I signed off yesterday’s #AskWatson with a little teaser as to a problem I faced using Google to narrate my books.
Honestly, it had me in knots for reasons I’ll explain.
Anyone who’s read more than six of my emails will understand exactly why in a moment, but all I can say is that I “yielded” on a policy I’ve maintained for nearly two years.
Two long, glorious years.
However, all is not lost.
I’ve already deployed some “disincentives” to counterbalance these changes to ensure Legionnaires still come out as the true victors.
Anyway, enough rambling.
What “policy” have I been practically forced to drop by the mighty Google that had me staring at the ceiling at 3 AM?
My anti-retailer policy.
You see, to use their virtual voice narration service, they require both the e-book and audiobook to be made available for readers to buy on their Google Play Store in order for me to snag the audio file and distribute it via my own sales channel.
That’s their caveat.
And putting aside my (strong) feelings about retailers, I understand it.
It’s their proprietary tech, and they want their own readers to benefit from it.
Makes sense.
It just doesn’t feel great after a two-year hiatus. Almost like I’ve taken the knee to a sworn enemy that also happens to be a vegan. Perhaps these feelings will alter with time, who knows? But on the plus side, this gives a very rare opportunity to readers who have pestered me about not being on retailers to grab my books for as long as my twitchy fingers allow.
However, it comes at a cost, which aptly leads me to the “disincentives” I spoke about.
To make my return to retailers from voluntary exile a little less… uncomfortable, I have invoked a couple of “new” policies.
Namely:
1. My books will cost MORE on retailers. In some cases, much more than what you’ll bag them for in my Storehouse.
2. Legionnaires not only get the best prices and exclusive offers by shopping direct, but they will also get EARLY ACCESS to all new releases an entire week before they roll out to retailers.
These are some pretty heavy-hitting policies that are designed NOT to penalise readers beyond the Legion, but rather to encourage them to travel a different road to the one retailers have paved, which are sadly throttling their favourite authors.
And if they’d prefer not to, that’s fine too.
As for the digitally narrated audiobooks that forced about these changes:
They are now available for The Divided Region at my Storehouse.
Yes, you can now read — I mean, listen — to Exiled, Forbidden Forest, Last Alliance, and One True King for the first time in audio. Better yet, if you grab the Audiobook Starter Bundle, you’ll also be locking it in at the lowest price you’ll ever get ‘em for.
Once I move over to ElevenLabs’ (superior) narration, the prices will hike for reasons outlined in yesterday’s email.
However, if you grab any of my audiobooks now, you’ll automatically receive the upgraded version for free.
To preview the audiobooks, scroll down to the product description here:
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/divided-region-starter-bundle
DJJW