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.
