Learn about Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading

How can I take advantage of the new Kindle and Audible features Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading to reach more readers in more ways?

If your book has a Kindle book version, you can use ACX to produce a digital audiobook version of your book, and to make your book eligible for the new Whispersync for Voice functionality which allows customers to switch seamlessly between reading a Kindle book and listening to the corresponding, professionally narrated audiobook across devices without losing their place. Audiobooks will also be eligible for the new Immersion Reading feature, which allows customers with the new Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD devices to listen to a professionally narrated audiobook from Audible as the text of the corresponding eBook is highlighted on the screen. When customers buy your Kindle book, they will be able to purchase your Whispersync for Voice-ready Audible audiobook at a special limited time discounted price.

How can I ensure my ACX-created audiobook will be made eligible for Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading?

Currently, not all books are enabled for these new features, but the Audible team is working to increase the number of books enabled. If your book is already available on Audible.com, you can contact our customer care team to discuss Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading.

How can I make sure my Kindle book and Audible audiobook are able to sync?

We need the narrated words to perfectly mirror the words in the Kindle book. Here is some general advice for both you and the audiobook’s producer:

Avoid ad-lib in narration
Make sure the audiobook is edited well and sentences are not inserted twice (e.g. editor leaves in duplicate actor takes of the same sentence).
The audiobook should be uploaded as chapters following the book's chapter breaks.
Do not add audio content that isn't in the Kindle version. Usually a little bit of front matter and back matter will likely pass, but if there is a chapter of audio that isn't in the Kindle book it is often not syncable.
Avoid background music; music in the audiobook reduces the likelihood that it will be syncable.
Do not have the narrator read footnotes "in line."
Content in table format can be skipped. If it is narrated, columns should be read across.
Do not describe figures or photographs when the description isn't in the actual text of the Kindle book.
Avoid working with a narrator with a very strong accent that makes it difficult to match the written word with what is being said.

Furthermore, if you make changes to your Kindle book, such changes may cause the two products to be unsyncable (inside the book, this includes inserting or rewriting sentences, paragraphs, or chapters). If you make any significant changes, the two products will not be syncable. Some changes including margin size, font color, font size, background color, and minor punctuation updates may not impact the features. Also, metadata changes will not impact the features (price, title, author, product description, etc.).

Can I still make updates to the Kindle version of my book or will that impact the Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading features?

Metadata changes to your book will not impact the features (price, title, author, product description, etc.). Changes made inside your Kindle book may impact the Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading features. However, if you are alerted about formatting issues with your Kindle book, we recommend that you correct those issues. When you make these changes, your book will not by sync-able immediately. If it remains un-synced for more than 1 week, we suggest that you contact the ACX customer care team to alert them. Some changes including margin size, font color, font size, background color, and minor punctuation updates may not impact the features.

How long will it take to enable my audiobook for Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading?

From the time you start the production process, we estimate that it will take about 3 to 8 weeks to complete the audiobook, depending on the length of the book and the Producer’s schedule. Once the finished audiobook is approved by you, it typically takes up to 14 business days to get the audiobook into stores. The work done during this time ensures that the audiobook is packaged correctly and ready for retail distribution, and enables it for Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading.

Why is the upgrade price for my digital audiobook for customers who buy the Kindle version different than the a la carte price for my digital audiobook – and how are these prices set?

We want to encourage people who have purchased a Kindle book to try the new Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading features, so prices for this digital audiobook upgrade are generally lower than purchasing the audiobook a la carte.