It's already the end of January, and the clock is ticking. I start every year by planning to be organized, to keep to a comfortable schedule, and to strike a healthy balance between my family, my church family, and my writing.
Invariably, I end up a bit overwhelmed--writing deadlines start to pile up and interfere with the extra time I want with family, and I get behind on everything else.
Does your life ever end up that way? I have three book deadlines looming and wish I could create an extra three weeks in February! 😁
One of those deadlines is for the final proof of my first boxed set containing three full-length novels. It will be released May 11th on Amazon. It's up for pre-order now (click here to read more) at a bargain price compared to buying the individual books.
Other authors tell me that many readers prefer boxed sets, so they can easily move through the books in a series. Is that true?
I would love your opinion on boxed sets before I do another for the final three books in this Montana Secrets romantic suspense series. What do you prefer--buying books one-by-one, or buying a boxed set?
I have another question. 😊
Do you prefer audio to e-books or print?
It's very expensive to create an audio book if authors hire professional narrators. Less so, if one does this via a shared royalty contract with that voice talent. But either way, it takes a lot of financial commitment.
I'm seeing quite a few audiobooks for sale created with an AI voice. This doesn't begin to compare with live voice talent, of course, though it is getting much better.
I deeply dislike the idea of AI taking work away from people. But I am wondering about my readers who have visual impairment and struggle to read even the largest font size on their Kindles. Or those who would like to listen to books for sheer convenience.
Have you ever listened to an audio book created in this way? What did you think? Would it be better to skip audio versions altogether until I can afford to have one professionally produced?
I would be so grateful for your opinions! Leave a comment and you will be entered in a drawing for one free e-book of any of my book titles.
Click here to see them (but be sure to click "Sort by date") on the right side of the column, so you don't see very old titles first.
Blesssings,
Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com
If I’m just discovering an author I’m happy for the ease - and discount - of a boxed set. I’m too impatient to wait once I’m hooked on an author and read as released I am a heavy audiobook reader as I can keep reading during all the outside chores and work 🙂. Becca12901 at yahoo
ReplyDeleteBoxed sets are great. Not sure about AI audio since I've not listened to any.
ReplyDeleteI love boxed sets because i do like to binge read series. I read ebooks because its easier to keep a library of my books. I don't listen to audio books because they don't hold my attention because i read so fast, I tend to drift away and lose the plot.
ReplyDeleteMsredk at aol dot com
I prefer reading on my iPad as I don’t have to try to hole the book with my arthritic hands. Boxed sets are great because you don’t have to wait for the next installment in a series!!
ReplyDeletewould try it
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
I love ebooks as it's easier to hold my Kindle than a book due to hand issues. I listen to audiobooks but I DON'T want AI reading them to me - yuck! Excited for your boxed set 🎉 thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletekheldreth@neo.rr.com
I love ebooks, even though it took me awhile to jump on that bandwagon. I hate to confess this, but I've never listened to an audiobook. Maybe I'll have to try one soon; as long as the voices didn't sound too mechanical I don't think I'd have a problem with an AI read one.
ReplyDeletecarrottopfromtexas2@gmail.com
I occasionally read ebooks but have to admit I prefer print books. There’s something about holding the book in your hand and turning the pages is special to me.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy boxed sets because I am a serial binge-reader! I almost always wait until a whole series is released in order to read it.
ReplyDeleteAs for audio or print... I actually read ebooks almost exclusively. Occasionally, I read print books if I win them in a giveaway or something, but other than that, ebooks are just so convenient!!!
Heather Mitchell crhbmitchellfam@gmail.com
Good afternoon, I love listening to audio books in the vehicle , at home I only listen to audio books on CD's or on MP3's as I am not tech savvy at all. I only read book in print . I think boxsets are very nice especially since all the books are right there. I do love to read both standalone and book series. Have a great weekend. Alicia Haney. aliciabhaney(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI have listened to several audio books that were done by AI on YouTube. I wasn't impressed. One took place in the San Francisco area but the AI had everyone using a British accent. If it makes audio books more accessible to people with disabilities, it is worth the down sides but if I were going to buy an audio book it would need a human narrator. I think that truth in advertising is the key. That allows the market to drive things.
ReplyDelete