Did someone say “audiobook?”

One of my dreams since I first began publishing was to have my works recorded as audiobooks. But it can be an expensive endeavor, particularly for authors of series or really long standalones (yes, I’m calling myself out here.)

I know there are relatively cheap alternatives to traditional audiobook production, the first being the royalty-share option through ACX. But that was never really an option for me. I don’t like being tied exclusively to one platform (not only would I be missing out on a good number of potential readers, but ACX’s policies aren’t exactly great. This video explains it pretty well.) The second alternative is even worse, and if you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know my stance on AI in the creative spaces: I won’t stand for it.

So… I was left with the more expensive option. Save up to produce the audiobook with a professional recording company.

Which leads me to today’s big announcement:

Exile is getting an audiobook!

Last month, I signed a contract with Lantern Audio to produce the audiobook for Exile. My original plan was to produce one of my standalones first, and since my best-selling standalone is Wraith and the Revolution, it seemed a natural place to start. However, Wraith is also my longest book. When the quote came in, I realized I could produce both Exile and Guardian for about the same price.

So I shifted focus and decided to run with my best-selling series first. (Yes, I plan to produce the other three books in the series too!)

A couple weeks ago, Lantern sent me 7 narrator auditions for Exile. It was so much fun to hear them tell Andrew Caein’s story (even if it was only 4 ½ minutes of it!) I returned with my top 2 picks, and was ecstatic when my first choice accepted the project.

Steven Molony will be narrating Exile, and recording should start next week.

When will the audiobook be available?

Based on the timeline I was given, post-production should wrap up at the end of October. Lantern Audio will be distributing it on a huge number of platforms (pretty much anywhere audiobooks are available), but at this time, I don’t have a set date for when. It might be in November, but will definitely be available before the December holidays. The recording and post-production has to finish before we can start discussing dates.

I’ll post updates here on my blog as things progress.

In the meantime, just know that this is happening, and I am beyond excited for it! (And the wait for book 2 shouldn’t be long…)