Audiobook Publishers

Tailor your audiobook to target certain markets within the audiobook business
By Lisa J. Jackson, Writer / Editor The audio book business is growing. Reading a book doesn't mean sitting under a light source with a bound stack of paper in your hands any more. Although a lot of readers still prefer hard- or soft-bound paper books, some readers are turning to e-books and audiobooks for convenience.

Busy lives leave less and less time for the bibliophile to sit with a volume of prose, and savvy writers keep this in mind when producing works for audiobook publication. Book lovers choose audiobooks as a way to 'read' while engaged in other activities, like a daily commute or an exercise routine.

Keep your audience in mind when publishing audio books:

1. People over 30 who tend to have above-average incomes and education enjoy multitasking with convenient audiobooks.

2. Parents purchase children's audiobooks for road trips and as an alternative to watching television.

3. Teachers and schools use audiobooks as part of their educational program offerings.

Locate audio book summaries as examples of the latest audiobook formats

The audiobook publishing business isn't limited to full narrations of fiction. Abridged versions of books, as well as book summaries for busy executives who need to stay current with trends and data, are also available. You can also explore this option without spending any money.
Try:  Download a free sample audiobook from Audio-Tech, which offers MP3 versions of technical guides from 1999 to the present. The comany's library is searchable by date, format (i.e. MP3), alphabetical by title, category listing (i.e. Leadership), and by collection type (i.e. CEO library). Soundview Executive Book Summaries is a subscription-based pioneer in audiobook summaries. They have been outlining key business points of books since the late 1970's and offer various formats, including MP3 and PDA-compatible summaries.

Sell your book to an audiobook publisher at the top of the audiobook business

Purchasing audiobooks is as simple as purchasing any other type of book. Audiobooks are available in book stores, via online ordering, and through download. Audiobook publishers run the gamut from a narrow specialized niche focus to vast multi-genre offerings, so explore full-version audiobook publishers' sites to find the right publisher for your needs.
Try:  The Audio Book Company offers mystery, non-fiction, science fiction, classics and children's audiobooks in cassette, CD, and downloadable formats. As a bonus, you can search for books recorded with the same narrator. Audible.com is an online audio book store where you can purchase and download books to your computer or other listening device. Customers can listen before buying.

Keep in mind the audio format your audio book publishers require

Publishers of audiobooks can be found everywhere, and they aren't all the same. If you'll be in charge of your book's production, or if you're targeting a specific audiobook seller, work with your publisher to guarantee that your book will be produced in the appropriate electronic format for your audience's needs.
Try:  Consider two audio book companies which offer numerous books from in a variety of genres from different audio book publishers: Simply Audiobooks and HighBridge. They each produce books on cassette tape, CD, and downloadable audio formats. Find a listing of audiobook publishers through the AcqWeb Directory.

• Finding audiobook producers for your own book may be quite challenging. It's a tough market to break into. Like traditional publishing, having an agent working on your behalf is the best way to go.