This article relates specifically to audiobooks. For questions about how to read your ebooks, please see our article: How will I get my ebooks, and what platform can I read them on?
Digital rewards for audiobooks are available through the backer survey Digital Downloads page. These books are available only after fulfillment for the book, and only for backers with applicable rewards.
Additionally, The Way of Kings Prime and Dragonsteel Prime audiobooks are available as free downloads directly from our store for your enjoyment! Take a peek at what could have been in these stories from Brandon's early days as a writer!
How to Access Your Audiobooks
When a digital book is fulfilled, applicable backers will be sent an email containing a link to a download page listing all digital rewards fulfilled so far for that campaign. Downloads or other digital rewards may also be accessed at any time after fulfillment by logging in to 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. However, you can feel free to try them all!
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 chosen audiobook player. See below for possible listening options or methods based on 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 chosen audiobook player. See below for possible listening options or methods based on 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 our "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! This marks a major shift in the market and we are 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 use 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.
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 high 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 platform. Free and open source, VLC allows you to play M4B book and MP3 files.
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 platform. Free and open source, VLC allows you to play M4B book and MP3 files.
There are many more highly rated audiobook apps than those discussed here. An internet search may help you locate many great resources and step-by-step instructions for adding and listening 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.
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.