This article relates specifically to audiobooks. For questions about how to read your ebooks, please see this article: How Will I Get My Ebooks, and What Platform Can I Read Them On? https://support.dragonsteelbooks.com/en/support/solutions/articles/66000501331
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Who will narrate?
Isles of the Emberdark, the new Secret Project, will be narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya and Kaleo Griffith. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading narrated Dragonsteel Prime and The Way of Kings Prime audiobooks. Those books are available as free downloads on Dragonsteel’s website. While it will not receive new audio with this project, Words of Radiance was also narrated by this legendary duo.
For more informaiton on our wonderful narrators, please see below:
Jennifer Jill Araya (https://www.jenniferjillaraya.com/)
Kaleo Griffith (https://www.kaleogriffith.com/)
Michael Kramer and Kate Reading (https://www.katereadingaudiobooks.com/)
When Will I Receive My Audiobooks?
Digital rewards for audiobooks are available through the backer survey’s digital downloads page. These books are available once fulfillment for the book begins in fall of 2025 and only for backers with applicable rewards.
Additionally, The Way of Kings Prime and Dragonsteel Prime audiobooks are available as free downloads directly from Dragonsteel’s store (https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/collections/ebooks?page=1) for your enjoyment! Take a peek at what could have been in these stories from Brandon’s early days as a writer!
How Will I Access My Audiobooks?
When a digital book is fulfilled, applicable backers will be sent an email containing a link to a download page. There, you will find a listing of all released digital rewards available to you from that campaign. Downloads or other digital rewards may also be accessed at any time after fulfillment by logging into a backer’s survey on BackerKit.
There are multiple ways to listen to your audiobooks. All options provide the same material, so you only need to pick one. Feel free to try any and all of them!
1. MP3 Direct File Download: To download audiobook files in MP3 format, click the “Download” button next to the “Audiobook—MP3” listing for the book desired. Once downloaded, unzip the files into a single folder, and then add the book to your chosen audiobook player. See below for possible listening options or methods based on the platform or device being used.
2. M4B Direct File Download: To download audiobook files in M4B format, click the “Download” button next to the “Audiobook—M4B” listing for the book desired. Once downloaded, add the book to your chosen audiobook player. See below for possible listening options or methods based on the platform or device being used.
3. Spotify or Speechify Code: Audiobooks from the “Surprise! Four Secret Novels by Brandon Sanderson” campaign included codes to redeem and listen to the books via Spotify and/or Speechify. Follow the instructions included with the code on the downloads page for code redemption.
4. Audible: As part of the “Words of Radiance Leatherbound by Brandon Sanderson” campaign, all backers with Audible accounts had the option to receive a redemption code for the new Secret Project, Isles of the Emberdark, if they pledged for an applicable tier or add-on. Audible codes and redemption instructions will be available after fulfillment through the backer survey digital downloads page. Dragonsteel has not fulfilled any other audiobook through Audible.
Dragonsteel is excited to be a part of a historic change affecting the future of the audiobook publishing industry. After many conversations and a lot of hard work, Brandon has negotiated better terms coming later this year for authors publishing on Audible. You can read more about it in Brandon’s blog post (https://www.brandonsanderson.com/regarding-audible/). This marks a major shift in the market and Dragonsteel is proud to be at the forefront of this movement.
For listening to the downloaded MP3 or M4B files, here are some options based on your device:
Computer/Laptop
iTunes is one of the top free programs for listening to audiobooks on Windows. With the ability to import multiple MP3 files and flag them as a single audiobook, native M4B support, and the ability to keep track of your place while listening, this program will meet all your basic audiobook needs.
On Mac, you can use the free Books app that comes pre-installed. Not only can you use it to read ebooks AND listen to audiobooks, but you can also sync those ebooks and audiobooks with your iPhone and iPad devices!
VLC media player is an excellent option for playing your media files on any platform. Free and open source, VLC allows you to play M4B book files, or save a playlist out of multiple MP3s for your audiobook. The downside is, you may need to search the settings to enable resuming playback, or use bookmarks to save your place.
Links
Importing to iTunes (https://support.apple.com/en-ng/guide/itunes/itns3081/windows)
Import to Mac (https://support.apple.com/guide/books/import-books-audiobooks-or-pdfs-ibkseed72068/mac)
iTunes (https://www.apple.com/itunes/)
Syncing audiobooks between devices(https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/sync-audiobooks-to-your-device-mchlf764c5a4/mac)
Syncing ebooks between devices (https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/sync-books-to-your-device-mchl562e1847/mac)
VLC playlists (https://wiki.videolan.org/Documentation:Playlist/)
VLC media player(https://www.videolan.org/vlc/)
iPhone/iPad
You can load your ebooks AND audiobooks on the Books app on your Macbook, and then sync the ebooks and audiobooks with your iPhone and iPad devices!
BookPlayer is a highly rated, free app for iOS devices. We suggest using the M4B file when importing to BookPlayer.
VLC Media Player is an excellent option for playing your media files on any device. Free and open source, VLC allows you to play M4B book and MP3 files.
Links
BookPlayer app (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bookplayer/id1138219998)
Import ebooks to mac (https://support.apple.com/en-ng/guide/books/ibkseed72068/mac)
Sync audiobooks (https://support.apple.com/en-ng/guide/mac-help/mchlf764c5a4/mac)
Sync ebooks (https://support.apple.com/en-ng/guide/mac-help/mchl562e1847/mac)
VLC app (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vlc-media-player/id650377962)
VLC importing audiobooks (https://github.com/TortugaPower/BookPlayer/wiki/FAQ#how-to-import-audiobooks-into-bookplayer)
Android Phone or Tablet
Smart Audiobook Player is a great app for listening to audiobooks. With many features included for free, this app has everything you need to listen to your audiobooks, with even more features available through an inexpensive full version upgrade.
VLC Media Player is an excellent option for playing your media files on any device. Free and open source, VLC allows you to play M4B book and MP3 files.
Links
Smart AudioBook Player (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ak.alizandro.smartaudiobookplayer)
VLC for Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videolan.vlc)
There are many more highly rated audiobook apps beyond those listed above. An internet search may help you locate additional resources for step-by-step instructions to add and listen to your audiobook on your selected device.
If you wish to test downloading and adding an M4B or MP3 audiobook to your device, Brandon’s audiobooks for The Way of Kings Prime and Dragonsteel Prime are available for free download on our website.
Note
Dragonsteel is unable to provide technical assistance in downloading these files or adding them to your device, regardless of the methods or apps you use. You are responsible for knowing and understanding how to access, download, and import your digital rewards, or for obtaining competent assistance. Dragonsteel makes no warranty or guarantee in regard to the use of programs or methods discussed in this article.