Before any audiobook is produced, someone must hold the right to create and sell it. For many authors, that question has a surprising answer.
Rights are separate
Print, ebook, audio, translation and film rights can be licensed separately. A traditional publishing contract may include audio rights — or the author may have retained them.
Check your contract
Look for clauses mentioning audio, sound recordings or 'all formats'. If audio rights were granted to a publisher, you cannot produce an audiobook independently unless they revert or you obtain permission.
Licensing to an audio publisher
Licensing grants a publisher the right to produce and sell the audiobook for a defined territory and term, usually in exchange for an advance and royalties.
Seek professional advice
Rights questions can be complex. An agent or publishing lawyer can review contracts. Narravelle can research and organize the questions to ask, but does not provide legal advice.
Official sources
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Platform policies change — please check official sources.