New Julian Fellowes book to be released simultaneously by RNIB Library

 

Blind and partially sighted readers can enjoy Julian Fellowes’s new book ‘Belgravia’ before it is published in hardback or paperback.

The ‘Belgravia’ audio book, read by actress Juliet Stevenson, will be available to read on RNIB Overdrive at the very same time as it is released each week on a special app and via Audible.

Julian Fellowes’s ‘Belgravia’ is an innovative app launching on 14 April, which brings the Dickensian serial into the digital age.  It will be available as a free download to smartphones and tablets.

This is the first time that RNIB Library has simultaneously released serialised content in this way.

Lord Fellowes is a strong supporter of RNIB and Chairman of the Talking Books Appeal. The Talking Books service provides more than one million audio books every year to people with sight loss

Julian Fellowes said: “As a supporter of RNIB for many years, I know how important it is to blind and partially sighted people to be able to experience the joys of a good story. I am especially proud and delighted that ‘Belgravia’ will be released on RNIB Overdrive, for people with sight loss to enjoy, on the same day as it becomes available to the rest of the public. This is very important to me.”

Mark McCree, RNIB Libraries and Heritage Senior Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be releasing Julian Fellowes’ new story ‘Belgravia’ on RNIB Overdrive before the hardback is even published.

“We’re excited to see a publishing model which shares the story via audio first. Our partnerships with publishers like Orion at Hachette are vital to the continuing journey of making new titles like Belgravia available simultaneously from RNIB library.”

The first two chapters are published on Thursday 14 April. The eleven chapter long story will twist and turn through cliff-hanger endings in a series of weekly instalments, released every Thursday on RNIB Overdrive. ‘Belgravia’ reaches its conclusion at the end of June, when RNIB library will have the full audio book as well as giant print and Braille versions available.

 RNIB Library is the largest in the UK for people with sight loss. RNIB Overdrive is now free to join and has over 20,000 titles alongside Belgravia. To find out if you’re eligible contact Overdrive.Mailbox@rnib.org.uk. To sign up you can call Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or to join online at http://shop.rnib.org.uk/talking-books-subscription.html.

Talking Books are also available on DAISY CD or USB stick. The complete Belgravia story will be available on these formats from 30 June, the same day it is published.