What is Playaway?

We all learn something new everyday right? Well Playaway is new to me…so if you don’t know what it is or would like to learn more come learn with me!

First things first, their website is awesome! And easy to navigate so follow along here if you want to take a look. 

Playaway is a pre-loaded audiobook. It gives the user the ability to take it on the go and listen to bestselling audiobooks to new releases wherever they go. And the best part is, you can get it at the library! This device is durable and doesn’t require wifi for use! And if you want to listen in the car and don’t want to put headphones on..no worries the universal jack is compatible with auxiliary cords too!

So visit your nearest library and see if you can take out a Playaway. And more good news! One of our newer audiobooks Savage Row by Britney King is now available on Playaway!

Happy Listening! 

November Audiobook Publications

November has come and gone, but these audio books are here to stay! If you are looking for a great new audio book keep scrolling, because we have a lot to offer. 

We work hard alongside our authors to give the audience a different approach to a novel. An audiobook can help you visualize the characters and story better in your own mind by listening to it. Allow your eyes to rest, and your imagination to take over. 

Which one is your favorite?

New Just Broke…

We’re going to sum everything up: the APA (Audio Publishers Association) reported the rise in audiobook sales in 2018 being 24.5%!

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According to Publisher’s Weekly, this is a more accurate percentage. It’s accounting for sales receipts rather than estimated sales. Over 91% of audiobook sales are coming from a digital format…we’ve entered the digital age! Kidding, we’ve been living in it for quite some time now!

The more popular genres include general fiction, mysteries/thrillers/suspense, and sci-fi/fantasy. Nonfiction sales have risen and represent 32.7% of units sold in 2018; starting with general nonfiction, history/biography/memoir, and self-help.

The age group dominating a little over 91% of sales are adults. Young adult titles increased by double digits and audiobooks geared for children rose moderately.

Production of audio has risen 5.8% from 2017!

(This report was based on figures from 20 publishers, including all Big 5 houses.)

Whipping a Blade

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Urumi

  • It’s a sword. It’s a whip. It’s very easy to hurt yourself when wielding this weapon.
  • Before dabbling into the art of the urumi, one is supposed to have knowledge with a sword. It’s meant to be the last weapon learned in a certain type of martial arts.
  • This originated in South India/Sri Lanka in the Sangam Period, or the 3rd – 5th century BCE.
  • The Urumi is best used against multiple enemies, if swarmed in battle.

Hurling Questions

Not only are we a super-cool blog on the internet, talking about the ins-and-outs of publishing and writing, but we’re a literary agency, first and foremost!

Some things you may wonder about us (or agencies in general) may be misguided by other postings on the internet. It’s best to ask the source directly to find out if the match is real! This doesn’t go for us, it goes for anyone you manage to get in touch with!

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  1. Ask the individual you’ve made contact with how they got to where they are (in life, not your inbox.) Knowing our background helps give you perspective on our passions and how they may or may not coincide with yours.
    1. A great follow-up is asking how long we’ve been in the biz. Passion and credentials.
  2. Sales are really important in this part of the business. Don’t shy away from asking. We won’t give you the nitty-gritty details but we will tell you bout some of our accomplishments as of late!
  3. Before you query, ask us if we’re looking! And if we are, what are we looking for! Each agency has criteria (and posts it on their website most likely) which must be met. Realistically speaking, “The Great American Novel” is not one of them.
  4. Our expertise is important to note as well. Each agency covers every aspect of publishing, but sometimes – sometimes – you’ll come across an agency that’s REALLY good at something. What is it?
  5. Communication is so important to both agency and client. Get it done as soon as possible: how would you like to touch base with your agency? Establish it! Most situations now involve email, but who knows, we can set up calls, video chats, dinner and a movie (no book adaptations, thank you)…(totally joking!)

The most important thing to remember is every agency is different and the people within differ from the others you may have spoken to. It’s always good to keep an open mind to whoever you come across, inside the publishing world and out!

March Madness in Terms Of…

Audiobooks!


♥ Ava Mason

Elizabeth and the Clan of Dragons


Michael Chatfield & Dawn Chapman

The Vanguard Emerges


J.R. Rasmussen

The Light At Last


Kathryn Andrews

Unforgettable Sun


Kip Terrington ♥

The Sleeper Must Awaken


Shannon Esposito

Lady Luck Runs Out


Ahren Sanders

Heartthrob


Bobbi Holmes

The Ghost of Second Chances


Cassie-Ann L. Miller ♥

Lover Boy

So Many Hours, So Little Time…

If you missed it, here’s the recap!


St. Skin

London Casey & Jaxson Kidman ♥

Books 2-5 of the St. Skin Series


♥ Cecilia Lane ♥

Dangerous Mate


Christy Pastore

Wicked Gentleman


J. New

An Accidental Murder


Layla Frost

Best Kase Scenario


Meg Anne

Crown of Embers


Nicole French ♥

Legally Ours

Gather Round!

On last week’s episode of Keeping Up With the Audio


♥ B.R. Kingsolver ♥

Witches’ Brew: Dark Streets, Book 3


♥ Bree Livingston ♥

Her Broken Billionaire Boss


Elizabeth Knox

Here Kitty, Kitty


Kathryn Andrews

Starless Nights


Maria Luis ♥

Body Check


Kristin Mayer ♥

Changed by You


Bobbi Holmes ♥

The Ghost and the Doppelganger


Katerina Martinez & Tansey Morgan ♥

Hellfire and Homicide


Kestra Pingree ♥

Saving the Werewolves


Krista Wolf ♥

Quadruple Duty


Lucy Smoke ♥

Heart of Tartarus


R.K. Lander ♥

Road of a Warrior


Shannon Esposito ♥

Karma’s a Bitch

The One, The Only: Sphinx

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Androsphinx Egypt

Living statue with a lion body and human head, tells riddles.

  • Although labeled from Egypt, the sphinx as a whole can be found in many other countries, one being Greece. Since we’re so accustomed to the Great Sphinx of Giza, we tend to forget there are others out there.
  • This particular interpretation is symbolized as the incarnation of the Sun God, Ra.
  • More commonly seen with a lion’s body, it can be found to have a ram or even a hawk’s head. They each have different names and different origin tales!
  • The sphinx is seen as the protector of the land it watches. The body of the sphinx never changes but each head resembles that of what it protects. So, the androsphinx, compared to that of a Pharaoh…watched over the people.
  • Depending on where you are or which one you’re researching, the sphinx can be seen as a monster or keeper of knowledge. You choose which interpretation you decide to pursue