No doubt about it. Audio books are growing in popularity. The Wall Street Journal calls the popularity an “explosion.” An article in The Telegraph in 2015 said: “Sales of audio books have doubled in the last five years, thanks to the popularity of digital downloads.” In fact, according to the American Publishers Association, audio books saw a 19.5 percent rise in unit sales over just the past year alone (The National).
What has caused such a dramatic interest in audio books?
For me, it’s been a number of factors. First, I have an iphone which allows me to carry an audio book everywhere I go. Listening to a book is only one touch of the button away. So when I’m exercising, driving kids to activities, cooking a meal, or any number of other tasks, I always have an audio book that I can easily flip on to make the mundane more meaningful!
Secondly, the cost of audio books has become more reasonable, especially with a monthly plan through Audible.com. I also get Audible’s Daily Deal emails, where a new book is put on sale every day usually for $5.99 or less. Sometimes Amazon even has the option of buying ebooks and digital books together for a bargain. There are also sites like Loyal Books which contain free public domain books, mostly classics, and Project Gutenberg which also has free audio books for many classics.
Finally, the ease of listening on my digital devices has saved me from having to track down books on CD from the library (among the very limited selection) only to get home and find out that half of the CD’s are scratched. The other trouble is finding a CD player in my house that actually works.
Yes, audio books have become my comfort food. I’d even go as far as saying that they are fast becoming the NEW READING EXPERIENCE.
Because of how much I’ve grown to love digital audio books, I’ve become more aware of the need to get my own published books into an audio format. As I mentioned in my post earlier in the month, one of the things I’ve been working on recently is doing exactly that, publishing the audio version of some of my books that were previously not picked up by audio companies.
The first step was getting the audio rights back from my publisher. This process took some time and involved signing a contract reverting the audio rights back to me. But once I had the rights, then I was free to essentially “self-publish” my audio book. (As a side note, I also had to get permission to use the cover from my publisher as well as purchase it from them.)
Once I was ready to start, I used ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) which allows authors to partner with narrators in a fairly simple process. First the author must open an account and start the project by giving information about the book as well as a sample chapter. Then authors can start accepting auditions from interested narrators. ACX has quite a large pool of narrators to choose from. But rather than wait for the right narrator to come along, I sought out recommendations.
Once I found a narrator (who came highly recommended) and listened to her audition of my book, we signed a contract stating due dates, cost, etc. I had to provide her with a digital copy of the book (and as a bonus I also gifted her a paper copy). Then she set to work recording the book.
After she was finished with her part (which took about a month), then I was responsible for proofing the book to catch any mistakes, mispronunciations, etc. Upon finishing the proofing, I gave my narrator an editorial sheet and she made the corrections.
When I was fully satisfied, I paid her (there are a couple of options to work out the payment to the narrator). After receiving my payment, she released the book for publication. It took the ACX team about a week to approve it and get it up onto Audible, ITunes, and Amazon.
There you have it! Now A Noble Groom is available as an audio book!
To celebrate its release in audio format, I’ve been giving away Audible copies this week! I’d like to give away one more here today! To enter to win a digital download of A Noble Groom through Audible, enter the Rafflecopter form below!
And if you don’t have an Audible membership yet, I invite you to check out their 30 Day Trial Membership and try A Noble Groom for FREE!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Do you listen to audio books? If yes, what do you like best about them? And if no, tell us your biggest hang-up with them! We’d love to hear!
Jody Hedlund
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I love listening to Audiobooks! I’ve gotten several classics done through listening, but my favorite audiobook so far has to be “As You Wish” by Cary Elwes. It was so sweet and so funny!
Callie
I don’t listen to audiobooks because my mind wanders too much. I used to listen to a podcast while I did housework & I found myself backing up & listening to segments over again because my mind had wandered & then tuned back in at the end of a topic I was interested in.
Hi Jody, I love audio books and enjoy Audible. I have an iPad set up in my kitchen and listen while I cook and cleanup. Listening to books is a whole new experience. This is so interesting that you were able to get your audio rights back and use ACX to create your own audio books. Great idea!I shared this on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Blessings, Carrie
I love reading on tne go.
I love audio books, but it is a new love for me. I am the kind of person who loves having a book in my hands, but I realized that with audio books I can read all the time! Which makes me really, really happy. My favorite so far is I Must Say, written and narrated by Martin Short. He had be laughing the whole time.
I’ve been a pusher of audio books for decades now. I first discovered them in the early 1990s. Seeing my own books in audio form (via my all time favorite Recorded Books Inc.) was in some ways a bigger dream come true than actually being published! But just like I prefer print books over digital (I don’t own a reading device) I prefer CDs over Audible.
John McDonnough’s reading of Jan Karon’s Mitford series ranks near the top of my favorite audio book narrations. Jim Dale reading Harry Potter. Steven Crossley reading To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. The group narration of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society…. all excellent.
I don’t listen to a whole bunch of audio books but I always enjoy when I do. My favorites are often the ones where the narrator puts emotion into his/her reading instead of just reading the script. Even if the story is wonderful and I enjoyed the book, I might not enjoy the audio as much just for that reason.
I loved reading about your experience in creating your own audio version, Jody! So interesting. For the past several years, I went through audio books like butter, listening while I exercised or sorted laundry or on long car trips. They are fabulous, especially if the narrator is good. Over the last year, my interest has waned somewhat. Now I watch Netflix or other shows while I exercise and just listen to music while doing chores. I wouldn’t be surprised to have the bug catch me again, though. I still have several audiobooks in my library that I haven’t listened to yet, and I have a long car trip coming up next month, so I imagine they’ll be making a comeback soon. 🙂
I first tried audio books in college. I was a huge reader and I was about to go on a road trip so I thought, “Great! I’ll listen to a book.” In those days, audio books cost a bundle and came recorded onto cassettes. I didn’t enjoy the book at all. It was ‘abridged’ and it read more like a summary of a good book than a good book. Everything I loved about reading was lost. I never once felt like I was ‘living’ the story.
Fast forward to a year and a half ago. I’m in my car A LOT every day — taking my kids to and from school, waiting in car pool lines, driving them to activities. I was preparing to write a novel about Gray Fowler, the hero of Her One and Only. He’s an NFL player and one of my favorite ways to research is to read books written by people who have the same profession as my character. So I signed up for the free trial of Audible, downloaded a memoir by an NFL player onto my phone, and congratulated myself for making productive use of my time behind the wheel.
I’m now a HUGE fan of audio books! I listen to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction. I love, love, love audio books.
My only frustration is that my favorite genre — romance — doesn’t always translate well in audio format. If a male narrator reads the sections written in the hero’s POV, then yes. Much of what I adore about romance remains intact. But when a female reads the whole book some of the sigh-worthy elements are lost for me.
Congrats on having A Noble Groom made into an audio book, Jody! Best wishes with it, friend.
I love audiobooks! I grew up listening to them on family vacations, and then during my commute to college (since that was about the only time I had for reading). Now I go through a lot because I work an office job with a lot of spreadsheets and numbers, and audiobooks help distract the right side of my brain so the left side can concentrate.
I switched to mostly digital audiobooks when my local library no longer did interlibrary loans of audiobooks. At that time, driving all over the place trying to track down a CD copy of an audiobook became more expensive than simply buying the Audible version that I could listen to over and over again.
I also went through ACX to produce an audiobook version of my book. I also had a really good experience with it. I’m glad to see more Christian authors doing this. While Audible has a lot of selection, the Christian section is still very small. I’d like to see it grow. 🙂
I love audio books! They allow me the ability to craft, color, cook, drive and more…and still accomplish some “reading”. The key to a good audio book for me is the narrator…I am pretty picky about the type of voice I like to listen too.
Congrats of putting ‘Noble Groom’ in audio form.
When I was doing a lot of commuting for my job, I loved having audio books. Now I am not traveling so much and having the kids around makes for quite a bit of noise so I’m not listening to audio books so much. The narrator makes a huge difference as well. I recently listened to a book where I disliked the narrator’s voice and I couldn’t get past the first chapter because of it.
Thanks for the news and the giveaway!
I love the audiobook format! I can read while working out, working around the house, or traveling.
I don’t often listen, but enjoy them when I do! 🙂
I love audiobooks! Have listened to them while knitting, for years!!
I love audible books. I have macular degeneration and sometimes need a shot in my eye. Afterwards I am unable to see much for a day. Have an audibles book to listen to has been a life saver for me.
I like to listen to them in the car when I’m not in the mood for music.
I’ve tried audio books and I’ve found it hard to concentrate on what is being said while I’m listening. I find my mind wandering. I tried one while crocheting and thought I could “kill two birds with one stone” and combine my two favorite things, but I would have to back track.
It’s easier for me to look at the words and understand better what is going on.
Yes, do listen to audiobooks. Stems from the hours and hours my dad read aloud to us by lantern/lamplight back in the late 90’s. Even after we became teenagers we had dad continue reading to us. Anyway, I do enjoy audiobooks but don’t have very many mainly due to cost. I do check them out sometimes on cassette and CD from the library. Congrats on the new format release!
Blessings!
Jasmine
I have been using more audiobooks in the past 3 years because my husband and I have been on long road trips quite a bit. It is wonderful to share these fiction book adventures together and also to learn from the non-fiction audiobooks that my husband likes a lot. We take turns in choosing these books, but I try to find books that I feel would be more pleasing to him than others of the same genre.
I also have enjoyed listening to audiobooks when out walking for a half hour or more.
Audio books are great! When I am able to work, they take me there and back with relative ease and a more patient commute, even when running errands. The convenience of having something on my phone gives many opportunities to listen – and when I find my earbuds, will have even more! The only drawback I find is the higher price – an audible.com membership is currently out of my budget, but I do enjoy some of their daily specials. Maybe one day there will be some specials on Christian fiction, and I will be able to be back to work and get the membership. As I do love audiobooks!
I have listened to a couple of them. Sometimes my mind wanders so I’m not listening very well and it’s harder to rewind than to find your place in a book when you loose you concentration. But I have listen to some children’s books with the grandkids (The Hundred Cupboards) and enjoyed them with the kids. I have read the Noble Groom but would love to listen to it.
I pretty much only listen to audio books in the car. Every place else, I’m reading. Can’t do both those at the same time yet.
I usually only listen to radio theater where the books are acted out, not read, since my mind tends to wander. But I am thinking about giving more audiobooks a try. We’ll see what happens. 🙂
Such a great give away. I’ve recently started listening to audio books again. I agree that it is much more convenient than tapes or cd’s were. While I do enjoy it, I sometimes feel like the narrator is too slow! I’m just a bit impatient. My usual listening places are the kitchen and any waiting room.
I would love to listen to A Noble Groom.
Yes! I like listening to books while I am cleaning!
I don’t listen to audio books. I’m afraid I wouldn’t pay attention or I would fall asleep. Plus, I just love reading
I have been listening to audio books for about 3 years now. I listen to them while I work. I go through at least 2 every week sometimes more. To me it’s like watching a movie except the picture is in my imagination. A random stranger suggested I try them after we spoke about my job and how I kinda got bored of listening to music all the time. It’s great to hear that audiobooks are gaining popularity. I do still come home after work and read on my kindle lol
Love audiobooks! My eyesight is getting worse as I get older but I LOVE my books and don’t want to give them up! Plus you can listen while doing other things like a lot of housework, driving, and exercising!
I love audiobooks. I started listening to them when we moved to an area where we had more driving time than we were used to get to places. I don’t enjoy time in the car, and audiobooks made the time fly by. Now I also listen to them while dressing and fixing my hair, exercising, dusting, sometimes cooking. I like several things about them: I can get through many more books this way; they enliven times when I am busy with my hands but my mind is free to think of other things; I don’t usually think in accents when reading, and hearing a story in the accent in which it is written enhances my enjoyment of it; a narrator’s inflections, phrasing, and variety of voices also enhance the book experience; I especially like them for long classics in which it’s easy sometimes to get a little lost in the excess (to modern ears) descriptiveness. I don’t mind that so much when listening (I guess because I usually listen while accomplishing other things), but when reading I am tempted to skim ahead to the next interesting place. Plus some of those classics I tend to put off because I don’t want them to monopolize my reading time, but listening is a painless way to add them. I use Audible as well and like that they have buttons to bookmark a favorite spot as well as to jump back 30 seconds if I didn’t quite get something . For the classics esocially, it’s easy to find an accompanying e-book version for free or just a few dollars. Audible and Amazon have a “Whispersync” program where you can pick up in the ebook where you left off in the audiobook and vice verse.
A couple of my favorite narrators are John McDonough of Jan Karon’s Mitford books and Katherine Kellgren of The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series by Maryrose Wood.