Adapting Visuals For Audiobooks

How to adapt a book with tables, diagrams and pictures

As the good old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. So, it’s not uncommon to find printed books containing plenty of pictures, photos, tables, and graphs, especially in the non fiction world. 

Think of all those lovely pages of photos you often find sandwiched in the middle of biographies and autobiographies. And the many drawings, tables and graphs that help illustrate points or visualise data in business and self help books. 

Beautiful and helpful as these visuals might be in print, they make for a lousy audio experience. So, how best to go about representing these images in your soon to-be-narrated audiobook? The answer, as always, comes down to a little careful planning and creativity that will turn your manuscript into one that works for audiobook narration.

Take a look at our 9 tips and tricks that will help you convert your visuals into audio-friendly prose.

1. Understand Your Content

• Catalogue all your visuals: Make a list which has the page number, name of visual, type of visual (e.g. table, picture, graph etc), the purpose of the visual (see below) and a tick box for if you want to keep it or not in the audiobook see below). If it helps, we’ve made a little catalogue template that you can download and use. You can find it, along with lots of other helpful tips and hints, by signing up or logging in our Free Resources Audiobooks Members Club.
• Clarify the purpose: Understand the role each visual plays in the text (e.g., explanatory, illustrative, supplementary) so that you can effectively describe or interpret it in audio form.
• Identify the visuals you’d like to keep in the audiobook: Not all images, tables, and graphs are crucial for understanding the content. Determine which visuals add significant value and which can be omitted or summarised.

2. Describe Images and Visuals

• Brief descriptions: For important images, provide a succinct description that conveys the key points without overwhelming the listener. Focus on what the listener needs to know to follow the narrative.
• Use metaphors and comparisons: If possible, describe complex visuals using everyday language, metaphors, or analogies to help the listener grasp the concept.
• Structure descriptions logically: For complex images, describe them in a top-to-bottom, left-to-right, or other logical order, helping the listener visualise step by step.

3. Adapt Tables

• Provide context: Explain what the table is showing and why it’s relevant before diving into any details.
• Summarise key data: Instead of reading out a table verbatim, highlight the most important trends, comparisons, or statistics. The goal is to provide a digestible version of the data.
• Use verbal cues for structure: When tables are essential, use phrases like “first row,” “second column,” or “final entry” to guide listeners through the table.

4. Convert Graphs and Charts

• Highlight trends: Focus on the key takeaways from the graph, such as trends, patterns, or comparisons, rather than specific data points.
• Narrate the axes and key points: Describe what the axes represent and then point out significant highs, lows, and turning points.
• Give a big picture: After summarising key details, provide an overall interpretation of what the chart or graph conveys.

5. Supplemental Resources

• Offer downloadable materials: Provide listeners with access to a supplemental PDF that includes the visuals, tables, and graphs. This way, they can refer to them as needed while listening. Many audiobook distribution platforms will allow you to submit one downloadable PDF with your audiobook. So, if this is something you would like to do, pick a distribution platform that can accommodate this.
• Direct listeners to a website: If the book is tied to a website, offer a link where listeners can view the images and tables.
• Supplementary content: You can create additional audio content, such as short podcast episodes or audio explanations, where you dive deeper into the visuals, tables, and charts. This can add value and engagement for the listener.

6. Smooth Transitions

• Integrate visuals seamlessly: Don’t let descriptions disrupt the flow of the narration. Use phrases like, “The following chart shows,” or, “In the image, you’ll notice…” to smoothly introduce visuals.
• Maintain pacing: Avoid getting bogged down in too much detail; keep the audio moving at a pace that retains the listener’s attention.

7. Consider Rewriting for Audio

• Simplify or rephrase: Some sections, especially those reliant on visuals, may need to be rewritten or summarised to work better in an audio format.
• Add context: In cases where visuals would typically explain a concept, consider adding more verbal context or examples to ensure clarity.

8. Use Expert Narration

• Narration style: Choose a narrator who can deliver technical or complex descriptions in an engaging and clear manner, particularly if the material is data-heavy.
• Multiple voices: For books with different sections, consider using different narrators for various parts of the book (e.g., someone for the main narrative and another for technical details) to keep it dynamic.

9. Test the Flow

• Get feedback: Before finalising the audiobook, test sections with visuals on listeners unfamiliar with the material to ensure the descriptions make sense without the visuals.
• Adjust pacing and clarity: Based on feedback, tweak the descriptions to be clearer or more concise where necessary.

Just a few more things from us to bear in mind on this subject

• Give yourself time: Making these adaptations to your original ‘printed’ manuscript will take you a little bit of time. It’s time very well spent, but it will add to the time it takes to produce your audiobook.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread: Do make sure you get someone to proofread or copy edit your new additions to the manuscript. This will make for a much better listen (as well as speed up the recording process).
• Additional Investment: Turning your visuals into words will add to the word count, and subsequently cost, of your audiobook. So, when getting your initial quotes, make sure you let the producer know that your printed manuscript is currently xxxx number of words long but is likely to increase.