The Audiobook Boom

audiobook boom

Audiobook Boom connects authors with audiobook fans. Its database contains listeners looking for audiobooks and matches them with authors who want to promote their book. Authors can pay $12 to have their book listed on the service. The listing includes a picture of the book, a 75-word blurb, the narrator’s name and the book’s running time. Other details include star rating and genre. The website claims to have 7000 subscribers and a 20 percent open rate.

The audiobook industry is experiencing a boom. According to the Audio Publishers Association, one in two Americans (aged 12 and older) has listened to at least one audiobook. This number has climbed six points since last year. As more people become audiobook lovers, more publishers are creating and releasing more audiobooks.

The audiobook boom has also fueled new opportunities for authors. The acquisition of rights to the memoir of snowboarder Shaun White by Audible is just one example. The publisher plans to publish the print edition of the memoir in addition to an enhanced audiobook. It is likely that more A-list Hollywood actors will soon start narrating books.

Audiobooks have become a great resource for busy people. Fifty-two percent of listening takes place away from home. Furthermore, 48 percent of audiobook consumers are younger than 35 years old. In the United States and Europe, fiction and non-fiction are the most popular types of audiobooks. In Latin America, however, non-fiction, essays, and podcast journalism are the top choices.

While Audible has been a pioneer in the audiobook market, other companies have jumped in the race. In 2017, Apple dropped its exclusive contract with Audible and began working with other distributors. Walmart and Kobo are also entering the audiobook market. Hallmark is also getting into the audiobook game, partnering with Dreamscape Media and planning to release more than 20 audiobooks this year.

Audiobooks have a long history. They were originally created as educational tools and were used in libraries and schools. Originally, they were sold on analog cassette tapes and vinyl records. In the early days of the Internet, however, talking books were available from many sources. With the growth of smart speakers, there are now a large number of options available for listening to books.

Publishers are experimenting with a new format that allows listeners to actively participate in the story. These new audiobooks, known as “real-time audiobooks”, guide listeners through activities that are taking place in real time. For example, an audiobook on gardening by Alice Vincent walks readers through the growing process of plants. These audiobooks are shorter than traditional books and are designed to be listened to while moving through the motions of a task.