The April news roundup includes reports of increased activity for audiobooks in a variety of languages including Spanish and Arabic, new AI alliances, marketing strategies, bedtime stories, the most banned book and the struggle for libraries to keep up. An interview with Michele Cobb and a unique anniversary competition rounds out this month’s news.

The news roundup was put on hold to celebrate the Audie nominees and winners so we return with a full line-up of updates. Spotify and Apple were prominent in the news with disputes, growth and recovery. Read about the exciting growth, forums and events in the Spanish market. Celebrate Women’s History Month with recommendations by the Washington Post and be sure to read the delightful account of an author’s audiobook production journey from audition to awe. New growth at RB Media, Blackstone and Storytel were in the news. And the roundup wouldn’t be complete without suggestions for better listening as well as new developments in AI. But narrating 900 feet deep in an abandoned silver mine? That’s definitely out of the booth… I mean box!

Audiobooks contribute to growth for publishers as well as listeners of all ages. This month read about the audiobook market share, a survey from the School Library Journal about young listeners, listeners whose lives are enhanced by allowing audiobooks to keep them company, a celebrated chorus of voices that contributed to a new volume by Ntozake Shange and interviews with Edoardo Ballerini and Grover Gardner. Read about expanding markets for Playaway and Bookwire, the first AI voice rights case in China and get a little techy to appreciate the impact of Spotify algorithms and the delicate ecosystem of content providers, users and advertisers that drive the platform. While you’re in a tech mood, read about Microsoft’s Open AI copyright claims and dig into the psychology of how TSS influences perception. To end in a positive light… read about the New York Times Book Review’s commitment to audiobook coverage.

This month two superstars dominate the audiobook news… actually, make that three superstars! Beyond the glamour, the motivation and educational benefits of listening to audiobooks are evaluated by psychologists and librarians. Also in the news, a new partnership for comic lovers, the industry down-under and the ever-evolving bumpy road of using of AI voices.