Thanks for this post. What do you think about getting a section of audio recorded as a means to get work out there / alternative to the slush pile? To bring it to life for people?
Mind you, pinning the guy from Lions TV down to read it is proving difficult...
Hi George! In all honesty, I don't think this is necessary - most publishers will read manuscripts on their Kindles in general, and the audio team are used to reading that way too (then the audio book is developed if we acquire). I wouldn't want to advise spending money on that though I do understand why it could seem like a good idea - I don't think it would be worth it currently. Hope that helps and thank you for reading!
This is such an interesting space, thanks for writing about it. Did you have to do anything to your book, to make it more suited to audio? I ask, as I did a little romance for straight-to-audio, and found that when I was reading aloud, some of my dialogue tags were annoying, in a way they don't feel to be in print. Taking them out changed the rhythm of my writing, and I found I had to alter other bits of punctuation, too, to help the reader get the words out (much less commas, way more full stops, and obliterated semi colons completely). I also found chapter breaks needed to give more orientation than I perhaps would on the page, and I deliberately wrote my chapter endings with a much more obvious dun-dun-duh tension (which feels hideous in print).
Anyway, interested to know! There're barely any guidelines I've found, to writing direct to audio (unless my Googling was just rubbish).
Hello! No, I didn't change anything on my books for audio! They were copy-edited etc after the editorial process and then the narrator read them in a studio. They are pretty used to reading in this way so shouldn't usually be a problem. Often the audio reads do throw up a few last typos that might have been missed, though!
Ohhh interesting. Do you think there’s an opportunity there, to develop different ways of writing specifically for audio, or do you think readers wouldn’t notice the difference? To my mind, they’re such different ways of consuming story, but I don’t know if neurally normal people think the same?
Great post, thanks Phoebe. Like another commenter, I do worry about the consequences of AI use, not just in terms of audio but across the industry. Storytelling is such a precious aspect of who we are as humans!
I'd love to get my debut novel into audio book format, but my publisher don't produce them, although they do occasionally manage to sell the rights on to someone who does. Not for mine yet though. It almost feels like a book doesn't exist, or has no presence, unless it's also in audio book format.
Oh love this! I’m a huge fan of audiobooks and that’s how I’m able to read so many books per year (50-120+) as I can listen to audio and potter around. Sometimes I listen and read along in print or on my Kindle too. 🙈😅🤣
I'm keen to see how the kids audiobook market evolves in light of smartphone free movement and a focus on analogue for middle-grade, pre-teen and potentially YA with the social media ban. This could see a decline in smart(er) phones for hugh schoolers, so could this see the return of the CD audiobook? I think the sprayed edges/Ltd edition books have highlighted a desire for ownership rather than access to something digitally, so maybe CDs could tie into this, too?
Interesting! In all honesty I don't know much about the kids market I am afraid, but your point around CDs is interesting - perhaps people will be more drawn to collectable items!
Very interesting, thank you Phoebe! I've started to see the occasional audio original/just-for-audio book, which is interesting. Like a lot of people, I prefer to listen to non-fiction, but read fiction with my eyes! Recent audio loves include Famesick (obvs), Strangers by Belle Burden, Careless People... and on the less blockbustery side, I adored Lauren Zonfrillo's heartbreaking Til Death Do Us Part x
Thank you for the recommendations! Strangers is definitely on my list for the next time I go on holiday. And yes, we are definitely seeing more audio original content - today Hinge announced a new project which sounds exciting!
Thanks for this post. What do you think about getting a section of audio recorded as a means to get work out there / alternative to the slush pile? To bring it to life for people?
Mind you, pinning the guy from Lions TV down to read it is proving difficult...
Hi George! In all honesty, I don't think this is necessary - most publishers will read manuscripts on their Kindles in general, and the audio team are used to reading that way too (then the audio book is developed if we acquire). I wouldn't want to advise spending money on that though I do understand why it could seem like a good idea - I don't think it would be worth it currently. Hope that helps and thank you for reading!
Thanks Phoebe. Not sure the sound of South London would resonate anyway…
This is such an interesting space, thanks for writing about it. Did you have to do anything to your book, to make it more suited to audio? I ask, as I did a little romance for straight-to-audio, and found that when I was reading aloud, some of my dialogue tags were annoying, in a way they don't feel to be in print. Taking them out changed the rhythm of my writing, and I found I had to alter other bits of punctuation, too, to help the reader get the words out (much less commas, way more full stops, and obliterated semi colons completely). I also found chapter breaks needed to give more orientation than I perhaps would on the page, and I deliberately wrote my chapter endings with a much more obvious dun-dun-duh tension (which feels hideous in print).
Anyway, interested to know! There're barely any guidelines I've found, to writing direct to audio (unless my Googling was just rubbish).
Hello! No, I didn't change anything on my books for audio! They were copy-edited etc after the editorial process and then the narrator read them in a studio. They are pretty used to reading in this way so shouldn't usually be a problem. Often the audio reads do throw up a few last typos that might have been missed, though!
Ohhh interesting. Do you think there’s an opportunity there, to develop different ways of writing specifically for audio, or do you think readers wouldn’t notice the difference? To my mind, they’re such different ways of consuming story, but I don’t know if neurally normal people think the same?
Really useful! Thanks Phoebe.
Thank you so much for reading and engaging!
Great post, thanks Phoebe. Like another commenter, I do worry about the consequences of AI use, not just in terms of audio but across the industry. Storytelling is such a precious aspect of who we are as humans!
The AI use for audio hasn't transpired yet in my area of expertise, it will be interesting to see what happens, and agree it could be a worry x
I'd love to get my debut novel into audio book format, but my publisher don't produce them, although they do occasionally manage to sell the rights on to someone who does. Not for mine yet though. It almost feels like a book doesn't exist, or has no presence, unless it's also in audio book format.
Ah it definitely does exist if it's in other formats! Hopefully it will find its audio home one day :)
Very interesting, Phoebe. It’s great that audiobooks are now being recognised with awards. I’ve listened to some great audiobooks recently.
One thing you didn’t mention that as an author I find very scary is the increasing number of AI voice generated audiobooks…
We don't use AI to read audio at my publishing house, so not something I have come across yet, but it is doubtless being used in some places...
Oh love this! I’m a huge fan of audiobooks and that’s how I’m able to read so many books per year (50-120+) as I can listen to audio and potter around. Sometimes I listen and read along in print or on my Kindle too. 🙈😅🤣
Wow that's an amazing number of books to be getting through! I agree, audio can make it easier x
I'm keen to see how the kids audiobook market evolves in light of smartphone free movement and a focus on analogue for middle-grade, pre-teen and potentially YA with the social media ban. This could see a decline in smart(er) phones for hugh schoolers, so could this see the return of the CD audiobook? I think the sprayed edges/Ltd edition books have highlighted a desire for ownership rather than access to something digitally, so maybe CDs could tie into this, too?
Interesting! In all honesty I don't know much about the kids market I am afraid, but your point around CDs is interesting - perhaps people will be more drawn to collectable items!
Very interesting, thank you Phoebe! I've started to see the occasional audio original/just-for-audio book, which is interesting. Like a lot of people, I prefer to listen to non-fiction, but read fiction with my eyes! Recent audio loves include Famesick (obvs), Strangers by Belle Burden, Careless People... and on the less blockbustery side, I adored Lauren Zonfrillo's heartbreaking Til Death Do Us Part x
Thank you for the recommendations! Strangers is definitely on my list for the next time I go on holiday. And yes, we are definitely seeing more audio original content - today Hinge announced a new project which sounds exciting!