Scandal Wears Satin Has an Audio Problem

I recently learned from a reader that it is currently impossible to download a legitimate Scandal Wears Scandal audiobook.

Let me just step aside for a minute and swear violently.

OK. I’m better now. Somewhat better.

As happened last year with two other of my Dressmakers books, we have a case of an expired sublicense. Thanks to the reader who called my attention to the problem, I’ve alerted my publisher, who’s proceeding forthwith to reissue the audiobook. Unfortunately, in cases like these forthwith proceeds at a slower pace than we’d like, and this audiobook will not be available until 3 November 2020. I’m not sure why we have a longer wait this time than last time. It might have to do with HarperAudio doing the publishing now. If by any chance the audiobook becomes available at an earlier date, I’ll be sure to let you know.

My apologies for the annoyance. Authors should be issued magic wands to take care of these matters instantly. But then, if I had a magic wand, my current WIP would have been finished a year ago.

The Case of the Disappearing Audiobooks

Temple of the Muses, Finsbury Square, Ackermann's Rpository April 1809

A while back, some of my readers alerted me to a problem with my audiobooks. They were unable to re-download two of the Dressmakers books, Silk is for Seduction and Vixen in Velvet, which they’d previously bought.

Upon checking with my publisher, I learned that the audio sublicenses for these two books had ended. I will not attempt to explain sublicenses or why I can’t just push a button and get things back into print or audio or eBook. I understand it, but explaining it is beyond my powers of articulation. Also boring.

What I still don’t understand is why, once readers have bought the audiobook, they can’t have access to it forever, the same as a print book.

What I can tell you in this particular case is, a license expired and has to be renewed. Apparently, this takes rather longer than it does to renew your driver’s license, because the restart involves a lot of different contracts & technical matters. All this will take a couple of months. Amazon has the two audiobooks as becoming available on 12 November.

I’m very sorry for the aggravation. I am not sure why it happened, but I can say that my publisher immediately went to work to fix it.

Thank you to the readers who let me know, so that we could get the repair process going. And thanks to all of you for being so patient with the vagaries of publishing* as well as my writing!

*My readers in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand are all too familiar with that special circle of hell known as sublicensing.

Mr. Impossible News: Audible Has a Deal for You

Here’s a very nice deal for those of you who like to listen to my books.

My second Carsington Brothers book, Mr. Impossible, will be featured in Audible’s “Choose Your Own” BOGO sale which runs from Monday 14 August through Monday 21 Augustat 11:59 PM PT. This is a members-only promotion where you can get two books for one credit.

The sale will be featured here.

Please be aware that you won't be able to access the sale unless you are a member.