The cost difference

Base production is 7.000000000000001% of word count for an audio book and 12% for a film book. On a 90,000-word novel that is $6,300 against $10,800.

Every film book forged here carries its matching audio book edition at 33% of the film book production. Building the film book first is the only path that gets you both editions from one commission.

Add-ons apply to both, but they are not identical. A film book usually wants more scene illustration and motion; an audio book lives or dies on the narrator alone.

The time difference

Both editions run the same finished length — 155 words to the minute — because they are cut from the same performance. The audio book finishes first because it has no picture to cut, no scene plates to build, no motion to compose.

A film book therefore takes longer in post-production and review. It is not twice the runtime; it is roughly twice the bench time.

Which manuscript suits a film book

Books whose readers already 'see' the scenes are natural film books: fantasy, historical, romance, thriller, children's. Books that rely on internal monologue, argument or abstraction can become film books, but they need more visual invention to do it.

If your book is built on dialogue and atmosphere, an audio book may deliver almost everything the story needs.

The order that saves money

The cheapest way to own both editions is to commission the film book first. Its audio edition is already included. The most expensive way is to commission an audio book elsewhere and later commission a film book from scratch, paying twice for casting and direction.

If you cannot yet afford the film book, commission the audio book and plan the film edition for a later year. The masters will still be useful.

Asked and answered

Can I make a film book from an existing audiobook?

Only if you own the masters and the performance rights. Most royalty-share audiobook deals do not give you those rights, which is why commissioning the film book first is cleaner.

Is a film book worth it for a short book?

A shorter book has less to recoup, but the fixed costs of score and illustration weigh more heavily per word. The Forge shows the honest number for your exact manuscript.

Do readers prefer film books or audiobooks?

Audiobooks have the larger audience today because the format is familiar. Film books are a newer retail form, better at stopping a scroll and earning a higher perceived value.