I’m an author, and I read a lot too. Because of that, I understand the appeal of audiobooks. Readers don’t always have time to sit down and turn pages (digital or physical), but a lot of us have time to read when we’re on the go.
There was a time when Audible was pretty much the only game in town, but that’s no longer true. Authors and readers alike are reaching out to new platforms to meet the growing demand for audiobooks. If you’re someone who has been on the audiobook bandwagon from the beginning, you might already know about these options. Even if you prefer physical or digital books, audio is still a great fallback for situations where other options aren’t possible, and I want to let you know about the other possibilities.
Before I get started, let me say that there’s nothing wrong with Audible. It’s a great option, but there are other choices. So, here are five alternatives for you to explore.
Apple Books
If you happen to be an Apple products user, you’ll be happy to know that Apple has its own audio option that works seamlessly with your devices and has a great selection. Some of the books on Apple Books are exclusive, which adds a certain appeal if there’s an author you follow who has exclusivity there, or there’s a particular topic that’s hard to find elsewhere. You can find and buy audiobooks on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and the app works between your different devices, making it an easy option.
Google Books
Good news, android users have a similar option to Apple Books built for them in Google Play Books. They also offer exclusive titles that are not on Audible. If you’re worried about selection, you don’t need to be. They have a library of over five million books! Five. Million.
Unlike Audible where you pay a membership fee each month, you purchase books a la carte in this app, and Google Play Books works on a variety of devices. The app offers a customizable listening experience, with the ability to speed up playback and set a sleep timer. They frequently offer sales, too, sometimes at steep discounts, allowing readers to obtain books for lower prices than they might find elsewhere.
Chirp
This is the go-to spot for discounted audiobooks. Chirp is a platform designed around offering readers books at steep discounts, sometimes up to 95% off the retail price. Most of their deals are limited time only or on featured collections. It might not be the best place to start if you have a specific book in mind, but it is perfect to keep around for when you feel like exploring new titles, or if there’s a book you want but don’t want to pay full price for.
Barnes & Noble
Another great option for finding new book titles is Barnes & Noble. They give you the option of a monthly membership—like Audible—or you can purchase books a la carte in the same way you can Google Play Books. Like the other audio options, Barnes & Noble has titles that are exclusive to them, so check it out. You might find a book that is exactly what you want that simply doesn’t exist on Audible.
Spotify
Spotify is the new kid on the block. Best known for music, it now has an audiobook program. This is a recent development, after their purchase of Findaway Voices, a platform where indie authors like myself can create our audiobooks. This is a good alternative because, depending on your listening habits, it would be convenient to have your books in the same app as your music.
Audible isn’t going anywhere, and many of us have been listening to them for years. But there are more platforms out there—a lot, in fact. Not all the platforms may be right for you, or you may end up with one particular favorite. Some of them allow you to try the platform for free, which is nice. You might find some great deals, great features, or even a discounted book you always wanted but didn’t think you could afford.
Speaking of discounts, six of my thirty audiobooks are on sale right now until the end of March. The books are available at…you guessed it…Apple, Google, Chirp, B&N, and Spotify for the low price of $3.99 to $5.00.
If you’re new to audiobooks, this is a low-cost way to check them out. If audiobooks are your jam, you know these prices are a steal. So save your Audible credits and snatch up these deals.
The current titles on sale
Until Now – romantic suspense, assassin
A Passionate Love – billionaire heroine
Wild Thoughts – celibate hero
Perfect – CEO/billionaire, estranged couple
Princess of Zamibia – royal romance, secret baby
That Time in Venice – second chance romance
View all my audiobook titles and listen to samples on my Audiobooks Page.
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What was the last audiobook you listened to and enjoyed?
8 Comments. Leave new
Thank you for the audiobook “tutorial”. The last audiobook I listened to was Coming Home by Kennedy Ryan.
That looks like a good one. I like that it’s a novella so it would be a nice, fast listen.
Where do you find your voice actors?
Hi Toni, I find them in two places. First, on ACX, Amazon’s platform for creating audiobooks. On ACX, they’re called producers. Go to https://www.acx.com and use the Search function in the top right to find a narrator/producer based on your requirements. I’ve also hired production companies in the past, who find the narrators based on what I tell them I’m looking for. You can find the two I’ve used at this link https://delaneydiamond.com/for-authors.
I just learned that The Hawthornes are coming to audiobook! Please tell me when and when I can pre order them – all of them! It seems I have been waiting for ever for these books to be presented in audiobook form! Thank you so much Delaney!!!!
I thought that would make you happy. I’m very excited too! I can’t wait to see what Tantor is able to do with the production. Since I’m working with them, I’m on their timeline. I’ll be sure to announce the production and release as soon as I have details.
Now that you are giving us the Hawthornes, I know my other favorites are in line to be produced in audiobook too i.e. The Latin Men Series. No pressure, just putting it out there! LOL
LOL! I would love to have the Latin Men in audio too. We’ll see if that’s a possibility.