I have been late getting to the audiobook party, largely because I don't listen to books. I don't have the attention span. Listening often puts me to sleep, especially when trying to listen for extended periods of time.
I've tried listening to audiobooks in the past - books that I loved and have read more than once. I couldn't make it through to the end. In fact, an hour was pushing it. The eyes droop, the brain disengages, and it becomes a voice saying "something, somewhere." Recently, my son recommended a podcast to me. It generally runs 40 minutes or less, and I've made it through those fairly well without falling asleep, but they're also smaller chunks.
With all that being said, many people I've spoken to like audiobooks. They pop them in when they're traveling, or listen while they're doing something else. Multitasking. I've asked the question before - if my readers listen - and have gotten mixed replies. Am I a dinosaur for resisting? For not expanding into a market? For not serving those listener readers?
While I have this "bonus time" at home, I'm considering this option more seriously. My husband thinks I should record them myself, a massive undertaking, but something worth pursuing should I flip that switch to full-time author.
Which of my books do you wish was on audio to listen to?
I'm afraid I'm too much like you, Karla. My mind wanders; a word or phrase will send me off in another direction. I have 14 of my books out in audio, and having to listen to the book to make sure there are no errors is something I can do only in short chunks. There are visual people and auditory people, and I'm wired for the first. I would suggest starting with book 1 in any of your series, and good luck if you try it yourself. I can't even read my own stuff fluently for more than a few paragraphs. And I can't imagine anyone wanting to spend 8-10 hours listening to my untrained voice.
ReplyDeleteA whole new process to learn and understand. We'll have to see how it goes!
DeletePeople are kind enough to say I read well, but you wouldn't think so if you heard the unedited recordings... If you can speak a sentence without making a mistake, you can piece the book together out of the good parts of the recording. The first full-length novel I recorded as an audiobook took about nine months, but I've managed to get it down to about three months. (This is working on it an hour or two a day, and not every day.)
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you have any questions about picking the right hardware or software, or how to use it.
Apparently I'm to be anonymous, even though I entered my name. Let's see if this one shows up as me.
DeleteGood information, Steve. Thanks. I had joked with Terry that I should ask you to read for me, knowing you'd been through the process. As I delve further into my options, I may be reaching out to you. I have picked an artist to read for me should I decide to plunge in (and not read it myself!). Baby steps.
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