HERE. Once your audiobook is produced, you don’t owe us another cent. Except for you, Jeffrey Smythers. We haven’t forgotten about that $3 you borrowed in 5th grade.

And where do you stick it to me with hidden fees?

Nowhere, we promise. Really. Refeshing, isn’t it?

But I’ll have to pay a lot to manufacture and warehouse a bunch of CDs, right?

No! We’ll manufacture CDs on demand, as they’re ordered, so you’re not required to maintain a warehouse full of audiobooks.That’s an idea commonly referred to as “Print On Demand,” and all the cool kids in publishing are doing it.

In the olden days, when dinosaurs walked the earth, self-published authors and small presses were required to print hundreds or thousands of their books at once. That’s no longer the case. With P.O.D., books can now be printed affordably one at a time, as they’re ordered by your readers. Red Planet has brought this production model to audiobooks.

So is this “vanity” audiobook publishing?

No! We carefully consider every manuscript that’s sent to us. We’re interested in partnering with independent authors and small publishers who are doing revolutionary things, writing great books, and who’ve come to recognize the traditional publishing industry as the living dinosaur we believe it is.

How can I make money doing this?

Your audiobook will be sold at all major online bookstores, audio download sites and available for order or sale at brick-and-mortar bookstores nationwide. You can read more about our distribution schedule HERE.

Wait… what? Can you tell me more about how sales of my book work?

Sure! We use a “manufacture on demand” model to distribute your book. This means we have the ability to quickly manufacture a physical product when it’s ordered, instead of warehousing hundreds or thousands of copies.

When a customer orders a book, we manufacture and ship it within a day. Then we pass profits along to you. If you haven’t recouped the full cost of your production fee yet, we pass along 100% of everything we get (minus manufacturing costs). If you have, we pass along 80%. Really, take a look at the DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE to help you run some numbers.

Who owns the rights to the audiobook Red Planet creates?

Red Planet retains only the rights to the audiobook recording we make. You keep all other rights to your work. This means that if, say, TransNationalGlobal Publishing, Inc., buys the rights to your manuscript, they’ll be able to produce another audiobook under their label. Our work is stellar, though, so we don’t know why they’d want to go and do that!

How long will my audiobook be?

In general, 9,000 – 10,000 words will comprise one hour of audio.

How many CDs is that?

One CD equals around one hour of audio.

Will Red Planet abridge my manuscript for me?

Yes, we can do that! We provide editors, writing coaches, and abridgment specialists who can assist you in optimizing your work for some of the unique aspects specific to audiobooks. You can visit THIS PAGE for more information about our abridgment and editing services.

What about cover art?

You bet! For a flat fee, our graphics professionals can design a stunning cover for your audiobook. Want to see some examples of the kind of work you can expect? Take a look at our SAMPLES.

And PR and marketing?

That, too! We partner with some of the best publishing-specific PR and marketing firms in the industry. We can help you do everything from crafting a press release to designing a full-fledged marketing campaign to help you get your message out. Give us a call at 888-WE-READ-IT for a custom PR or marketing quote.

What will my finished audiobook sound like?

It’ll sound great! We have a Visit our SAMPLES page for audio clips and a free downloadable short story.

What will my finished audiobook look like?

Our SAMPLES page has the details about our audiobook packaging. Rest assured, it’s a fully professional product.

Is there a standard length for abridged audiobooks?

Yes. Six hours, or about 60,000 words, is considered the “standard” abridged audiobook length. Of course, Red Planet Audiobooks can record a manuscript of any length, abridged or not.

How much will my audiobook sell for?

It depends on the length of your manuscript. We’ll work with you to set a retail price for your audiobook. Our minimum retail rates can be found HERE, but higher retail rates are possible for some audiobooks.

Does your fee include an ISBN?

Yes. Your finished audiobook is a completely professional product that will include an ISBN and conform to professional “red book” standards.

I’m interested in a more traditional publishing model. Do you offer one?

Absolutely. Red Planet offers a program geared toward high-volume titles. If you are interested in learning more about options for authors and publishers who’d like to self-distribute at least 1,000 copies, call us toll-free at 888-WE-READ-IT, and ask to speak to a Volume Sales representative, or email us from our CONTACTS page.

What about adding sound effects or full-cast audiobook productions?

Red Planet’s standard package includes incidental music and a single narrator. However, we do have a lot of experience with full-cast audio production. If you are interested in giving your manuscript a full-cast treatment, call us and we can design a custom package for you.

Can I be the reader on my own audiobook?

If you are a voice acting professional and located in the Austin, Texas, area, we’ll consider it. Otherwise, you should let one of our professional readers provide the narration for your audiobook. Voice acting is time-consuming, difficult work, and you’ll be much happier with the finished product if you let a professional do his or her thing for you!

I still have more questions!

We’ll be happy to answer them. You can call us toll free, e-mail us, reach us via snail mail, or send us a carrier pigeon. Details on how to contact us using the first three methods can be found on our CONTACTS page (you’re on your own with the pigeon).

If I call or e-mail you, are you going to hound me for weeks, send me a bunch of junk mail, or pressure me to work with you?

Absolutely not! We produce a great product at a fair price. We don’t need to give it the hard sell. We’ll answer your questions and leave you alone. Unless you’re Jeffrey Smythers. We’re never going to forget that $3 you owe us from 5th grade, Jeffrey. Ever.