Podbooks: Time to 'fess up and explain all
Several people have asked for a tutorial on making podbooks, or at least how to convert MP3s into M4Bs so they will file in iTunes' Audiobooks folder. It's so embarrassingly easy I hate to confess in public, but here goes:
If you are lucky enough to own a Mac: Spend $10 on the wonderful program Audiobook Builder.
You then: 1) open it and set a very few simple preferences, 2) create a project, 3) title your project (or not: doesn't matter; you'll probably just finish the one 'book then start another one. I use the same untitled project over and over, just closing the final window when done and not saving, then choosing Open an Existing Project when asked), 4) type in title and author in the window that opens, 5) drag in your artwork (again, or not: you can add it later in iTunes), 6) click the Chapters button, 7) add your file or files chosen from the source buttons in the window), 8) click Finish, 9) click Build Audiobook.
Your completed podbook is sent to an Audiobook Builder playlist in iTunes and the file is filed in the Audiobooks Folder. To view/change any tab, including those you haven't chosen to view in your iTunes window, go to the menu item File, scroll to Get Info, and click.
If you want to keep to the standard format I've set up so all related 'books will show together in iTunes when you click on the various tabs, (you can also change someone else's tabs so they will show as you want them to), I use:
Name= Title
Artist= Author (Author)
Album Artist= Reader (Reader)
Composer= Artist (Cover Artist)
Album=Initials of Fandom (SGA, SPN, etc.)-pus story title
Art can be clicked on and deleted from the art tab. New art can be added from a file or dragged into the window.
For a PC, I know of no program comparable to Audiobook Builder that builds an entire 'book as easily or as cheaply, but I just went searching and Audio Converter claims it will convert MP3s to M4Bs and AACs (also audiobooks). It costs $23.98 but has a free trial download period. After the conversion it should throw your podfics into iTunes' Audiobooks folder and give you the bennies of the format; whether you choose to add artwork and fill in the tabs to customize them in iTunes as explained above would be up to you.
I'm trying to 'book as many podfics as possible. I'm mostly limited by wanting them to look nice, with pretty cover art. I'm also limited by needing to contact readers, authors, and artists (where they've already made art for a story, I'm asking them to make art, or I'm hoping they'll let me use their art) for permission before compiling podfics into podbooks, and in some cases then posting the 'books. Then, of course, there's simply the time involved, and the growing number of podfics being made (yay!).
I've been very gratified by your response to my efforts. It's obvious you guys like podbooks and want more of them. I hope this post makes it easier for you to get them.
ETA: loves_bitch said in comments over at podslash that she is using the free PC MP3 to Ipod software Audio book Converter and that so far it works wonderfully.
If you are lucky enough to own a Mac: Spend $10 on the wonderful program Audiobook Builder.
You then: 1) open it and set a very few simple preferences, 2) create a project, 3) title your project (or not: doesn't matter; you'll probably just finish the one 'book then start another one. I use the same untitled project over and over, just closing the final window when done and not saving, then choosing Open an Existing Project when asked), 4) type in title and author in the window that opens, 5) drag in your artwork (again, or not: you can add it later in iTunes), 6) click the Chapters button, 7) add your file or files chosen from the source buttons in the window), 8) click Finish, 9) click Build Audiobook.
Your completed podbook is sent to an Audiobook Builder playlist in iTunes and the file is filed in the Audiobooks Folder. To view/change any tab, including those you haven't chosen to view in your iTunes window, go to the menu item File, scroll to Get Info, and click.
If you want to keep to the standard format I've set up so all related 'books will show together in iTunes when you click on the various tabs, (you can also change someone else's tabs so they will show as you want them to), I use:
Name= Title
Artist= Author (Author)
Album Artist= Reader (Reader)
Composer= Artist (Cover Artist)
Album=Initials of Fandom (SGA, SPN, etc.)-pus story title
Art can be clicked on and deleted from the art tab. New art can be added from a file or dragged into the window.
For a PC, I know of no program comparable to Audiobook Builder that builds an entire 'book as easily or as cheaply, but I just went searching and Audio Converter claims it will convert MP3s to M4Bs and AACs (also audiobooks). It costs $23.98 but has a free trial download period. After the conversion it should throw your podfics into iTunes' Audiobooks folder and give you the bennies of the format; whether you choose to add artwork and fill in the tabs to customize them in iTunes as explained above would be up to you.
I'm trying to 'book as many podfics as possible. I'm mostly limited by wanting them to look nice, with pretty cover art. I'm also limited by needing to contact readers, authors, and artists (where they've already made art for a story, I'm asking them to make art, or I'm hoping they'll let me use their art) for permission before compiling podfics into podbooks, and in some cases then posting the 'books. Then, of course, there's simply the time involved, and the growing number of podfics being made (yay!).
I've been very gratified by your response to my efforts. It's obvious you guys like podbooks and want more of them. I hope this post makes it easier for you to get them.
ETA: loves_bitch said in comments over at podslash that she is using the free PC MP3 to Ipod software Audio book Converter and that so far it works wonderfully.