Warning about making an audio book for a self published text version.

[[deleted user]]

This is a warning for any authors thinking about making an audio book version of their book. I have been going around in circles trying to sell my current novella.

I have concluded that you can't sell a bad book no matter what price you charge. One of my biggest mistakes was to rush out and make an audio book version thinking it would make a difference in sales, which it didn't. All I did was to make it impossible to change anything in the text version.

If you are thinking about making an audio book version, make sure you are satisfied with your current text version. After you make the audio book version, you won't be able to change your text version.

I have made many mistakes with the novella but making the audio book version was the biggest. I have set the list price at the mid range point and have walked away from the book.

S. R. Reed

[Jim]

S.R. wrote: "This is a warning for any authors thinking about making an audio book version of their book. I have been going around in circles trying to sell my current novella.

I have concluded that you can't ..."

S.R.,

There are exceptions, depending upon the author's contract pertaining to the specific format. For example, the audio format may be an abridgment of the print version. If a new edition of the print version is created and published, it is not necessary to change the original audio format.

That said; your observation is quite accurate. Releasing a bad book in several formats will not magically make it a good book. A well-written, entertaining story will sell. Readers' format preference will determine whether those sales come in the form of the print, electronic or audio version of the work.

Don't be discouraged though. Your next book may very well be quite successful. I hope that this possibility proves prophetic.

[J.D.]

Perhaps, you should pull the audio book from whichever sites you are selling it on and focus on polishing the text version to sell for the time being. At least until you have an opportunity to re-record the audio book. That is probably what I would do. I wouldn't abandon the project, altogether, unless I absolutely hated it and wanted to start over. I definitely don't recommend leaving a bad book or audio book out there with your name tied to it, though. It is still your reputation and any future titles that you release will always be connected to it. I would take it down if you don't plan to fix it.

[Ju]

S.R. You had me LOL. Yep, I believe you should pull both versions. Work on fixing the text. Don't be so quick to rush to make an audio version. There is a very small market for audio. :)

[Jim]

The quarterly sales report issued by the publisher includes a breakdown by format for the previous quarter and year-to-date. Though probably not a reflection of the industry as a whole, the data may still be of interest to some.

April 1 through June 30, 2015 - 9 units
Paperback (376 pages): 2 (22.2%
E-Book (Kindle/Nook/Tablet): 7 (77.8%)
Audio Book on CD (9 discs): 0 (0%)
Audio Book Download: 0 (0%)

Aug. 9, 2011 through June 30, 2015 - 944 units
Paperback (376 pages): 467 (49.5%)
E-Book (Kindle/Nook/Tablet) 421 (44.6%)
Audio Book on CD (9 discs): 34 (3.6%)
Audio Book Download: 22 (2.3%)

[[deleted user]]

I have a seven year royalty share contract with the audio book producer and can't pull the audio book or pull the text version because it's linked to the audio book. So, my reputation is going to take a beating.

Sometimes you have to learn the hard way. I hope this post keeps any new author from making the mistake I made with the novella.

Thanks for your comments.
S. R. Reed

[Michael]

S.R. wrote: "I have a seven year royalty share contract with the audio book producer and can't pull the audio book or pull the text version because it's linked to the audio book. So, my reputation is going to t..."

You might see if your publisher is willing to renegotiate the contract based on sales. If you believe it is not high-enough quality, then readers may not buy it in the volumes that your publisher would approve of. In that case, it would be better to go back to the drawing board and create something that is a better win-win scenario for both you and the publisher.

[[deleted user]]

Hi Michael,

The book is self-published so I'm the publisher. I talked with ACX the company who handles the audio book producers. I could get out of the contract by paying the producer what he normally would receive, which in my case is around 1,200 dollars.

Since I broke, I can't pay him so I'm stuck. I'm not losing any money by just leaving the book alone in all its formats. When I say the book is bad I'm assuming the readers don't like the book.

However, most of the readers who took the time to give the book a review said they enjoyed book and gave it a four star review. I know the competition on Amazon.com is enormous. I checked the amount of Science Fiction Kindle books currently available for sale.

There are 96,111 Science Fiction books for sale on Amazon.com. Since I can't afford to promote the book I'm probably lucky to get any sales.

I have decided that since I can't change anything because of the audio book connection to just set the list price for all of the formats to match the audio book list price and let Amazon.com adjust the prices if they want.

I guess I'm a typical author frustrated with the competition and have doubts about my writing ability. I'm currently writing a Science Fiction screenplay and don't have the time to worry about the novella.

I just thought that I would past along my experience to new authors who are thinking about making an audio book.

Thanks for your comment.
S. R. Reed

[Michael]

S.R. wrote: "Hi Michael,

I guess I'm a typical author frustrated with the competition and have doubts about my writing ability. I'm currently writing a Science Fiction screenplay and don't have the time to worry about the novella..."

Having learned about the self-publishing industry and the volume of books being made available, I have to think that writing is much like other fields in the entertainment industry (e.g. acting or music). There is too much talent out there for the industry, and breaking into the industry as a recognized professional is going to take an exceptional product AND having the right luck and/or connections.

Best wishes,
Mike

[[deleted user]]

Hi Michael,

I agree.

Thanks for your comment.

S. R. Reed