Is Podcasting Your Novel Worth It?

I love podcasts. I listen to them while cleaning the house or cooking dinner. A few years ago, I discovered Podiobooks. I used to love to go there and pick out a novel to listen to while I was busy around the house. I don’t use the site much anymore, because it seems to be mostly genre fiction that doesn’t interest me very much.

There was a time when podcasting was a great way for indie authors to get heard. People like Scott Sigler and J.C. Hutchins were blowing up the podcasting scene. That might not be entirely true, but it’s certainly the way it seemed to me at the time.

Podcasting your novel was a way to build a fan base and kick start book sales. It doesn’t seem like that’s the case anymore though. I never hear about indie authors podcasting their novels anymore. Is podcasting your novel worth the hassle? Can it still be used as a vehicle to get a fan base?

I’m probably trying to hitch a ride on a boat long after it’s sailed, but I’ve decided to podcast my first novel. I’m a bit of a podcast nerd, and the idea of recording my own book makes me feel really good. I know that some indies are doing audio books now and hiring actors to record them, but that’s not really my thing. When I listen to a novel, I love it when the author is the one actually reading it to me.

I’m about half way through recording my novel right now. Once I’m done I’ll submit it to Podiobooks and start posting it here. It will take a little time before I can figure out if it is indeed worth the effort. I’m hoping it will be, because I’d like to podcast all of my books eventually.

Photo by ethanhickerson