I have done an audio version as people know of Mo Sgéal Féin - available for free download on my site. And I could do a few more such things also for free. But do people think there would be a demand for many more such audio files on a commercial basis? Realistically, from my own pocket, I can provide a few audio sets. But if I did it commercially, I could try to get audios recorded of hundreds of books - all the famous books - and go to the all the Gaeltachtaí to get them - Peig, an tOileánach, Go mBíodh Ruball ar an Éan - you name it. They could all be done more perfectly in recording studios. It might be difficult to break even, as large numbers of people would be required to make it profitable, but even if I didnt fully break even, I could still do it. What do people think? I would need to sign commercially robust contracts with the readers...

This is only thinking off the top of my head. How much would people pay for the right to listen to an audio file? Price it for lifetime? Or price it for a year's listening? Or ask them to join a club and listen to all audios available for a month? How could I go about getting my website organised to deliver that level of service, with passwords and all? Any tips would be gratefully received. I'll wait and see if Litriocht starts doing these though, just in case, as I wouldn't want to cut across anything they were doing.

(Message edited by david_w on April 07, 2010)

My opinion:

For a niche market, which Irish is, mp3/audiobooks is very untapped. As for price, you have to match similar services. Look on Amazon at their downloadable audiobooks. Make a ratio of length to price amount. And calculate your costs. Then add in a modest profit. You can't go much higher or you won't sell them. Also you can do it for low cost (relatively), but the front end will be a lot, as it always is. It's a good idea.

I recently downloaded Mo Sgéal Féin from your site and even though I haven't listened to it all yet I have been meaning to contact you to thank you for providing it.

I certainly would pay for this book and probably other audio books in Munster Irish (especially books from Muscraí). I may not be as likely to buy books in the other dialects but I'm sure there are plenty of other people who would rather books from Conamara, Donegal, etc.

On the matter of how to charge maybe you should look at a once off payment to download the files or to be sent CDs. This might be easier for both you and the customers. Just a suggestion though and I'm sure other people may have better ideas and information.

Thanks again for Mo Sgéal Féin.