Self-publishing in Canada: budget-friendly audio for eBooks (my chat with Matty Dalrymple)
I recently joined Matty Dalrymple on the Alliance of Independent Authors podcast to talk about simple ways to add audio to an eBook without overspending. You can watch the episode on YouTube. If you follow my work, you know I have been exploring this space in detail, including Hybrid Books: Merging Audio and eBooks for a Richer Experience and Enhancing eBooks with Audio: Cost-Effective Strategies for Thoughtful Authors. This post shares the key ideas from my conversation with Matty, adds Canadian context, and shows where audio belongs in self-publishing in Canada.
Hi, I’m Michael Pietrobon, founder of Foglio Custom Book Specialists in Toronto. I help independent authors with book cover design, typesetting, eBook formatting, ISBN, and distribution. I focus on professional quality and clear, friendly support for Canadian writers.
Why audio belongs in your eBook
Canadian readers still love print, and that is a good thing. Audio inside an eBook does not replace reading. It adds texture, mood, and clarity. Short sound cues can help young readers. A brief author note can help adults connect with the story. Done with care, these touches make a book feel more human.
[00:02:39] “You can find so many free sound effects online… you would just use these little tags, these leitmotifs, which would give a little more texture to the text.”
Audio in an eBook is not the same as an audiobook. In an audiobook, the audio is the product. In an eBook, audio is an extra. Keep clips short. Choose a small palette of sounds. Let the text lead.
What we covered on the podcast, and why it matters
We looked at practical enhancements that work on today’s devices and store platforms. We also talked about how to keep files accessible, validated, and friendly for libraries and schools in Canada. The thread that runs through it all is simple. Add sound where it helps the reader. Skip it where it adds noise.
[00:11:33] “Audio cannot play automatically when you get onto a page. You have to actually press a button and it has to be a deliberate action.”
That one rule keeps you aligned with EPUB and accessibility guidance. It also keeps the experience respectful. Readers stay in control.
A practical workflow for Canadian indie authors
Plan your moments. Make a one-page map of where audio helps: a 45-second author welcome, a name guide, or a tiny chapter cue. Start small and keep it consistent.
Record clean, not fancy. A quiet room and a phone are often enough. If you need help, use light processing to remove noise and match levels. Save in common formats like MP3 or M4A.
[00:19:42] “Adobe has a speech enhancement thing… it’s entirely free… Drag and drop your audio files in there, and it comes out perfectly clean.”
Choose the right EPUB. For text-heavy books, use reflowable EPUB 3 and simple play buttons. For picture-heavy layouts, use fixed-layout EPUB 3 so you can place art, text, and buttons with precision. Always label controls for screen readers and avoid auto-play.
Validate and test. Check your EPUB with a validator. Test on iOS, Android, desktop apps, and a few different screen sizes. If this step makes you nervous, bring in a specialist for a short pass.
If you need hands-on help, these services can save you time and errors: Typesetting & Formatting, Book Cover Design, ISBN, Barcode & Distribution, and eBook Design.
Self-publishing in Canada: set priorities that work
It is easy to get excited about extras, but order still matters here in Canada. Print remains strong across many genres. Give most of your attention to the page. Then ship a clean standard eBook. Add enhancements once your base is solid.
[00:26:41] “Your primary concern should still be the print and then the ebook and then the audiobook, and then somewhere in there, the enhanced ebook version.”
This order protects your timeline and your budget. It also serves the largest group of readers first.
Distribution strategy for enhanced editions in Canada
Aggregators are great for reach. They will often push one version of your file everywhere. That helps with scale, but it can limit your control. If you want a special enhanced edition, you may need a direct upload to certain stores.
A simple way to do it:
Keep your wide standard EPUB through your aggregator for maximum coverage and library access.
Upload an enhanced EPUB directly to stores that handle rich EPUB 3 features.
Give the enhanced version a small badge on the cover and a short note in the description.
Canadian context: rights, ISBN, and reader experience
Canadian authors have a few built-in advantages. ISBNs are free in Canada, which gives you control over each edition. That means you can issue one ISBN for the standard EPUB and another for the enhanced EPUB, then track performance separately. Readers benefit from clear labelling. You benefit from clean metadata and analytics.
For official guidance, see Library and Archives Canada for ISBN Canada, IngramSpark for print and distribution options, and Amazon KDP for Kindle formats and store rules. These resources are useful for timelines, pricing, and file specs.
When audio helps most
Short, well-placed clips do real work. They set tone, help with names, and build a bond with your reader. Here are three patterns that have worked well for my clients:
Character and place cues. A tiny motif at a chapter opener can guide the reader’s ear. It works for children’s books and for adult genres like fantasy and mystery. Use one or two related textures so the sound design feels like part of the world.
Author notes. A brief welcome at the front of the book helps readers feel close to the voice behind the text. Keep it under a minute. Speak naturally. This works especially well for memoir and poetry.
Pronunciation guides. For books with regional names or foreign terms, a short guide removes friction. It also invites readers into the culture of the book.
Keep each idea small and repeatable. Reuse your textures to keep the file size low and the reading experience smooth.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not flood the book with sound. If everything has a cue, nothing stands out. Do not rely on auto-play or hidden triggers. They do not pass accessibility checks and they frustrate readers. Avoid licensed commercial tracks unless you are certain the licence covers products for sale. When in doubt, make your own sounds or use reputable royalty-free libraries and keep a record of sources.
How this fits your wider publishing plan
Think about the whole picture. In self-publishing in Canada, your plan might look like this:
Print for primary sales, community events, and reviews.
Standard EPUB for wide distribution, including libraries.
Enhanced EPUB as a bonus edition for fans and classrooms.
Website hub for audio samples and extras, linked with tasteful QR codes in the print edition.
You do not need to launch all at once. Ship the base. Add the extras when ready. If you want to explore the creative side of audio in more depth, read my posts on hybrid books and cost-effective audio strategies. And again, if you want to hear the full conversation, watch the episode with Matty on YouTube.
Thanks again to ALLi and Matty Dalrymple
Matty hosts a thoughtful show, and I am grateful for the chance to share what works for real projects. If you found this helpful, listen to the full episode and let me know what you try next.
Ready to bring audio into your next eBook?
Start with the essentials, then add the right touches. If you want help scoping enhancements, building a clean EPUB, and testing across devices, Foglio can help.
If you’re ready to bring your manuscript to market, explore our self-publishing services or book a consultation today.
