Now they're what? $39? 50 dollars? Since I flew so much and always had 3 or four books packed into my luggage, adding to the cost per pound of air travel, I figured the investment was worth the convenience. And it was. I lovelovelove my Kindle, still, to this day. Ereaders are still, apparently, popular even though real honest-to-God-books are making a comeback.
But...
I was recently exposed to the world of audiobooks and I have to tell you, I think the future in books is in this rapidly growing industry.
Have you heard of AUDIBLE?
I never had until one of my publishers, The Wild Rose Press notified its authors they were offering us the option to have our books uploaded to audio. At first I resisted. After all, I wrote books. Book were made to be, well, read. Not listened to. And besides, I arrogantly asserted that no narrator but myself could do my words justice. I wrote them. I was the one who knew how they should sound, not some anonymous narrator who wouldn't do the work any justice.
Arrogant, thy name is Peggy.
Then, one day, I met a woman who changed my opinion forever. A patient of my husband's, the woman was sixty-eight, housebound for the most part, and blind since birth. She knew I was a writer and asked if any of my books were available on audio tape. She was a great "reader" of books in Braille, but she'd been afflicted in the past few years with debilitating arthritis and could no longer use her fingers to read. Her daughter had gotten her a subscription to Audible and now she could enjoy her favorite author's again by listening to their newest books.
It's not often I am struck speechless. I think I can count of the fingers of one hand and still have 4 left over the times I have been. So, I did what I usually do when I'm exposed to something I'm unfamiliar with: I researched.
According to a report issued by the Audio Book Publishers Association, audio sales jumped 22.7 % in 2017 to just under $2.5 billion in sales. Another published in AP, states that book publishers are embracing the format more and more. Then I spoke to several of my author friends. Unanimously they agreed that offering your books in audio was a great way to get your books in front of people who couldn't read in a conventional way.
So...
I have now begun offering my titles on audio. Next month I'll explain the process, but for now, I'm thrilled to announce the following titles are currently available on Audible.
Next month for me: what goes into getting your book available in Audio. Until then, don't forget the March Romance Gems giveaways:
There are three different ways you can win. See all the prizes on the Monthly Giveaway page. GOOD LUCK!
Comment & Win:
Leave a comment on any post in March + Your Email Address—written out, i.e. Mary at yahoo dot com. (We need your email to verify you are who you say you are and to contact you.)
The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning. Winner selected by random draw from eligible entries.
Prizes: $5.00 Amazon Gift Card at the end of each week beginning March 8 for a total of 4 Amazon Gift Cards.
Friends Tell Friends:
To enter, send your friends to visit us. When your friend visits and reads a post, she should (1) leave a comment with her email address written out (2) leave the name and email of the friend who referred her. (Readers, coordinate this with your friend.)
Both names/emails will be entered in Friends Tell Friends Giveaway. The more friends you bring; the greater your chances of winning. Winner selected by random draw from eligible entries at end of March.
Prizes: Romance Readers Tee & Audiobook by Nancy Fraser
Luck O' The Irish Rafflecopter:
1st Grand Prize Winner
The Honor of Naming a Female Character in an Author's upcoming Book plus $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.
2nd Grand Prize Winner
The Honor of Naming a Male Character in an Author's upcoming Book plus $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.
Enter the Rafflecopter and the other Giveaways often. The more you enter; the better your chances to win.
HI Peggy, I remember when people thought ebooks would go nowhere. I confess I'm not Audio yet. Only because I'm a more visual person. Give me a choice between read or listen to a lecture, I'd want to read it. But that doesn't mean I can't do both! Am anxious for your next month's post already!! Love your story about how you changed your mind about audio books.
ReplyDeleteNora - it amazed me I could change ANTYHING including my mind at this age, but....she made a good point to me. Then I thought of my mother who was practically blind before cataract surgery. She loved to read and couldn't because she couldn't see. (NOw she can again) but because she's computer NO SAVVVY and doesn't have a computer. audible wasn't on her radar. It's amazing how times change.
DeleteThis is a great post, Peggy! And something I'm very interested in. As Nora said...I'm anxious for next month since I'm not on Audible either. Having read some of your books, and knowing you, I find I MUST now "hear" one of them. Maybe your words should accompany me on my next road trip adventure? That sounds super-fun! :D
ReplyDeleteKathy--- hahaha. I wish I could tell you I narrated my books ( because I want to sososos badly) but WRP won't allow you to unless your are a member of some acting/narrating organization. It truly would be best if as an author we could read out books to people, but....maybe some day.
DeleteI loved Audio when I spent over an hour a day in the car. I don't listen to them anymore, but I think they are an extremely valuable medium for reading. A great, informative post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. A few of my inlaws travel via car to NYC every year from parts all over and they routinely listen to 2-3 books on their travels. Great time passer, for sure.
DeleteI love all three! I love to hold a book in my hand. I was stubborn with e-books but oh they so easy now. I now read many that way. And audio--oh a special place in my heart for them. I get them from the library and I LOVE LOVE LOVE audio books in the car on my drives here and there. Love. But just like written books, I can be picky with the narrator, but there are so many talented voice artists out there and I've enjoyed them immensely.
ReplyDeleteJean, next month I talk about the narration process, the good, the bad, the ...horrible!!!
DeletePeggy, speaking of "horrible" remind me I have a great story to tell you!
DeleteNancy - I'll hold you to that!
DeletePeggy, I have hundreds of REAL books on my bookshelves and hundreds of ebooks on my Kindle app on my iPad. Prime membership even gives me some ebooks free! My husband is constantly "reading" and by that he means listening to Audible. He rides the exercise bike to a book. When we travel, we listen to a book and it makes the time go by faster. It's great to have options.
ReplyDeleteOPtions are everything!!!!
ReplyDeleteI will admit to a love affair with my Kindle Paperwhite. This one particularly because you can't go on the internet with it ( except to buy books). And I have over 600 books with me at all times. So if I happen to finish the book I am reading, I can select a new one to start. And I don't have to find room for that many books in my purse.
ReplyDeleteAs for Audio books, I've never had a chance to use them. When I was working, my commute was seven minutes, tops. I've also listened to a few samples and didn't like the pacing of the narrators. But if you had a great narrator, and lots of time where you couldn't be doing anything else - then I might try one.
You know, Kari- with all the driving you've been doing ( or you husband has beendoing!) I'm surprised you didn't listen to book, either together or while he drove. My inlaws do that when they drive to NYC from Virginia every year and they love it. Makes the time go fast, plus they get to listen to books they both like at the same time.
DeleteThere are NO books we both like!! LOL! Plus he's been driving the RV and I drive my car. Keeps us from killing each other with how in each other's pockets we've been. And we're both too cheap to buy audio books. Especially when I have hundreds of unread books at my disposal. Maybe in the future when we start doing the Snowbird drive from north to south and vice versa.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete???
DeleteI know a woman who listens when she cooks and does housework. She love her audio books, plus she can read on her phone and pick up exactly where she left off in her audiobook. the marvels! I’m definitely looking into audio books with Findaway Voices through Draft 2 Digital. Seems like an easy enough option.Unless it’s not!
ReplyDeleteBonnie - go for it!!!
DeleteI'm not into audiobooks yet, but I understand people who love them. I only "heard" a few audiobooks because they were free (the ebook version was paid), so I gave it a try. I'd fall asleep every time... and almost burned my phone battery.
ReplyDeleteAnd the way the woman said "LinkedIn" in a weird way 5x every 10 min (it was a motivational book) annoyed the hell out of me.
I have so, so many ebooks in my Kindle (over 2,000) that I don't even consider switching to another way of reading my books.
adissidente [at] gmail [dot] com
Iris, it's not for everyone, that's for sure. I've got a bundle of books on my kindle too plus about 100 print books on my bedside table!!!
DeleteI'm all for any medium that allows more fans more ways to enjoy our stories. Eagerly awaiting your next post.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, thanks. If there's anything you want to know beforehand about the process ...or...anything related, just tag me on the author loop!
DeleteI'm a newcomer to audio books. Somehow, I find it harder to concentrate on a narrative in that form--my mind wanders more. But they're super-popular with so many readers, so I'm exploring the possibility of recording my own. Thanks for a good post, Peggy!
ReplyDeleteSadira - for your wonderful, sexy books, you need to find a really sultry voiced narrator!!!! You will have no problems concentrating if you do. Hee hee
DeleteLike Peggy, I was swept up in The Wild Rose Press' audio book offer. I'm partial to male narrators. Listening to them narrating a steamy love scene is worth the price of the download all by itself.
ReplyDeleteNancy - I think I need to switch to male speakers after reading that!
DeleteWhen I was climbing the corporate ladder twenty years ago, I had a 90 minute commute each way. I listened to audiobooks every single day. I loved it because I could look out the window and be transported to another time and place (historical romance was my go-to genre back then). I got huge discounts from being in the book world and checked out as many as I could from my library.
ReplyDeleteNow that I work from home, I have a hard time focusing on audiobooks. I give it a go now and again but my go-to format for reading is e-book. I take my tablet everywhere, including the washroom and in the kitchen, and I'm always reading.
I'm fascinated by the world of audiobooks and can't wait to hear more about the process, Peggy!
Mrs N...I've heard from more people today who've told me how happy they are to listen to books on their work commutes. My daughter is huge podcast listener, and she's recently been bitten by the audio world as well! Gotta pass that time on the public commute each day.
DeleteI still prefer a tree book in hand. I find it hard to concentrate on an audio book.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Mary - totally understand. Like I said, it's not for everyone, but it's nice that people who can't hold a book or read the conventional way, have an option!
DeleteI love audible and use it all the time.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at hotmail dot com
Debby - good for you!!!! Obviously ( hahaha) you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteharperyn [at] outlook [dot] com writes:
ReplyDeleteI've been listening to audiobooks for years. It's the best when you have a super talented narrator! Here are my top 3 picks: Amanda Ronconi, Lorelei King, and Johanna Parker. I listen to audiobooks when I'm doing chores around the house or want to fall asleep. It's very effective!
Lavender - thanks for the recommendations on narrators!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing blog. This post is looking interesting. Thanks for sharing this with us read more
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I posted on SlingWords, my personal blog, an interview with the Director of a Library System who gave me statistics about the rapid growth of ebooks and audiobooks. Those stats were stunning. Thanks for shining a spotlight on them.
ReplyDeleteBtw, readers, on or before May 1, Romance Gems will have an Audio Book page added to our blog!