Audiobooks are audio recordings of published texts performed by professional narrators.

There is no single, multi-employer collective bargaining agreement for audiobooks, SAG-AFTRA has more than 90 separate agreements with audiobook publishers and producers and the agreements vary slightly.

Interested in a career in audiobook narration?

Find Industry Resources

Here’s what just a few employers have said about their experience with SAG-AFTRA:

“I have been working in the audiobook industry as a producer, director, executive and advocate for over 28 years. In that time I have not only had the privilege of hiring thousands of SAG-AFTRA members to narrate audiobooks, but worked closely with leadership to define the best production practices for our industry. Penguin Random House Audio is dedicated to crafting unique and immersive audio experiences for our authors, with an eye towards inclusive and equitable casting practice. Working closely with SAG/AFTRA talent allows us to do that. Our relationship and partnership with the union, as well as its members, are of utmost importance to us.”

  • Dan Zitt, Vice President, Content Production for the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group.

“Audiobooks narrators are professional performers and should be treated that way. Like all pros, they want to protect their families’ health and plan for the future. SAG-AFTRA membership helps them to do that.  As a long-time producer of audiobooks, I owe my livelihood to bringing my clients the best talent available. And that’s SAG-AFTRA talent-forward-leaning professionals who consistently deliver at rates that work for their clients and for themselves,”

  • John McElroy, who runs a three-time Grammy Award winning production company.

"On the basis of my SAG-AFTRA Narrator’s strong and beautiful narration of Whispers of Betrayal, by Adela Edgecombe, I’ve nominated the audiobook for an Audie. I just want you to know that we see great value in hiring SAG-AFTRA talent and it is my intent to work with you again soon. She identified herself as a SAG-AFTRA member in the opening and closing credits and we are proud of that. Thank you for making it so easy to work with SAG-AFTRA."

  • Maryann Karinch, Producer with Armin Lear Press

 

For Producers/Publishers

By signing a SAG-AFTRA audiobook contract you get seasoned, professional narrators and a superior audiobook product. By signing a SAG-AFTRA contract, you are also contributing towards the narrators’ medical and pension eligibility. If you are interested in producing audiobooks, please click here to complete our questionnaire and a staff representative will reach out to you.

Contact Information

If you have questions about audiobook work, call any of the SAG-AFTRA staff representative below:

Location Name Email Phone Number
New York Richard Larkin richard.larkin@sagaftra.org (212) 863-4242
Washington-Mid Atlantic Jane Love jane.love@sagaftra.org (301) 657-2560 x4859
Miami Andrea Henderson andrea.henderson@sagaftra.org (305)-663-7094

 

Audiobooks Industry Resources

Below find a list of resources to help guide you through your audiobook career. 

Casting Opportunities

 

Penguin Random House Audiobooks Mentoring Program

Additional information to come; please email SAG-AFTRA@penguinrandomhouse.com with inquiries. 

 

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