READING VS. LISTENING?

As long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by books. Fortunately, my dad was a proponent of reading. He backed me each Saturday morning when I’d say, “Just one more chapter,” to my mom, who wanted me to clean my room and help with other housework. Of course, you know what happens with “just one more chapter”, right? I’d finish the book, then clean like crazy to make up for the delay.

I still love reading and indulge myself when I’m not writing. In the last few decades, there’s a competitor to the written work—audio books. My first experience with one was really a cassette my husband received for his birthday from a friend. That was a Louis L’Amour novel. We listened to it on a trip.

Since then, audio books have taken off. I was delighted when one of my first books was turned into an audio version—until I realized the publisher got the money and not me. Rats! On the advice of a very savvy author, I delved into the audio market with two of my books.

BRAZOS BRIDE, book one of Men of Stone Mountain TX, was my first experiment. This book has been a big seller for me and now is perma-free on Amazon and is also in Kindle Unlimited. Amazon offered me a great deal to try audio whereby they would supplement the narrator’s fee. I’d been itching to try audio, so that was the incentive I needed. Woo Hoo! I was on my way. Hero and I searched for a narrator who would accept Amazon’s terms and we auditioned those who were willing. We chose a woman with a wonderful voice and we split the royalties: a quarter for her, a quarter for me, and a half for Amazon. Hmmm, what’s wrong with this picture?

The same savvy author advised me that I’d be better off hiring the narrator. So, for HIGH STAKES BRIDE, book two of Men of Stone Mountain TX, we paid the narrator a flat fee per hour and then we only split with Amazon. Yes, the mighty Amazon always gets their cut. We used a different narrator because the first woman was booked for months and we didn’t want to wait. When we get the bit between our teeth, we are impatient.

So, how about you? Do you listen to audio books? Do you prefer holding a book or e-reader in your hand? One of my friends downloads audio books onto her iPhone and listens while she does embroidery or sewing. Another listens while she commutes.

If you enjoy or want to try an audio book, I have promo codes to give away that will allow you to get one of these two audio books for FREE (or both if you wish). Just send me an email at caroline @ carolineclemmons.com (without the spaces) with AUDIO BOOK in the subject and I’ll send you a promo code or codes. Invite your friends to do the same.

My next book will be released on February 9^th. This is another “secret” project so I can’t tell you what it is or the person in charge would kill me. This is a kind of project with which I’ve not been involved before so I’m eager to see the results. I can tell you the title is AMANDA’S RANCHER and I’m excited about the release.

Thanks for stopping by!