Monday, August 28, 2017

Audio Books are on the Rise - Are You Riding the Wave?

I am at The Insecure Writer’s Support Group today with book formatting tips.

Five-six years ago, the only book format plunging faster than audio books was the mass-market paperback.

Now, thanks to downloadable mp3s and the rise of people listening with their cell phones, audio books have made a big comeback.

While some continue to produce CDs, most publishers and authors have migrated to downloadable content. With companies such as ACX, it no longer costs a fortune to produce an audio book.

Over a year ago, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. began converting its top titles to audio. There are now eleven books/collections available:

Our latest -  He Gave Me Barn Cats
By Maria Santomasso-Hyde

The Remnant
By William Michael Davidson

Under a Purple Moon
By Beverly Stowe McClure


Dragon of the Stars
By Alex J. Cavanaugh

Tornado Warning
By Tamara Hart Heiner

Mâtowak: Woman Who Cries
By Joylene Nowell Butler

Bloodwalker
By L.X. Cain

CassaStar
By Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaFire
By Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaStorm
By Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaSeries
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
Boxed Set





Are you listening to audio books? Are your books available on audio?

36 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I know so many people that listen to audio books! I'm not one of them...I'm just more of a skimmer frequently, especially in slower narrative. But audio books are definitely consistent sellers.

Pat Hatt said...

I find them great at times, but other times I'd rather read. Depends on mood I guess. As for doing them, nope. My peasantalities can't afford that lol

Jemi Fraser said...

I always encourage my students at school to try audio books.
My brain is too bouncy and I always lose the thread of the story when I try - but they are loved by so many people! :)

Bish Denham said...

Exciting times! Congratulations you DLP and the authors on moving into audio books.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Elizabeth, they do sell consistently and it's a nice bonus to print and ebook sales. We listened more when we took long road trips.

Pat, the royalty split at ACX makes it very affordable.

Chrys Fey said...

My publisher just started doing them. I had to fill out a "form," and now I'm waiting to see if my series will get pucked up. But a ton of the other authors did, too, so my request is no doubt buried.

nashvillecats2 said...

Alas Diane I don't possess an audio book. seems I'm missing out.

Yvonne.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I don't listen to audio books but my sister who has concussion syndrome does. She has trouble focusing her eyes to read which was something she's always loved. Audio books have been a blessing to her.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I want to record my book for audio (I want it in my voice) - someday, maybe. I'm not taking advantage of this audio book thing, though. I'm too tech challenged. But your work with Lemur is impressive, cutting edge. That's awesome.

Sandra Cox said...

My sister barely picks up a book anymore. It's all audio.

SpacerGuy said...

These are mazing audio books but at least with novel version, one can pause, reflect about the face seen earlier on the ship. Could he be a stowaway?

klahanie said...

Hi human, Diane,

Pawesome selection here. Audio books can be wonderful for the visually impaired.

I shall take the liberty of sharing your pawst, my nice human friend.

Pawsitive wishes,

Penny :)

Liz A. said...

Audio books are great for all sorts of things. I'm not an afficianado, but I prefer silence most of the time anyway.

Ann Bennett said...

I need to download a few audible books for my sister. Before she had a stroke, she was a huge reader. Now to get her to pick a few titles.

Mason Canyon said...

While I'm still a huge fan of print books, I do love audio books. They are just a wonderful way to be able to read when you're on the go. They are also a great way for people to continue to read that are having difficulty with their eye sight or holding a book anymore.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Chrys I hope they pick yours for audio.

Robyn, you just need to find someone with a studio.

Thank you, Penny.

Ann, that's a great idea.

Michelle Wallace said...

Congrats on DLP's continuing success!

I haven't listened to an audio book... yet. One of these days...
Having said that, I have to add that I'm still a paperback/hardcopy girl!

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

Two of my books are on audio, but they don't sell very well.

Personally, I'd rather read a book than listen to it. My son loves audiobooks, though.

The Cynical Sailor said...

I've listened to a few audio books while working on sewing projects and enjoyed them. It's not the same as reading, but it's a good way to work through the backlog of books I want to "read" by listening to them while doing other things.

Christine Rains said...

I read too fast to enjoy audio books, but they are definitely on the rise. I should see to getting my books on audio soon!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Only one of my books is an audiobook and that's the first one. Books in Motion was the publisher. Since then, I've not followed up. I think it's because I don't listen to audiobooks--they tend to put me to sleep--so I keep putting the project on a back burner.

dolorah said...

I do like audio books. I spend a lot of time traveling by car, and would never get any reading done without audio books. Not all audio books are created equal, lol.

I find audio books expensive. Not really for the publication; but cuz if I want to also have the paper/ebook to browse later, I have to buy the book twice. And Audible or CD books are twice as much as paper/ebooks.

"reading" has taken on a whole new phase of complicated. If you collect books, that is.

Sandra Cox said...

I just read your formatting tips. That was VERY helpful. Thanks, Di. I didn't realize that extra space could throw you into a blank page.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

That's it. Keep me on my toes. I keep saying we should all give all our readers the ability to read our books in whatever form they want to!

Loni Townsend said...

Audiobooks are the way to go for me. It definitely makes it easier to get into book with two young kids around.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane - yes they seem to b the thing going on at the moment and I'd like to be riding the wave - so thanks for the updates and info ... cheers Hilary

Gina Gao said...

Audiobooks are fun for me when I'm travelling and I can't bring all the books that I want.


www.ficklemillennial.com

Unknown said...

Thank you for selecting my book (HE GAVE ME BARN CATS) to become an audio book. I'm honored, and I can't wait to hear hear The Voice reading all of the various narrative voices of my book! Should be fun!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Christine, it's a great source of extra income.

Dolorah, you can usually get a good deal on Amazon of an audio-print combination purchase.

Sandra, yes it can.

Maria, delighted to have yours on audio!

Arlee Bird said...

I prefer to read a book, but for me the audio-books are great for long driving trips. However, it's been years since I've bought or listened to any audio-books--last time was when they were still on cassettes which should give you an idea.

I should probably go back to listening to recorded books when I travel, but Sirius radio keeps me pretty occupied on my trips.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

DMS said...

Creating an audio book of my first book is currently on my list of things to do. This post came at the perfect time! I love audio books- though I usually listen to them on CD. I think it is wonderful that thy are on the rise. :)
~Jess

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I find audio books great, though I haven't listened to many. They save the strain on my eyes from reading.

Nick Wilford said...

I'm yet to get on board with them, but I'm all for anything that helps people access books more easily.

Sandra Cox said...

I've got to get started on my meme!

Sandra Cox said...

Looks like the babies have plenty of toys:)
How do you think audio sales do VS E? Or is it too early to tell?

Sandra Cox said...

I've got to get working on my IWSG meme!
Hope your day has been pleasant and productive.