GhostReader - text to audio on a Mac

This software looks interesting: GhostReader from ConvenienceWare. It will translate text on your computer, from public domain novel downloads to email & news site text, and convert to audio speech in a variety of selectable voices. I especially like the suggestion to use the software to convert your own writing to speech for proofreading - or is that prooflistening? It will even read foreign language text. Price seem resonable at $39.95.

Image from http://www.convenienceware.com/

book launch 2.0

Oh hai- there's one thing you forgot! How about doing your own podiobook?

Get Caught Listening!

Great news! The Association of American Publishers, promoters of the "Get Caught Reading" PR effort, will introduce a new campaign during Book Expo America. Audiobooks will be the target of the new Get Caught Listening website, which includes audioclips, downloadable posters, materials for teachers & parents, and more. Authors featured on the site include Valerie Bertinelli , Chelsea Handler, Jackie Collins, Garrison Keillor, Brad Meltzer, Lisa Scottoline, Frank McCourt, Pearl Cleage, Marci Shimof, and L.L. Cool J (Platinum Workout, Rodale). Thanks, Publishers Weekly, for getting out the word on this great new promotion.

Listen to this short promo for audiobooks from L.L. Cool J. Very cool, indeed! And check out this poster of Dr. Seuss' Horton - complete with headphones!
Images from www.getcaughtreading.org/listening

The ongoing debate: The Future of Reading

Ezra Klein, in the May/June 2008 Columbia Journalism Review, examines The Future of Reading in an article that centers on the Kindle, but makes many observations that pertain to audiobooks. You can even watch a YouTube video where he discusses the issue, with a great use of The Little Engine That Could as an argument for content over medium. I particularly like this quote from the article:

"Pessimists have been predicting the death of books for what seems like forever. In 1894, Scribner’s Magazine published an article lamenting their destruction at the hands of audio. “Printing,” the author wailed,

which Rivarol so judiciously called the artillery of thought, and of which Luther said that it is the last and best gift by which God advances the things of the Gospel—printing, which has changed the destiny of Europe, and which, especially during the last two centuries, has governed opinion through the book, the pamphlet, and the newspaper—printing, which since 1436 has reigned despotically over the mind of man, is, in my opinion, threatened with death by the various devices for registering sound which have lately been invented, and which little by little will go on to perfection.

One hundred and fourteen years later, printing is still around. But it did not win the battle against audio. Rather, the two entered into comfortable coexistence. Turned out that there were some things audio was simply better for. "

Image from www.cjr.org

The Audies Award: Children Ages Up to 8

The final group of youth titles, those nominated for the "Children Ages up to 8" category, have been posted on AudioFile Magazine's Earshot! Podcast series that highlights the Audio Publishers Association's Audie Award . You can hear short audio clips of all of the "Ages up to 8" titles on the podcast: In Aunt Giraffe's Green Garden (HarperAudio), Goodnight Hawaiian Moon (Banana Patch Press), More About Paddington (HarperAudio), Ogre in a Toga (Bolinda Audio), and The One and Only Shrek! (Macmillan Audio). Click here to listen to the podcast. Check out ALL of the audiobook nominees on the Audies website - click "Read reviews of the audiobooks" to see the complete list and make your predictions on the winners that will announced on Friday, May 30!

I hope you didn't miss my post on the "Children Ages 8-11" category and the "Children Ages 12+" category. Be sure to listen to the snippets of those great titles. Good luck to the producers of all the nominees!

Image from http://www.audiopub.org/

Capstone Interactive Books - Embracing the Medium

When I talk about audiobooks, you'll often hear me chanting my mantra "Embrace the Medium." So you can imagine my excitement about Capstone's new Interactive titles. Their website says the titles are "like an e-book with super powers" and I agree! You can purchase the print book, audio CD, or interactive CD-Rom - and even an online site license. Learn more on their website here or click this autoplay demo to see how animation, music, speech bubbles, and sound effects are combined to make the story come alive. There are picture books, nonfiction, and graphic novels available in the format. Some titles are in both Spanish & English. There are website links, a glossary, about the author and illustrator information, teacher materials, and more. What a great way to capture reader attention with high-interest material that truly embraces the medium!

Image from www.capstoneinteractivelibrary.com

Audies nominees ages children 12+

Check out the newest AudioFile Magazine's Earshot! Podcast that features nominees in the Audio Publishers Association's Audie Award "Children Ages 12+" category - basically the Teen/YA category. You can hear short audio clips of all of the titles on the podcast : Bloody Jack (Listen & Live Audio), Interworld (HarperAudio), A Mango Shaped Space (Recorded Books), M is for Magic (HarperAudio), and Slam (Penguin Audio). Click here to listen to the podcast - and make your predictions on the winner that will announced on Friday, May 30!

I hope you didn't miss my post on the "Children Ages 8-11" category. Be sure to listen to the snippets of those great titles. Good luck to the producers of all the nominees!

Image from http://www.audiopub.org/

Cut MP3 files into shorter tracks with Audiobook Cutter

Do you download free audiobooks from your public library’s Overdrive or NetLibrary service? Are you frustrated when the audiobook downloads are large MP3 files that are difficult to navigate on your player? Here is an awesome free program for your computer: Audiobook Cutter from sourceforge.net. Super-simple drag and drop interface, with the option to split tracks into the length of your choice, offering the opportunity to rename the tracks as you wish. You can even watch a how-to video on installing and using the program from the Show-Me Do site. This is a must-have for Windows users who want to split audiobooks (or any MP3 file) into shorter segments!

Image from http://audiobookcutter.sourceforge.net/

United Through Reading: A great way to honor the mother who read aloud to you!

As Mother’s Day approaches, take time to learn about a wonderful program that helps connect parents with their children through books. The power of hearing a story read aloud by a distant mother or father helps create bonds across time & space. Whether in the military or in prison, parents are able to provide emotional and educational benefits for their children via United Through Reading. I am making a donation as my mom’s Mother’s Day gift, in honor of the endless hours she read to me. Here's easy way to support the group: Barnes and Noble will donate 5% of your purchase to this group if you shop online through a link on the United Through Reading website. If you are looking for a service project for your school or public library, consider raising funds and donating to this worthy cause.

You may also want to check to see if there are any local programs in your area such as New Jersey’s Project Storybook - or start your own!

Image from www.unitedthroughreading.org

Star Wars Betrayal - free audiobook!

Here's a great promo - the new Star Wars title, Legacy of the Force Betrayal, available as a free ebook AND audiobook - as a MP3 download, no less. Listen to a clip here. Be sure to hurry - the deal is good until May 13th. Plus, I love that Random House is using the promo website as a place to post the terrific Making of a Star Wars Audiobook video I posted here back in December. You must watch!

Image from www.randomhouse.com