First there was print.
Then there was digital E-Readers.
Now 2013 seems to be the breakout year for the audiobook. The popularity of MP3 players has turned this
form of literature into a new venue for writers to get their voice heard. Audiobooks are the fastest growing segment of
the publishing industry. There was a
time when people would buy CD books and listen to them on long road trips. Now, the iPod has turned this entire industry
into a launching pad for a new stream of books to be heard. People are tuning in to digital downloads
while jogging, driving to work, or doing chores around the house.
Surprisingly I'm hearing from readers who've already read my
first Nick Bracco thriller that they downloaded the very same book in the audio
version because they wanted to hear it instead of reading it. Almost as if they've read the book and now
they want to see the movie. Maybe the
accent of the narrator, or the phrasing of certain words can make the experience
seem like a completely new book. Like
seeing the same play twice and noticing a different cadence to the dialogue the
second time. Maybe it was more
sardonic. Maybe more humorous. Either way, there's a new trend happening out
there and there's no denying it will grow stronger. Critics argue that listening to a narrated
book isn't the same as reading, but I say listening to a narrated book is
better than most activities that don't include listening to the written/spoken
word. After all, back in the day, that's
how most fiction got its start. The
spoken word. So it's come full circle
and I couldn't be more excited about it.
Audiophiles rejoice.
Listen to the new Imagine Dragons record on your iPod, then switch over
and have a good narrator turn your mind into a movie theatre and watch the
movie inside your brain.
If you're a writer and interested in knowing what a professional narrator can do with you words, just listen to what R.C. Bray did with my first book, A Touch of Deceit:
Great post, Gary. Very informative, and I think you're right. I've think you've come across a trend before most have.
ReplyDeleteDid you just pay someone to read and record your book into an audio file, or how does that work?
Stan, I was approached by Podium Publishing and agreed to a contract with them. They paid for the production and everything up front, so they get the bulk of the profit on the first 1000 downloads, but after that I get a pretty fair percentage. This is sort of like signing away your rights for a movie. Once the deal is done they can hire whoever they want to narrate and do it however they feel. Fortunately, they hired one of the best in the industry, R.C. Bray, so I'm very happy with the results.
ReplyDeleteGotcha, Gary. Thanks for explaining all that. I think I'll wait until I'm as popular as you and let someone else front the cost in a similar arrangement. : )
ReplyDeleteHello Gary,
ReplyDeleteAlready a huge fan of your work, I was initially a little sceptical about how the audio version of 'A Touch of Deceit' would come across. Well, there was no need to be concerned as R.C.Bray did justice to your great book.
Congratulations, Gary!
Thank you Ross. Yes, R.C. is a perfect narrator for thrillers. I'm fortunate to have him working on the series.
ReplyDelete