To add to this month’s publishing news for indie authors …
Just when I thought February couldn’t get any better for Chained Birds โ after celebrating the book’s availability in ALL formats on Bookshop.org โ Spotify dropped a game-changing feature called PageMatch that’s giving Amazon’s whispersync a run for its money ๐
Introducing PageMatch: Your Reading-Listening Superpower ๐ง๐
If you’ve ever been torn between reading a physical book at home and switching to the audiobook during your commute (or vice versa), Spotify just solved that problem. Their new PageMatch feature lets you seamlessly sync your progress between print and digital book versions … as in a paperback of Chained Birds and my author-narrated audiobook on Spotify. (It’s under Spotify Premium, included at no extra cost if you’re a subscriber).
Yes, you read that right. You can now scan a page from your physical book with your phone’s camera, and Spotify will jump to that exact spot in the audiobook. Or if you’re listening and want to pick up reading where you left off, PageMatch will guide you to the precise sentence in your book.
This is basically magic. โจ
How PageMatch Works: The Tech Behind the Magic
PageMatch uses computer vision and optical character recognition (OCR) to match text passages with the audiobook’s timestamp. Because it’s matching text rather than page numbers, it works across different editions โ whether you’ve got the Chained Birds premium 6ร9 hardcover with dust jacket from Bookshop.org or are reading the eBook version on your phone or tablet (also available from Bookshop.org.)
PageMatch Versus Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice
Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice has been doing something similar since 2012. Whispersync is the Everything Store’s cloud-based synchronization service that automatically aligns your “furthest page read” on a Kindle eBook to its Audible audiobook counterpart. But this only works in the Amazon ecosystem.
The beauty of Spotify’s PageMatch is that you can syncย anyย book print copy withย any eBook/eReader version, purchased from anywhere, to the audiobookย on Spotify.
How to PageMatch Switch from Book to Audiobook
Here’s how to make the jump when you’re ready to go hands-free:
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- Open the Mobile App: Launch Spotify and navigate to the audiobook you’re listening to. If PageMatch is enabled, it will say so as shown in the screenshot of the Chained Birds audiobook.
- Tap Page Match: Look for the Page Match button (or “Scan to listen”) on the book’s detail page.
- Scan the Page: Point your camera at the physical book or e-reader page you’re currently reading.
- Sync and Play: Once Spotify matches the text, you’ll see a “Play from here” option to resume the story in audio format โ right where you left off in the text.
How to PageMatch Switch from Audiobook to Book
Heading home and want to curl up with the physical book? Here’s how to find your spot:
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- Select “Scan to Read”: Within the Page Match menu, select the option to find your place in the physical book.
- Scan Any Page: Scan any page in your physical copy or e-reader so the app can orient itself.
- Follow Navigation: The app will guide you by telling you to flip forward or backward.
- Find the Passage: Spotify will highlight the exact sentence on your screen or display “Page matched!” once you reach the correct spot.
Pretty cool, right? ๐
Usage Tips & Availability
Availability: PageMatch is rolling out to all users globally and is expected to be fully available for most English-language titles by February 23, 2026. So if you don’t see it quite yet, check back in a few days.
Lighting Matters: For the best results, use bright, even lighting and ensure your book pages are flat to avoid glare or distortion. (I learned this the hard way while testing it out in my dimly lit reading nook. ๐ )
Award-Winning Audiobook, Now Even More Accessible
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that in December 2025, my author-narrated audiobook of Chained Birds was honored as Best Crimemoir of 2025 by AudiobookReviewer.com. ๐ That award means the world to me, especially because narrating my own story was one of the most vulnerable creative experiences of my life.
Now, with PageMatch, more readers can experience that narration โ and switch effortlessly between formats as their day (or mood) demands.
Bookshop.org + Spotify: A Match Made in Indie Heaven ๐
And speaking of partnerships that make my indie author heart sing โ Bookshop.org is teaming up with Spotify to bring a “get a copy for your bookshelf” feature coming this spring. From what I understand, this means listeners on Spotify will be able to click a link that takes them directly to Bookshop.org to purchase the print version.
So not only can you listen to Chained Birds through Spotify Premium, but you’ll soon be able to grab a physical copy to support your local indie bookstore โ all without leaving the app. This is the kind of reader-first, author-friendly, bookstore-supporting ecosystem I am here for. ๐
The Indie Author Ecosystem Keeps Getting Better
Between Bookshop.org adding eBooks to their platform (as I wrote about last week), Draft2Digital expanding distribution options, and now Spotify rolling out PageMatch, this is an incredible time to be an indie author. These platforms are building tools that prioritize readers and creators โ not just the Everything Store’s bottom line.
When I reclaimed my publishing rights last summer and went independent under Crimemoir Press, I knew I’d be doing everything myself. But I also knew I’d have the freedom to partner with platforms that share my values. Moments like this โ seeing Chained Birds available in every format, on platforms that support indie bookstores and innovative reading experiences โ remind me why I made that leap.
Try PageMatch with CHAINED BIRDS Today
If you’re a Spotify Premium subscriber, Chained Birds: A Crimemoir is already included at no extra cost. Click that link or search for it in the app, hit play, and when you’re ready to test out PageMatch, grab your physical copy and give it a try.
And if you don’t have a physical copy yet? Well, Bookshop.org has you covered in every format โ paperback, hardcover, eBook, and audiobook โ with every purchase supporting local independent bookstores. ๐
Here’s to reading (and listening) however the heck you want. ๐ฅ
My Next True Crime Book, THE JACKLIGHTER, is Now on Kickstarter!
Take a look and “Follow” for updates to be the first to know when the campaign goes from pre-launch to live-for-backing ๐ซถ
And for My Thriller-Writing Besties …
Carla Conti is a journalist and the award-winning author of Chained Birds: A Crimemoir. Her next true crime book, The Jacklighter, is set for release in 2026. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, who supports her true crime habit.
