Do you ever listen to an audiobook while making tea or pottering around the kitchen?

I do—and if you’ve tried it, you know how they can turn even the most ordinary chore into a bit of an escape.

I’ve noticed that nearly everyone I know has become an audiobook fan in recent years.

They’re no longer just for book lovers or techies—everyone seems to be listening nowadays.

And here’s something most people don’t know: you don’t need any special skills or publishing contacts to make your own audiobook and earn a bit for yourself.

Seriously.

If the idea sounds a little… out of reach, let’s break it down together.

I promise, by the end, you’ll see that it’s perfectly doable—even if you’re not a writer, an actor, or great with computers.

Why Audiobooks? (And What’s Changed Lately)

Audiobooks aren’t just a quirky trend—they’re one of the fastest growing ways people enjoy stories, advice, and how-tos.

Industry figures say that in just one year, UK audiobook sales jumped to over £200 million.

But forget the big numbers for a moment.

What matters is that there are real, working tools now that make publishing your own audiobook so much easier, even if you don’t have a clue about writing or recording.

• There are clever language tools that help you research and write, even if you don’t know where to start.

• You can use public domain books—the kind that are out of copyright and totally free for anyone to use.

• There are new recording tools that “read” your book out loud for you, using natural, humanlike voices—no microphone needed.

So if you ever wanted to share your story, your know-how, or even just try something new—there has never been a better time to give it a go.

How To Make Your Own Audiobook: A Gentle, Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1: Pick a Topic
Think about what you know, love, or have learned in life.

This could be tips for growing tomatoes, little-known local history, organising family archives, or even funny stories from your career.

Don’t be put off if you’re not an expert—these days, you can use tools like ChatGPT to help with the research or find a “public domain” book that you can update or retell in your own style.

If you’re curious what people actually like, peek at the top selling audiobooks on Audible or Amazon (they have “Best Seller” lists by subject) and see what’s popular.

Step 2: Plan What You’ll Say
Break your book idea into a handful of key points, stories, or steps.

If you’re drawing from your own experience, list out what you might cover in each short section.

If you’re using an old book from the public domain, skim through and pick the bits you’d want to keep or rewrite.

If you get stuck, just ask ChatGPT or Google for help planning out your chapters or sections.

Step 3: Write or Adapt
Here’s where you take your plan and flesh it out.

You can write your own sections in simple language—think of explaining things to a friend, not writing a school essay.

Or copy and tweak any suitable content from public domain archives like Project Gutenberg or the Internet Archive.

The key is to keep it friendly and readable.

If you’re not sure how to start, just write a letter to yourself or a friend—it works!

Step 4: Let a Tool Read It Out (or Read It Yourself)
This is the biggest change in recent years.

No need to hire a voice actor or buy fancy recording kit.

AI text-to-speech tools can now turn your writing into near-perfect spoken word.

Try free versions of platforms like Artlist, Revoicer, or ElevenLabs.

You just paste your text, choose a voice, and listen back.

You could even record your own voice, using the microphone on your computer or phone, if you fancy giving it a go.

Step 5: Get It Live
Once you’ve got your audio files, use a service that handles the tech for you and gets your audiobook in front of real listeners.

Big names include ACX (which links to Amazon and Audible), Findaway Voices, and Authors Republic.

They will ask for your files and details, then handle the rest—making your audiobook available in the online shops people actually use.

Step 6: Price and Share
Don’t get bogged down in pricing.

Short books might sell for £2.99–£5.99; longer, more detailed ones go for more.

If in doubt, look at what similar audiobooks cost, then match them.

Once your book is up, these platforms often have their own marketing tools that put your work in front of buyers.

But if you fancy spreading the word yourself, you could post a link in local Facebook groups, mention it to friends, or even print a little flyer for the church/school noticeboard.

A Few Final Thoughts (and Words of Encouragement)

It’s natural to worry that you’re “not technical” or might not have what it takes.

But that’s simply not true.

What matters most is that you have a story or some know-how—or even just the willingness to give it a go.

These tools exist to serve you, not the other way around.

Even if you’ve never written or recorded a thing before, you can learn a huge amount just by trying each step.

You might even find you enjoy it more than you’d expect.

If you’d like more detail on any step, just reply and let me know which bit seems confusing, scary, or needs demystifying.

Or, if you decide to try it out, let me know how you get on.

There’s nothing more rewarding than putting something new out in the world, and knowing that experience—not just technology—matters most of all.

With all my encouragement,
Tony