Audio and Download Versions

Audiobooks are single-voiced readings of the novels. I have only licensed them as unabridged versions, although these cost more to the consumer, because I do not feel the Falco novels in particular could be satisfactorily cut down. Various actors read the different books. People ask what choice I have in the reader: sometimes I am sent tapes to listen to and can comment on my preference, though availability is crucial. The books have to be recorded at the right time to coincide with publication of the printed edition.

You will find details of what has been licensed under each title on our Publications page. They are often available in libraries or you can buy your own copies. The earlier books may not be easily available but later ones are available from both BBC Worldwide UK and US.

Visually impaired people in England can get special audio copies (read by a different actor) from the RNIB. You have to be sight-impaired and use a special device.

Downloads: E-Books

This is a new and complicated area. Even publishers are having difficulties deciding how to license e-books, whether to offer them themselves, how much to charge, how much to pay authors, and so on.

As I write this (July 2009), not many of my books are available. Because I don’t deal with the e-book companies myself (my print publishers do that), I do not have enough information to put beside each title whether it is available, and from whom. I am sorry.
What I do know is this:

• The newest titles, or reissues in America, are most likely to be available.
• Older titles have to wait in the queue of whoever is licensed to produce them (may be more than one company and version) and they are not giving priority to old titles.
• Prices vary: shop around
• My older contracts did not include digital rights, and although I am broadly sympathetic to the idea, you may have to wait while my publishers change the contracts. Sometimes I am waiting myself to hear what terms they offer.