Is August really half over? I was stunned when I saw that kids are already back in school. Where did the summer go? I’ve been having a lot of fun attending Dan’s music gigs. For those that don’t know, my husband plays bass in a rock band. Cut Loose has been playing a lot of outdoor festivals this summer, and I love outdoor festivals!
I’ve also been working on my next book, attending my writers group, doing editing work, and I’m always learning more about writing and everything that goes along with it. There’s an endless amount of things to learn.
Today I attended an excellent webinar by Derek Doepker of AudiobooksMadeEasy.com. Derek is an author and expert in producing audiobooks. Derek provided a ton of great information in this free webinar, but it left me wondering, should I make an audio version of Confessions of a Middle-Aged Runaway?
Creating an audiobook requires either a substantial financial investment if I hire a narrator, or else a substantial time (and possibly frustration) investment if I narrate and produce it myself. There’s a steep learning curve.
I Need Your Help
This is where you come in—I hope. It would really help me in the decision-making process if you could answer this question:
Would you or possibly someone you know be interested in an audio version of my book?
If you could respond by leaving a comment below or, if you don’t like leaving comments, emailing me at heidileliason@gmail.com, I would appreciate it soooo much. Thanks in advance for your help!
Heidi Eliason 
I prefer to read audio books because I can read books when I am driving, exercising, and doing yard work and housework. I get a lot more books read this way. I have already read your book but I do know other people who might be more inclined to read your book if it were published as an audiobook.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also like audiobooks because they allow me to read more. I usually listen while I’m walking Bodie. I still read physical books, usually before I go to sleep, but I can only seem to read a few pages before I fall asleep. Thanks for the comment!
LikeLike
My generation read books, but many in the current ranks don’t. Almost everyone pleads ‘no time’ but spend hours in their morning and afternoon commutes. I believe Audiobooks are where the publishing industry lean hard toward.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the comment, Mike. I agree, the numbers seem to suggest that the audiobook market is growing fast. I know many of my friends listen to audiobooks, and I spend more time listening to audiobooks than reading a printed book. I do still love printed books, but I can’t seem to read them as quickly.
LikeLike
I just attended the same webinar by Derek, and am asking myself the exact same question for my book: “Trip Tales: From Family Camping to Life as a Ranger”. Heidi was my editor for the book and she did an outstanding job helping me to think through how to organize the flow 🙂
A podcaster I’ve come to know is helping me to develop my audiobook. He and his wife are doing this for the first time, using the podcasting studio, and she seems to be a natural with her beautiful voice. They really love the book and want to see it published as an audiobook. My daughter and all her friends ONLY read audio books. This seems to be a thing with younger readers, who are often just too busy or exhausted to read a book any other way. I can understand this. The biggest issue with developing an audiobook is the cost of hiring someone to narrate and do the technical work. There is also the issue of the time and expertise it takes to complete this task, but I believe it will be worth it in the long run, capturing readers I would otherwise miss.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rose, thanks for sharing your thoughts on audiobooks. It’s great you’ve found a narrator that you want to work with. I’m considering narrating my memoir myself, but don’t know if I have the voice talent. It’s intimidating to think of taking on a big project like that.
LikeLike