MishaI’m incredibly grateful for audiobooks. If you have ever had a boring drive, you know what I mean. What was once a long haul to your uncle’s house in Nowheresville is now an enchanting adventure through a story. Audiobooks have increased my tolerance for time-wasters like commutes, housework, exercise, and errands. When you read a physical book, you have to set aside time for that, which still has its charm… just maybe not as much as it used to.
I can blow through audiobooks like they’re going out of style. Which they aren’t. Pretty sure they’re here to stay, which is something that we authors need to consider. Do you guys know how many millennials have asked me when my audiobook is coming out? They want to read my book, but they don’t want to read-read my book.
One of my tasks, therefore, is getting my book into audio. Your publisher may have a division for that. I personally have been working out how to do it myself. I’ve asked voice professionals to give me quotes (that’s as far as I’ve gotten). Some friends have suggested I record my own book, which appeals to me only on a monetary level. Compare my voice talent to a real actor and the difference is vast. Just listen to Kasie West’s book, The Difference Between Us. It’s a fine story, but the actress who reads it makes it hilarious and magical.
My journey through audio started with Audible, Amazon’s audiobook store. I’ve since let it go because it’s pricey. I’d be willing to pay for it if it were easier to find books I like in their system. But Amazon places its own “editors’ picks” in your face and none of it appeals to me. Who are these editors? Why are they all dark, depressed people?
For a few months I was subscribing to Scribd, an audiobook app that also gives you unlimited books for a monthly fee. It was okay, but I was having the same issue I had with Audible. They don’t carry quite what appeals to me and their system recommends books I don’t like.
I’m having a lot of luck with Hoopla, the app my library uses to make audiobooks available. Instead of paying monthly for a single book, you get a handful of borrows for free. They offer a lot of clean and conservative reads and I can usually find something I like. I’m not opposed to paying for a service, but this one just works better at finding books I want to listen to.
I know there are a several more resources for audiobooks out there. A quick Google search confirms it. Which ones are you using and why?
Tracy Popolizio
Sharon Rene
You’ve inspired me to check into audio books and Hoopla. I’ve been using Overdrive to “check out” digital/kindle books (free) through a library system. Thanks for all the tips! I agree, more people are “reading” with earbuds.
Gretchen
I use Chirp (chirpbooks.com). You purchase audiobooks online and then download them to Chirp’s corresponding app on your phone. The only thing you pay is for the audiobook you purchase. To browse their website is free, and their app is free. Chirp has all sorts of categories in both non-fiction and fiction reads, including Christian/inspirational. You’ll also find middle grade and young adult. What I love about Chirp is that they offer new sales (EXCELLENT sales) each week, that are usually available for a month at a time. So while I receive a daily email from them, I’ll only check out their website once a week or so, and browse through their titles in my preferred genres. Sometimes I don’t see anything I like; other times, I’ve loaded my “cart” with three or four titles on sale. 🙂 Chirp is what increased my likeness for audiobooks. One thing I would do before purchasing any title, however, is to listen to the sample. One book sounded fascinating and I was looking forward to listening to it. I downloaded it without giving a listen, and I regretted it immediately. The narrator was horrible, and that’s no exaggeration. Slow, monotone, boring, I couldn’t believe it. Now I listen to a sample before buying anything. 😛