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This is a general introduction to the concept of Podiobooks. How they work, where to find them and how you can listen to them.

When people or first hear about Podiobooks, the typical reaction is usually “Huh?” They are unfamiliar with the concept, and are not sure what to make of the convergence of the ancient art of storytelling with modern technology. The first stories were part of an oral art tradition, closer to singing than the printed book. Stories have existed for much longer than the written word, passed down from generation to generation, until someone had the bright idea to drag a stick across the mud in complex forms. You can also think back to the dawn of radio, with audio dramas like The Shadow thrilling a generation of young listeners. Podiobooks have much in common with these early shows, and the technology behind them is accessible to even the most basic of computer users.

So, let’s take a look at exactly what a podiobook is, and how you can listen to one. At its simplest, a podiobook is a collection of MP3 files that people can download and listen to on their computers, MP3 players or cell phones. Authors record their entire books, and release them, usually a chapter at a time. Most authors attempt to release an episode every week, but this schedule is not written in stone. Over the course of a year or two, the author will finish recording, and you have a complete novel to listen to.

Finding and subscribing to podiobooks could not be simpler.  Most books have unique websites, where you can subscribe to the RSS feed to have the latest chapter delivered to you through Google Reader or iTunes as often as each episode is released. You can also wait for the whole book to be finished and download the entire thing at once, and listen to it like an audiobook. Finding each author’s site can take time, so you can also go to a few different places and look at collections of podiobooks.

You can go to two main sources. The first is Podiobooks.com, and the second is the iTunes store. Podiobooks.com is the premier website to find free books (full disclosure, I have novels available there). They have over 300 novels with a wide variety of genres and listening styles available. Their catalogue includes bestselling author Scott Sigler, social media phenomenon J.C. Hutchins, and zombie author James Melzer, who just signed a deal to have the first book in his Zombie Chronicles book published by Simon and Shuster. From the Podiobooks site, you can select a variety of books, and have them downloaded to you according to your predetermined schedule. You can listen to the stories when you want, using any MP3 playing technology you have. You do not need an iPod to listen to podcasts! 

Going through the iTunes store is just as easy.  Simply go to the Podcasts section, to Audio Podcasts and then Literature. You can search through the collection there and see how popular different books are, and if anyone has rated or left comments.

Another great source for podiobooks and audiobooks is LibriVox.org. This site has an army of volunteer readers recording public domain works. Their goal is to have audio versions of every public domain book available.  They are open source, and totally free.  This can be an excellent resource if you want to listen to some classics, such as James Joyce or Arthur Conan Doyle. They have thousands of books, and are an excellent way to start your journey into podiobooks.

You can listen to podiobooks while driving to work, exercising, or walking the dog. They are a fun and easy way to find some new and great authors, or listen to old favorites. So go ahead, play around on those sites or on the iTunes store. You’ll find something you like, and have fun doing it.