Envision a place where you can get all the works of Penguin/Random, Macmillan, Hachette Book Group, Harper Collins, Simon, and Schuster.
From fiction, and non-fiction, to fantasy, comics, and all.
Now, imagine an online platform where you can get access to these works, albeit in an audio format.
Audible
Genres like action and adventure classics, comics, graphics, detective and mystery, fantasy, historical, fiction, horror, literary fiction, inspirations, etc., in hardcover publishing, can now be published as an audiobook and found on Audible.
Audible provides the world’s largest range of titles spanning from well-known classics to new releases and unique podcasts.
How to get access to audible?
Audible is accessible via internet browsers and you can also download the mobile application version on the Google Play Store or Apple Store.
The signups are not free.
Though there is a 30-day trial plan, which automatically qualifies you to receive one free audiobook to get started.
Payment kicks off the moment the trial plan expires.
To earn Audible memberships, you can choose from the bouquet of plans namely audible plus and audible premier plus, Audible Premium Plus –
2 Credits, Audible Premium Plus Annual – 12 Credits, Audible Premium Plus Annual – 24 Credits.
After your plan, your Audible subscription will automatically renew itself.
Perks of audiobooks
The full acceptance of audiobooks by this generation can be traced solely to the fact that you can absorb knowledge, entertain, and educate while physically involved in some other things.
Also:
i. You become more learned: In today’s world, day-to-day tasks have made reading a bit challenging for professionals; compiling reports, replying to emails, and attending meetings – both virtual and physical. Getting home, you’ve been stressed mentally, not willing to do anything.
You can as well listen to audiobooks while doing some of these tasks, in
your office, in the restroom, while driving, traveling, commuting, etc.
Hence, it demands less attention.
ii. You are presented with different choices that you can choose from: there is an array of books you can choose from.
iii. Longevity: compared to paperback books that wear and tear, audiobooks can live indefinitely if backed up regularly. No storage room or temperature for preservation. All an audiobook requires is to be stored on the user’s device, or cloud storage.
Can you return audiobooks on audible?
You cannot judge a book by its cover, however, when it comes to audiobooks on Audible, you can quickly take a look at the pages by the ‘roadside’ and if it doesn’t catch your fancy, you return it.
If you don’t like a book or accidentally downloaded the wrong one, you may return it and get your credit back to use on anything else.
Follow these steps:
i. Sign in to your Audible account and select “Account Details”, from the pull-down menu next to your name.
ii. Choose “Purchase History” to view a list of all the audiobooks you’ve purchased from the platform.
iii. Next to the audiobook you no longer want, click “Return” or “Exchange.”
iv. Click the reason for your return or exchange, and select “Return” or “Exchange” to confirm your decision.
Can you cancel your audible membership subscription?
The easiest part of canceling your subscription is if you are on a monthly subscription.
Follow these instructions:
i. Browse through to the Audible website and select “Account Details” from the pull-down menu next to your name.
ii. Choose “Cancel Membership” under “Your Membership.” It will request affirmation. Afterward, your subscription will be terminated.
If you purchased a yearly subscription, canceling is the same process, but you will not be reimbursed.
However, you will not be charged again the following year, and your membership will not renew.
If you purchased an audiobook from Audible, it will stay in your Audible collection indefinitely, even if your subscription has expired.
This should also apply to items purchased during your free trial.
How to get your audiobook listed on audible?
To help make the process seem a bit less overwhelming, I have put together this checklist for you to have a high-level overview of the steps involved in getting your audiobook out there – to the world, from idea generation and writing, to publishing.
Phase 1: Pre-Writing
Determine your purpose for publishing an audiobook: what’s your main goal?
Hint: Imagine it’s a year from now and your audiobook is published.
Complete this sentence, “My book helps me to . . .”
your ideal reader: whom do you want to reach with your audiobook?
Settle for your audiobook topic and focus: what is the one thing you want readers to grasp from listening to your audiobook?
Create an outline of your audiobook’s structure, including an introduction
Phase 2: Writing
Write a quick first draft.
Use your outline to treat each chapter like a blog post or writing prompt.
Check each chapter topic off your list as you go to keep track of what you’ve written and how much you have left.
Hint: Imagine your audiobook takes your reader on a journey and you, as the author, are leading them along the path. Is the path (your structure) the clearest, most logical, and straightforward way to get to the destination where you want them to arrive?
Phase 3: Editing
Ask trusted colleagues to read your draft and give you feedback.
Hint: Only ask people to read the draft at this stage, and demand honest and useful feedback from them.
Continue to revise as much as necessary based on the feedback you get from initial readers.
Work with your editor until you feel like you have a solid draft.
Send the final manuscript to people in your network, and ask for “blurbs,” two-three sentences of praise to include in the book.
Get your manuscript line edited or copy edited (your draft may need one or both of these depending on the shape it’s in).
Phase 4: Publishing
Prepare your book for recording
Get a professional narrator to record it.
Review the audiobook
Upload the audiobook to ACX
Conclusion
The most significant disadvantage of audiobooks is when a book you wish to listen to has a poor narrator.
Otherwise, you’ll be sent to sleep in a matter of minutes.
When you experience a book read to you by the author or a compelling author, it is always surreal.
Excellent Narrators Enhance the Meaning of Audiobooks.
There are other platforms akin to Audible where you can publish audiobooks: Overdrive, Scribd, Hoopla, Google Play Books, and LibriVox.
