JG Foster

Audible subscription deal

Have you been waiting for Audible to drop a deal?

Your wait is over. Audible is enticing new customers with a subscription offer: $5.95/Month for 4 Months until December 31, 2023. 

In terms of audiobooks, Audible is the platform in the USA for audiobook streaming.  

Audible’s offer seems great. I’ve seen many readers within book-related Facebook groups contemplating signing up or signing back up again. 

Audible is Amazon’s premier audiobook service, providing a library of thousands of titles containing bestsellers to indie authors, just like myself, from any genre. 

I am considering signing up for Audible myself for a while. I love audiobooks and have two that I have been eyeing to read for a while: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and Ravenhood Series by Kate Stewart. Unfortunately, my library system carries neither.

Since I started focusing on my writing or procrastination, I consciously decided to source audiobooks as I read so much of my own work about the craft and other authorship-related advice.

Have you been an Audible user previously?

I have never used Audible. I assume Amazon makes the login process easy since most people in the US already have an Amazon account. 

Every company has an app, regardless of how small, so I assume Audible has one where you can listen to your chosen books in the library on your phone or smart device. 

However, can you listen to the audiobooks offline as well?

Does Audible work on Kindle devices? I will have to find out now.

You can find the offer here. 

While the $5.95/month offer is enticing, the benefits of an Audible subscription extend far beyond just the price. Here are some key advantages:

  1. Audible Credits: With a subscription, you receive credits that can be used to purchase any audiobook in the Audible library. Even if you cancel your subscription, your purchased books are yours to keep.
  2. Audible boasts an extensive catalog of audiobooks, covering everything from classics to contemporary works, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
  3. Flexible Listening: Whether commuting, exercising, or relaxing at home, Audible allows you to enjoy your favorite books hands-free.
  4. Audible Plus Catalog: Besides the credits, subscribers can access the Audible Plus catalog, which offers a vast selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and exclusive content.

How to Cancel Audible Subscription

If Audible isn’t for you, canceling your subscription should be simple.

Log in to your account, navigate to the subscription settings, and follow the prompts to cancel. According to Amazon, your previously purchased books are yours to keep, even after cancelation. 

I am still on the fence about whether to accept the offer or not. I am still determining if I will be able to use the credits every month. 

What do you think about the offer? Or is Audible not for You and you prefer a different streaming provider like Spotify.

Spotify adds audiobooks to Premium subscribers

Did Spotify discover a new marketing strategy?

Have you heard the news about Spotify’s audiobook add on? I was surprised that the news isn’t as prevalent on my social media accounts as I expected, neither on the readers’ nor the authors’ sides.

Spotify expanded its audio empire by offering eligible paid Premium subscribers in the United Kingdom and Australia 15 hours of monthly audiobook listening. You can read the press release here.

Do you listen to audiobooks? How often?

I absolutely love audiobooks. I own several hundred audiobooks, from cassettes via CDs to iTunes purchases.

I had to have audiobooks for my own books, and they are.

I believe in 2024, they will add other countries like the US.

I must tell you the truth: I always thought audiobooks were included in the subscription. I learned this is not the case only after adding my audiobooks to Spotify.

Pitfalls for Listeners

While this development is undoubtedly exciting for listeners, it’s essential to acknowledge some potential pitfalls for users. One potential concern is the limitation of 15 hours per month. This cap may be restrictive for voracious readers or those listening to audiobooks during long commutes. Additionally, while Spotify’s audiobook library is extensive, it may not have all the titles users desire, particularly for niche or hard-to-find works.

Jessie Grean is 8 hours and 40 minutes long, and Say What Now? is 8 hours long. That credit of 15 hours would cover it.

Pitfalls for audiobook publishers

Spotify is primarily a music streaming platform. With this move, I can only assume they want to grow their subscriber base.

The first was buying one of the biggest audiobook distributors in the US. As an author, I am still waiting for what Spotify’s control of audiobook distribution will mean. Some things down their pipeline have yet to be revealed.

This may be their first move, removing a page from the indie author’s marketing strategy. Some indie authors offer a free first book in a series to entice readers, and in Spotify’s case, it’s 15 free hours to get audiophiles and readers to sign up for their services.

The other problem I heard about is the way or how much Spotify is paying its artists. A couple of years ago, I read a lot of criticism that Spotify pays peanuts to musicians. From what I could gather, musicians receive $0.003 to $0.0005 per stream. So artists need millions of streams to make some form of income.

As I mentioned above, audiobooks weren’t part of the subscription. This guaranteed the publisher, for example, me, a specific amount, aka the purchase price. With the new audiobook subscription part, having my audiobooks on the streaming platforms might become attainable.

In fact, I was recently reading about authors who pulled their audiobooks from most places and added them to their YouTube channel for free to monetize the channel.

Coming Soon to the US

I have yet to sell my audiobooks in the UK or Australia, so I cannot confirm the audiobook streaming numbers. However, I will keep my eyes and ears open about other authors’ experiences.

I will rethink my audiobook strategy once the rollout extends to the US.

Audiobooks are extremely expensive to produce, and if I were earning pennies from them on Spotify, I would pull them out.

Boundary pushing or following in Audible footsteps

Still, Audible, Amazon’s audiobook subscription service, is one of the biggest providers of audiobooks within the subscription business model. Because Audible is so dominant, it started to screw over narrators and authors to make promises to listeners, like unlimited free returns. However, the authors paid for that, which resulted in major disputes between Amazon and audiobook creators. You can learn about all the issues at Audiblegate.

Spotify continues to push boundaries in its efforts to enter the audiobook market. Still, its strategies will determine whether it can establish its audiobook venture with sound business practices or whether another mud bath with authors will ensue.

What do you think about the Audiobook offer for Premium subscribers?

Exciting Memorial Day Sale for My Ebooks Say What Now?

Exciting Memorial Day Sale for My Ebooks Say What Now?

Get ready to kick off the summer with a fantastic Memorial Day Sale! I am thrilled to announce that my epistolary travel ebook, “Say What Now?” will be available at incredible discounts during this special occasion. Whether you’re a Nook or Kobo enthusiast, I’ve you covered. Don’t miss out on the best Memorial Day deals and offers as you embark on a thrilling reading journey. Read on to discover the exciting details!

Memorial Day Sale at Kobo and Nook: Say What Now? participates in this year’s Memorial Day sales events at both Kobo and Nook platforms to bring you a memorable shopping experience. Both platforms have prepared an array of captivating ebooks, including “Say What Now?” My travel experience/mom-to-book, crafted with my own experiences fictionalized in the real world of Boston and reimagined with written words, will be available at discounted prices exclusively for the Memorial Day Sale.

Kobo Website: If you prefer browsing for your next literary adventure on the Kobo website, you’re in luck! The Memorial Day Sale at Kobo is not to be missed. Head over to the Kobo site and explore the vast collection of ebooks available. Keep an eye out for “Say What Now?” among the best Memorial Day sales deals.

Nook, the Perfect Destination: We have exciting news for all Nook enthusiasts out there! The Memorial Day Sale at Nook promises a fantastic selection of ebooks, including my latest book, “Say What Now?”. Indulge in the thrill of finding your next favorite read while taking advantage of the great discounts offered during this sale.

Memorial Day Weekend: Unmissable Deals and Offers: The Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to unwind, relax, and enjoy some quality reading. With the best Memorial Day sales, deals, and offers, you can elevate your reading experience without breaking the bank. Take advantage of the Memorial Day weekend sales and treat yourself to the ebooks you’ve longed to read.

Find the Best Memorial Day Deals: During the Memorial Day Sale, you’ll discover the best deals and offers on a wide range of ebooks. The discounted prices on “Say What Now” and “Jessie Grean” are just the beginning. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore other intriguing titles and genres that will captivate your imagination and keep you entertained throughout the summer.

Memorial Day Sales Near You: While the Memorial Day Sale takes place online, you can still enjoy the excitement of shopping for ebooks right from home. No matter where you are, you can access the Kobo and Nook websites to take advantage of the Memorial Day sales. These digital platforms bring the best Memorial Day deals directly to your fingertips, ensuring a seamless shopping experience.

Kobo: For readers choosing Kobo over Kindle can be your go-to destination during the Memorial Day Sale. Explore the Kobo site to find “Say What Now?“, along with other engaging titles at discounted prices. Immerse yourself in thrilling stories and unforgettable characters with the ease and convenience of Kobo.

This Memorial Day, don’t miss the opportunity to grab your favorite ebooks at incredible prices. “Say What Now?” will await you during the Memorial Day Sale at Kobo and Nook. Head over to the Kobo website or Nook platform to discover the best Memorial Day sales deals and embark on a literary adventure like never before. Happy reading, and enjoy the discounts

What’s the best eReader?

Please note that the following text contains referral links. 

I am not only a writer but a reader as well. Even though I love physical books, sometimes I am getting ebooks for more comfortable transportation or availability. The last electronic book I read was “American Royals” on my iPad. And it was a drag. My iPad happens to be old enough to be retired by Apple. That means I cannot update apps anymore, which can lead to hick-ups when using the application and is slow. Reading outside is only possible when I sit in the shade, and I usually don’t bring the oversized iPhone, not to the beach, either. Also, I find the iPad too heavy.

As this issue continues, I thought that an e-reader would solve the problems altogether. But which one to get. I heard about Kindles and other eReaders before, but to be honest, I never paid much attention to them. 

 

But where should I start my research? My mind drifted to a familiar place where I can ask questions and am usually not disappointed. 

 

As an avid reader, I have joined several book groups on Facebook. Of course, most of the time, books, shelfies, and upcoming releases are disgusted, but bookish things as well. So I asked: ‘Please recommend to me your e-reader.’ I was not disappointed. 

Several members of the group answered my call to enlighten me on how they are consuming their ebooks. 

 

The results were impressive as one of the e-readers was recommended to me the most. It was the Kindle Paperwhite. But 4 other electronic readers were mentioned as well. 

Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Oasis

Kobo Libra

Kobo Clara

Are those the 4 best eReaders out there at the moment?

 

 

As I am looking to invest in a new reading option, I have to really think about what I wanted to get out of the portable book holder. 

So what are my requirements: 

 

  • waterproof
  • lightweight
  • good battery life
  • a jack
  • possibly Bluetooth
  • no glare

 

Kindles

 

 

Ok, let’s look at the Kindles. They must have the biggest market share of all the e-readers. Not only was Kindle mentioned most in the feedback I got, but I do see them often when I am traveling on the T (the Boston subway system). 

As Kindles are Amazon’s brand, they can be directly connected to my Amazon account. That means I could easily download my ebook purchases to my reader. Not just that, did you know that Amazon has more than 6 million ebooks in their catalog? 

I presume that I could directly access that waste ‘library’ from the Kindle. But what’s the difference between: Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire, and Kindle Oasis.

 

 

Specification Paperwhite Oasis
Dimensions 6.7″x 4.6″ x 0.36″ 6.3″ x 5.6″ x 0.33″
Weight 7.5 ounces (Wi-Fi only) 6.6 ounces (Wi-Fi only)
Screen size 6″ diagonally 7″ diagonally
Storage 32 GB or 8 GB 32 GB or 8 GB
Batterie life lasts for weeks lasts for weeks
Waterproof yes yes
No Glare yes yes
Jack I don’t think so. I don’t think so.
Bluetooth yes yes
Resolution 300 ppi  300 ppi
Price starting at $129.99 (8GB) starting at $249.99

 

Summary

 

Paperwhite

 

If I would purchase the Paperwhite it sounds like that Audible is included, which would be fantastic. However, there doesn’t seem to be a charger for the ebook. Also, what I hadn’t considered was display light as my iPad has a light. So the Paperwhite has 5 LEDs, which I think is more like a dim light. However, please don’t read in the dark anyway. 

 

In comparison, the Oasis has 25 LEDs, which means it would offer a nice background light regardless of the room darkness. 

 

Oasis

 

After reviewing the information on Amazon I was positively surprised that one of the main differences of the Oasis to the Paperwhite is the design. It is ergonomically built and automatically rotates pages, which I have not considered before as an element to look out for as I only read fiction books. However, if you read comics, magazines, or other electronic publications with horizontal pages, which would make reading the material much easier. Also, the Oasis has a special button to turn the page, which may be a good thing. 

 

Conclusions

 

Both Kindle options sound very intriguing. The Paperwhite and Oasis tick all the boxes of my personal requirement. What I really like about the Oasis is the ergonomy of the device, for which I would be willing to pay more. 

But are the Kindle eReaders better than the Kobo devices?

 

Kobos

 

I have to admit something to you. I only just learned about Kobo last week on Twitter when one of the authors I follow published her e-Book. Till this moment I have not heard about Kobo at all. Even though I always think that I am an attentive person, I seem to live under a rock very often. Oh well, know I’ve learned about the company. And while I researched the online provider a little more, I learned that Kobo is a word scramble of the word Book. I personally thought that it is quite clever.

 

As I know now of Kobo I will make sure that my soon to be published book will be available will be available in their catalogue as well. That means the research was a win-win for me.

 

But let’s look at Kobo’s Libra and Clara eReader options in more detail.

 

Specifiactions Libra Clara
Dimensions 5.7″ x 6.3″x 0.3″ 6.3″ x 4.3″ x 0.3″
Weight 6.3 ounces 4 ounces
Screen size 7″ diagonally 6″ diagonally
Storage 8 GB 8 GB
Batterie life weeks weeks
Waterproof no no
No Glare yes yes
Jack no no
Bluetooth no no
Resolution 300 PPI 300 ppi
Price $169.99 $119.99

 

 

Conclusion

 

If you are like me and work on a computer storage space on my device is never enough. However, I have never run out of space on my iPad, which has 64 GBs. So how much storage space do I need for my device? If I only read books on my eReader I think 8GB should be plenty of reading space. 8 GB means I could save 6,000 books on one device alone. 

 

The Kobo eReaders sound nice and they have a great price point. However, they don’t tick all of my boxes. They are not waterproof and don’t have Bluetooth. That means I am unable to load audiobooks on them.

 

Kobo seems to have a substantial amount of ebooks in their catalogue as well. So, if I would create an account, I presume it would be as easy to brows and buy e-books from them.

What am I going to get?

 

To be honest, it looks like a case of Kindle vs. Kindle. The only reason being is that they have all the requirements, which I am looking for in an eReader. Even though the most popular device seems to be the Paperwhite, I am leaning towards the Oasis. I know it is more expensive, but there is something said about the ergonometric. As a matter of fact, I just bought my first proper (ergometric) office chair in my life because of back pain. 

 

On a general note, I find it very interesting that the devices, at least the Kindles don’t contain chargers, only a charging cable. As I am not that into technical stuff I had learned the hard way that phone chargers are not strong enough after I tried powering up my JBL Bluetooth speaker. However, my iPad charger does the trick.

Are you browsing for a new e-reader? What are you planning to get?