What Makes a Great Audiobook Script (And How to Prepare Yours)
Audiobook Script Prep, the Lucent Way: Collaborative, Clear, and Careful
Audiobook Script Prep Isn’t About Rewriting. It’s About Planning.
When authors hear “script preparation,” they often assume their book needs to be reformatted or rewritten. That’s not the case. At Lucent Audio, we don’t change your manuscript, we help you make smart decisions about how it translates to audio.
A great audiobook script isn’t just about what’s in the book. It’s about what belongs in the audiobook version, and what doesn’t.
Let’s walk through what that really means, and how we guide you through the process.
Decide What Will and Won’t Be Narrated
Not everything in a printed book makes sense in an audiobook. We’ll walk through your manuscript together and flag sections that need consideration, such as:
Acknowledgments
Do you want them narrated? Some authors do and some don’t. It depends on tone and purpose.Author’s Note
These will generally be included as they help add context for the listener.Footnotes
We’ll help decide what should be integrated, skipped, or referenced in a different way.Appendices
Some can be narrated. Others might be better served as downloadable PDFs or website links.About the Author
Do you want to include it? If so, we’ll discuss where and how it fits best in the flow. If you’re narrating, it can be awkward reading about yourself in the 3rd person POV.
The goal here is clarity, not just for the narrator, but for the listener. What you include should enhance the experience. What you leave out shouldn’t be missed.
Plan for Visual Elements Thoughtfully
Graphs, charts, and visual figures don’t translate directly to audio. But they can be handled in ways that serve your audience well.
We’ll guide you through your options:
Ignore the graphic if it’s not critical to the message
Refer listeners to a website or bonus PDF with the graphics
Work with a professional (like Scribely) to write alt text which describes what the graphic conveys, increasing accessibility
No matter the approach, we’ll help you script or flag the right transition so listeners aren’t confused. You don’t need to “see the chart on page 17” if you’re being guided clearly.
We Don’t Touch Formatting. We Touch Strategy.
We won’t ask you to reformat your manuscript or alter your layout. Headers, footers, page numbers, these are non-issues. What matters is intention. What belongs in the ear, what doesn’t, and how to communicate that clearly to the narrator and listener alike.
At Lucent Audio, we walk you through that decision-making process step by step. You stay in control, and we make sure nothing gets missed.
Final Takeaway: Thoughtful Script Prep Makes for Seamless Production
The best audiobook scripts aren’t “adapted.” They’re guided. And they come from collaborative planning that honors your book, your voice, and your listener’s experience.
Whether you’re narrating yourself or working with a professional, Lucent Audio ensures your script is production-ready, listener-friendly, and aligned with your message.
Ready to make your audiobook sound like it was always meant to be heard? Let’s start with the script.