April 2024 News Roundup
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.
Podcasts and Audiobooks: A vocal synergy
Even though the voice is the unique selling characteristics for podcasts and audiobooks alike there tends to be a difference. [Source: theverge.com ]
Spotify is letting authors market like musicians
Combined with a promo page and countdown clock, the feature allows authors to engage in fandom in a way that is more typical of music than publishing. [Source: radiodayseurope.com]
Listening habits
Bedtime stories for adults
For those past the age of a parental tuck-in, audiobooks might provide a soothing analogue. [Source: nytimes.com ]
FEED YOUR EARPODS
3 Body Problem: Rosalind Chao Reads New Edition of the Audiobook
The Three-Body Problem is the first book by Liu Cixin in the Remembrances of Earth's Past trilogy, followed by The Dark Forestand Death's End. [Source: bleedingcool.com]
Most-Banned Book in the U.S., ‘Gender Queer,’ Will Be Released as an Audiobook
In May, Listening Library will release a full-cast audiobook production of the graphic novel, featuring Kobabe reading as emself. [Source: themarysue.com]
The business of audiobooks
Disney Veteran Michael Paull Named RBmedia CEO
In a statement, Aaron Tolson, managing director at H.I.G. Capital, said that Paull's "experience is a great fit with the audiobook market and will be invaluable in guiding RBmedia to the next level.” [Source: publishersweekly.com]
Local libraries struggle to afford soaring demand for eBooks and audiobooks
With eBooks and audiobooks becoming increasingly popular among readers, libraries across the nation are struggling to afford the increasing demand for digital content. [Source: kwqc.com]
BEYOND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Spanish Audio Surges in U.S. and Latin America
At the inaugural Audio Day Parix meeting in Madrid in late February, Audiobook Publishers Association executive director Michele Cobb told attendees that Spanish-language [Source: publishersweekly.com]
Kuku FM Inks Content Licensing Deal With Sweden-Based Storytel
This strategic partnership comes at a time when India’s audio streaming industry is witnessing rapid growth [Source: tennews.in]
Book podcasts and audio books a new growth area: Bologna Book Fair Conference
Podcasts are helping to sell books and they are creating their own revenue stream as well,” publishers told the trade conference that accompanies the exhibition. [Source: radioinfo.com.au]
Arabookverse Is Beat Technology’s Entry Into the Middle East
The newly announced agreement will support Arabookverse’s Arabic-language audiobook offerings, using Beat Technology’s services. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
AI News
Innovative AI Brings Renowned Author’s Voice to Audiobook Realm
As Legaturn Publishing prepares to foray into a significant number of AI-driven audiobooks spanning a variety of authors, the endeavor has not been met without contention. [Source: elblog.pl]
HarperCollins Partners With ElevenLabs AI on Non-English Audiobooks
The agreement will lead to the production of audio versions of select deep-backlist series books that would not otherwise have been created. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
Interviews & Podcasts
Michele Cobb on Why She Loves Audiobooks
Listen in to hear all about Michele’s work in the world of audiobooks and podcasts, what she loves about the Behind the Mic podcast, and what she looks for in her next featured audiobook. [Source: lithub.com]
out of the box
Calibre Audio celebrates 50th anniversary with audiobook writing competition
The first prize winner in each category of the competition, whose winning story will include a print disabled character, will have the opportunity to visit the Calibre Studio in Buckinghamshire to record their story or hear their story being recorded for inclusion in the Calibre Collection. [Source: thebookseller.com]