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The term podiobook was coined by Evo Terra to describe a serialized audiobook that is made available in podcast format.

Description
Like their audiobook brethren, podiobooks are audio versions of fiction and non-fiction books. But unlike traditional audiobooks, podiobooks (also called 'podcast novels') are comprised of serialized audio files that distributed via the RSS 2.0 format. The term podiobook is an amalgamation of podcast and audiobook.

Generally speaking, podiobooks tend to be self-produced, thought there are notable examples of traditional audiobooks being converted into the podiobook format. Authors record and edit audio versions of their books usually on home computers with basic recording equipment. Podcasting, born in the summer of 2004, allows these authors to distribute these audio files to a worldwide audience.

In contrast to audiobooks, many podiobook authors freely add sound effects, bed music and other supporting elements to their audio files. Additionally, most podiboooks include consistent 'intro' and 'outro' elements to each episode, adding to the serialized feel of the content.

Listening Habits
There is no question that the popularity of portable music players such as the iPod have made is possible for authors to reach a wide audience with their podiobooks. However, much of the audio consumption for podiobooks, like podcasts in general, continue to take place at the computer.

Like and podcast, a podiobook comes with a corresponding RSS 2.0 feed, allowing a listener to subscribe to the content with a 'podcatcher', such as the popular iTunes application, or any RSS aggregator that can download enclosed media files. Most of these downloads happen in the background during off-hours and not in real time, adding to the 'listen on your schedule' promise of podcasting.

Once the files have been downloaded, they can easily be moved to any .MP3 player (as .mp3 files are the most common audio format for podiobooks), burned to a CD or listened to right in front of the computer.

Notable podiobook authors

 * Scott Sigler
 * Mur Lafferty

History
January 21, 2005 - Tee Morris releases the first episode of Morevi on The Dragon Page podcast and becomes the first author to release his book in podcast form.

March 25. 2006 - Scott Sigler releases the first episode of Earthcore and becomes the first author to make his book available in podcast-only form.

April 22, 2005 - Podiobooks.com launches, serving as an aggregator, archive and gateway to many of the available podiobooks available.