Iain Banks releases new book via podcast

One of Britain's most established novelists is to release his next book via serialised podcast.

Speaking at the Edinburgh Book Festival Iain Banks (who also writes science fiction under the name Iain M Banks) said that his new novel, Transition, will be released over the internet as a serialised podcast, despite his unfamiliarity with the medium.

"I'm not really a podcast person," he said.

"I've lots of iPods but I don't actually do podcasts. I've never bought, or downloaded illegally either I hasten to add, any music."

"This is why I've got a reputation as a technophobe, although how you can describe a man now on his third generation iPhone as a technophobe I fail to see quite frankly."

Starting on 3 September, the publishers will release 24 episodes of the book, lasting 15 minutes apiece, every Thursday and Saturday.

The experiment is being watched keenly by publishers, who are considering investing in what could be a very profitable form of delivery.

Banks added that he was happy he wasn't going to be taking part in the podcasts.

"Someone once said I had a face for radio and a voice for mime," he said.

18 Aug 2009