[OPLIN 4cast] OPLIN 4cast #507: Authors and audiobooks

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OPLIN 4cast #507: Authors and audiobooks
September 14th, 2016

[image: Audiobooks] Audiobooks are having a growth spurt. The Wall Street
Journal reports
<http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-fastest-growing-format-in-publishing-audiobooks-1469139910>
that “audiobooks are the fastest-growing format in the book business
today.” The reasons usually cited for the upsurge are our ubiquitous
smartphones that can easily handle the audio format and the increasing
tendency for people to multitask. So these days publishers are increasing
their audiobook catalogs at a very rapid pace. But what if you are a
self-published author?
- The audiobook boom: What’s happening and how can I be included?
<http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2016/the-audiobook-boom-whats-happening-and-how-can-i-be-included/>
(Digital Book World | Michele Cobb)  “Audio publishers are constantly
mining the coffers of agents and publishers to find their next great title
to record. If a title is not picked up by an existing audio publisher,
however, it does not mean the title cannot make it to audio. Authors and
book publishers have the option of doing it themselves, through a number of
roads. Audiobook production studios across the country are available to
assist, and they will help with casting, recording, directing and mastering
an audio production.”
- The state of indie audiobooks
<http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/70745-the-state-of-indie-audiobooks.html>
(Publishers Weekly | Ryan Joe)  “There’s also more understanding about the
importance of effective audiobook distribution, especially given the
proliferation of digital portals that traffic in audiobooks. Audiobooks
published exclusively with ACX are distributed on Amazon, iTunes, and
Audible, but not on other platforms such as Hoopla, OverDrive, and
Bibliotheca’s 3M, which serve libraries. ACX also offers a nonexclusive
option, which allows authors to distribute their books via any platform.
‘The library market has always been an important part of the book market,’
Cobb says. ‘It’s where a lot of discovery happens, and a lot of people feel
it’s important that their titles are there.’”
- Letter of recommendation: Audiobooks read by the author
<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/magazine/letter-of-recommendation-audiobooks-read-by-the-author.html>
(New York Times | Wyatt Mason)  “The necessity of the author’s actual voice
came most clearly into view when I heard W. G. Sebald read from his final
novel, ‘Austerlitz.’ <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccMCGjWLlhY> This was
in Manhattan a few weeks after Sept. 11, and the city was still wreathed in
gloom. I’d loved Sebald’s previous work but disliked the new novel, feeling
it to be clouded by self-seriousness. And then Sebald started reading, in
his authentic German-accented English. As I listened to the cadences of
Sebald’s voice, deep and unhurried, the self-seriousness I ascribed to
‘Austerlitz’ disappeared. As Sebald delivered his syntactically complex
sentences, grace and lightness and, oddest of all, *humor* were present, as
clear as a slap in the face.”
- Should authors read their own audiobooks?
<http://www.writerswrite.com/readersread/should-authors-read-their-own-audiobooks-71320161>
(Writers Write, Readers Read)  “Not everyone agrees that authors are the
best people to read their books. We know many people who won’t buy an
audiobook unless it’s read by a professional actor. It’s true: some authors
are wonderful writers and terrible narrators. However there are a number of
authors who apparently passed their auditions with flying colors. For
example, Elizabeth Gilbert reads the audio version of *Eat Pray Love*. Maya
Angelou’s reading of *I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings* is excellent. Tina
Fey reads the audio version of her book *Bossypants*. Malcolm Gadwell reads
his novel *Blink*. And when Neil Gaiman reads any of his own work, it’s a
true joy to listen to.”

*Articles from Ohio Web Library <http://ohioweblibrary.org>:*

   - Digital audiobook lending is finding its groove.
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=99772302>
   (*Publishers Weekly*, 12/1/2014, p.29-32 | Kat Meyer)
   - Narrative arc.
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=115350043>
   (*Library Journal*, 5/15/2016, p.18-20 | Jason Puckett)
   - Indies bet on hot audiobook market.
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=115859309>
   (*Publishers Weekly*, 5/30/2016, p.30 | Clare Swanson)

------------------------------
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