Audiobooks: What to Love

In recent years, audiobooks have surged in popularity among all kinds of readers. They offer accessibility, convenience, and a new way to consume the content of a book. For some readers, audiobooks allow them to engage with the narrative by listening passively, i.e. on their own time while they drive, walk, or complete other daily or work tasks. For others, such as visually impaired readers, the use of audiobooks elevates the reading experience by providing a more modern approach to engaging with the text. Studies support claims that audiobooks are less demanding of readers and that their rise is not a fad, so what does this mean for you?

While not a fad, audiobooks are currently trending in publishing and, like any trend, welcome another potential avenue of success as a writer when it comes to reaching a broader audience. Choosing not to present your book in an audio format does not decrease your chances of accomplishment, but the advantages audiobooks present are worth considering. So what exactly are some of these advantages for you, the reader and author? Let’s take a look at a few others that may not be as obvious: 

1. Flexibility 

   
   

 Many avid readers can work their way through many titles in any given year, but those who enjoy a good read every once in a while and only have so much time to devote to it are given equal opportunity to engage their interests. Traditional reading, meaning physical book-in-hand and fingers turning pages, limits reading ability because it requires some people to crave out time and space to make it happen whereas listening to audiobooks can be done whenever, wherever. For those with busy and hectic lifestyles, audiobooks open doors to meeting reading goals. 

2. Heightened Imagination

   
   

We all get images or ideas about the stories we read as we read them, using detail from the author to create what we believe best represents the characters and contents of the book. It is a completely unique experience for all readers and one that makes it so enjoyable, to escape into a world that is crafted by someone else’s world and vision. Audiobooks add another layer to this experience by providing auditory elements not available through traditional reading methods. Listening to a book can help some readers better visualize the story and make it seem more “alive.” 

3. Reduced stress and screen time

   
   

At the end of a long day, nothing beats unwinding with your feet up and a good book to keep you company. But some may find that it takes too much of their already waning energy to stay focused on the story if they have to keep their eyes open to follow words on a page or squint hard on digital devices. For this reason, audiobooks are a great choice because they free up space (no book or device to hold) and time (less energy tracking each word) while promoting less distractions screen use can sometimes cause. 

4. Improved Productivity 

   
   

How many times have you washed a load of laundry, took out the trash, organized your closet, or cooked dinner with a book in hand? Probably not often (or ever), but audiobooks give you the chance to take care of business and enjoy doing so as you listen to the story playing out before you. Choosing an audiobook allows you to check off things on your to-do list if you want to stay active while you indulge with a new read. 

5. Increased Revenue 

   
   

As an alternative to more conventional sales, audiobooks have the capacity to generate additional revenue and income. This is unsurprisingly attractive to authors who want to further develop their brand and reap the benefits of a diversified reader base. 

Audiobooks are an undeniable asset for writers in the modern era. They appeal to a wide range of readers and give authors more resources to achieve success. Even if you decide they aren’t for you in our own publishing journey, they are worthy of recognition for the way they promote reading and support authors.

-DG