Kravitz And Sons

The way people read (and listen) is changing every day. Gone are the days when books only lived on shelves. Now we’ve got audiobooks filling our headphones and bite-sized tales popping up on our phones. It’s like the publishing world has started throwing glitter into the air. Everywhere you look, something new is sparkling.

Have you noticed how your commute feels shorter with an audiobook humming in your ear? The audiobook market is exploding in the US and Europe. In fact, U.S. audiobook revenue hit $2 billion in 2023, up about 9% from the year before. And get this, 52% of American adults (around 137 million people) have listened to at least one audiobook. Over in the UK, downloads climbed 17% between 2022 and 2023, with revenue jumping 24% to £206 million. Good news for authors, right?

Remember those old serial novels that kept readers on their toes every week? Today’s authors have their own versions of Dickens-style cliffhangers on smartphones. Platforms like Wattpad, Radish, and Kindle Vella let writers publish stories installment by installment. Wattpad alone has around 90 million users (mostly Gen Z and Millennials) reading and writing free, in-progress stories. These are communities where fans eagerly wait for each new chapter, and readers share comments like wildfire, fueling buzz.

New formats = new readers. Audiobooks open doors to busy commuters, visually impaired listeners, or folks who love podcasts. Serialized apps and mobile eBooks tap into younger, mobile-first readers. You can connect with audiences in the U.S., across Europe, or even globally – far beyond your local bookstore.

Instead of relying only on print/eBook sales, you can earn from audiobook royalties or through platform payments. For example, Audible or Apple Books pays royalties on audiobook sales, and subscription services like Scribd pay authors per read. Some serial apps pay based on chapter reads or special tokens. It won’t make you rich overnight, but it adds a bit of diversity to your income.

On sites like Wattpad or apps like Radish, readers can comment on your chapters and share them. That built-in community can boost motivation and word-of-mouth. A hit serial can even attract publisher interest or media deals. Feedback is instant; sometimes readers will tell you exactly what they love (or want changed) as the story unfolds.

Different formats make books more accessible. An audiobook means someone with a long commute or vision issues can enjoy your story. An eBook on a phone means someone in a remote corner of Europe or a library subscriber in the U.S. can find your book easily. It’s like handing a flashlight to readers in dark corners of the world.

The catch is, all these spaces are crowded. On many platforms, popularity is key. You’ll likely need to learn platform algorithms, use tags, and engage with readers to stand out. Marketing is up to you. In other words, it’s not a “publish and forget” world – you need a plan to draw readers in.

Each market has its own payout setup. For example, audiobooks might pay a percentage per sale, while a subscription app might pay per page read. Some serial platforms don’t let you set your own prices, with the platform controlling chapter pricing. Read the fine print before you invest the effort.

Creating quality audio or managing a serial requires consistent effort. If you serialize, you’ll need to deliver chapters on schedule to keep readers hooked. If you produce audio, you or a narrator have to record with good equipment and editing. Think of it as learning a mini new skill or project, not just clicking “upload.”

Not every market moves at the same pace. In Scandinavia and parts of Europe, audiobook subscriptions (like Storytel) are massive, whereas in some countries paperback still sells more. Taxes and pricing (like VAT) differ by country too. And some platforms only operate in certain languages or regions. If you aim for Europe, you might consider translations or local promotions (book bloggers in the UK, for example).

Before committing, try the format yourself. Listen to a few audiobooks in your genre. Read a couple of serialized stories on Wattpad or Vella. Notice their style – shorter scenes, cliffhanger chapter endings, conversational language. This will give you a feel for what readers expect.

If you already have a finished book, consider transforming it. For audio, platforms like ACX (Audible’s creator exchange) can connect you with narrators. Even splitting a novel into episodes can work: you could publish Book 1 of a trilogy on Kindle Vella or as a free serial to build hype for Book 2.

You don’t have to reformat all your books at once. Pick one story or even a novella. Release it as an audio or on one platform to see how it goes. Learn from that experience before doing a bigger launch.

Use your newsletter, social media, or an author blog to tell fans about your new venture. You could tease the first chapter or offer a free excerpt. Early readers can become evangelists, leaving reviews or comments that attract more people.

Some platforms have built-in marketing perks. For example, Amazon lets you offer your first few Kindle chapters free, and Wattpad has contests and featured lists. Look for opportunities to get featured or noticed through the platform itself.

For audiobooks, ensure your audio is clear; poor sound quality turns listeners away fast. For serials, keep chapters relatively short and end on a hook. Use engaging titles for episodes. Good formatting (paragraph breaks, dialogue tags) helps e-readers and listeners follow along.

Track your stats if the platform provides them. If listeners stop an audiobook early, maybe try a different narrator or intro style. If readers drop off after chapter 3 on Wattpad, tweak your pacing. Learning and adjusting as you go is part of the game.

You don’t have to figure everything out alone. A supportive partner like Kravitz and Sons can help demystify the process. They’re “passionate about helping authors bring their stories to life with expert publishing and marketing solutions”. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider getting advice or services from people who do this for a living.