Audio Publishers Association Conference

AGENDA & SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

all times Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

All Speaker Information Found Here

11:30 AM-12:50 PM | What’s Next in Audio? Audio Publishing executive panel moderated by Jim Dinegar (with APAC Chairs Introduction)

12:50 PM-1:00 PM | Short Break

1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Models and Methods—Adapting to Trends and Change in Audiobook Marketing

1:00 PM-2:00 PM | A Narrator Prepares

1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Art of Storytelling

2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Networking

3:00 PM-4:00 PM | “The Audiobook Was Better”

3:00 PM-4:00 PM | Casting and Auditions

3:00 PM-4:00 PM | The Business of Audiobooks

4:10 PM-5:10 PM | Self Publishing & Distribution

4:10 PM-5:10 PM | Veteran Voices, New Landscapes: Adapting Your Audiobook Career to Industry Change

4:10 PM-5:10 PM | Narration Roulette

5:10 PM-6:10 PM | Networking Social #2

APAC CHAIRS

Adam Fritz - CEO, Pozotron, Inc. (APAC CO-CHAIR)
Brad Hill - Associate Publisher, Harper Audio (APAC CO-CHAIR)

Keynote - What’s Next in Audio? Audio Publishing executive panel moderated by Jim Dinegar

A panel moderated by APA Executive Director Jim Dinegar with executives from across the Audio Publishing industry for a wide-ranging chat about the audio industry, growth trends and new markets, amongst other hot button issues.

Speakers:
Ana Maria Allessi - President, Hachette Audio
Amanda D'Acierno - President, Penguin Random House Audio Global
Troy Juliar - Co-President and Chief Content Officer, RBMedia
Colleen Prendergast - Associate Director of Licensing, Spotify

Business Track Sessions

• “The Audiobook Was Better”

Audiobook productions are more innovative and interesting than they’ve ever been, but what is the ROI on these enhanced productions? This session will dive into the listener data behind creative productions, dual/duet narration, and other trends that are driving audio production forward.

Moderator:
Abigail Marks - Producer, HarperCollins

Speakers:
Almeda Beynon - Director of Audio Production, Sourcebooks Audio
Ally Demeter - Producer, Macmillan
Iris McElroy - Executive Producer, Penguin Random House Audio

• Models and Methods—Adapting to Trends and Change in Audiobook Marketing

Every audiobook is created differently, and so is every marketing campaign. This session will include a deep dive into 3 case studies in audiobook marketing including a big 5 publisher, an audiobook-specific publisher, and a hybrid publisher focusing on micro marketing campaigns.

Moderator:
Darcy Piedmonte - Director, Customer Acquisition & Success, NetGalley

Speakers:
Allison Carney - Executive Director of Marketing, HarperCollins
Corrin Foster - Vice President of Book Promotions and Marketing, Advantage Media Group
Anna Goolsby - Content Marketing Manager, Dreamscape Media LLC

• Self Publishing & Distribution

The global self-publishing market is projected to reach $40 billion by 2030, and self-published authors over index in audiobook creation. In this 4-person panel, we’ll discuss how authors, distributors, publishers and retailers can make the most of this insight.

Speakers:
Savannah Breckenridge - Senior Marketing Manager, Simon & Schuster
Andrea Fleck-Nisbet - CEO, Independent Book Publishers Association
Victoria Gerken - Publisher, Podium Entertainment
Natalie Ponte - Business Development, Libro.fm

Production Track Sessions

• A Narrator Prepares: A discussion on script preparation and research techniques for the audiobook professional.

Join narrators Ramon de Ocampo and Khristine Hvam, along with a panel of seasoned industry experts, for an in-depth conversation on the art and strategy behind crafting great audiobook performances.This session explores the essential steps of script preparation, character and world-building research, and the practical tools professionals use to deliver authentic, compelling narration. Whether you're a working narrator or an aspiring professional, you'll gain insight into the techniques that elevate an audiobook from good to unforgettable.

Speakers:
Erin Bennett - Narrator & APA Vice President, Voice Talent Communications
Khristine Hvam - Co-Founder, Curated Audio
Ramon de Ocampo - Narrator
Sara Pagluica - Producer, Audible
Ray Porter - Narrator

• Art of Storytelling

Explore the nuances of delivering powerful, engaging narration. Our panel of industry professionals will share techniques, challenges, and best practices for adapting your storytelling approach to any production – from an in-studio, directed, multicast title to a solo narration in a home studio. We’ll also explore how experience in theatre, on-camera performance, and previous creative works can inform and elevate narration.

Moderator:
Mandi Ogle - Producer, HarperCollins Publishers

Speakers:
Elise Arsenault - Award-Winning Narrator, Director + Coach, The Global Actor / TreeCave Creative LLC
Tim Bader - President, Tim Bader Audio
Kamala Garrett - Producer, HarperCollins Publishers
Daniel Henning - Narrator / Publisher, Starshells of Madness
Bahni Turpin - Narrator
Tomeka M. Winborne - Audiobook Director / Filmmaker / Author, Lavender Reel Media Group, LLC

Casting and Auditions

How to get auditions, book the gig, and keep casting professionals coming back for more.Hear tips and tricks about how to get hired for audiobook narration at this panel of casting directors, producers, and narrators.

Speakers:
Khai Dattoli - Executive Casting Director, Podium Entertainment
Rinn Kraus - Producer, Spotify Audiobooks
Jorjeana Marie - Narrator, Superbloom
Elishia Merricks - Producer, Macmillan
Robin Miles - CEO, Voxpertise, Inc
Jonathan Pennock - Producer, Brilliance Publishing

• The Business of Audiobooks

What does it really mean to treat your narration career like a business? In this APAC session, industry pros from both the production and narration sides break down the essential dos and don'ts of building a successful audiobook career. Learn from their wins, their missteps, and their insider strategies to help you navigate the industry with clarity and confidence.

Speakers:
Jennifer Jill Araya - Narrator
Karen DiMattia - Vice President, Audio Production, Penguin Random House Audio
Chris Ciulla - CEO, Producer, Director, Narrator, Leonardo Audio
Jessica Kaye - Co-Owner, Curated Audio
Khristine Hvam - Co-Founder, Curated Audio

• Veteran Voices, New Landscapes: Adapting Your Audiobook Career to Industry Change

This session is designed specifically for veteran audiobook narrators navigating a rapidly changing industry. Whether you’ve recorded hundreds or thousands of titles, you’ve likely felt the shift: evolving stylistic expectations, expanded technical responsibilities, and accelerating advancements in AI that are reshaping both narration and post-production. We’ll explore how performance trends have changed and how experienced narrators can adjust their approach without losing the authenticity and craft honed over years. This session offers grounded guidance, honest reality checks, and actionable pathways to help long-established narrators stay relevant, resilient, and in demand—no matter how the landscape continues to evolve.

Speakers:
Andrea Emmes - Narrator
Tyrrell Harrell - Founder/Director, TYDEF Studios
Robin Miles - CEO, Voxpertise, Inc
Thérèse Plummer - Narrator
Erin de Ward - Narrator, deWord Audio

• Narration Roulette

A live, virtual showcase where professional narrators perform short, cold-read scripts they’ve never seen before. It’s fast-paced, spontaneous, and hilarious. The randomness keeps it exciting, and the “roulette” theme means anything can happen. Narrators will be chosen at random, and occasionally be thrown for a loop when the directors give them instructions on the text that may just take an actor out of their comfort zone. You never know what might come next, but rest assured, you’ll be on your toes! Come have some fun and celebrate the art of human storytelling and our community at Narrator Roulette!

Moderator:
Lauren Klein - Producer, Penguin Random House

Speakers:
Julie Wilson - Director of Casting, Digital Production Platforms, & Strategic Partnerships, Senior Executive Producer, Penguin Random House Audio
Dan Zitt - Senior Vice President, Content Production, Penguin Random House Audio

• Networking Sessions(In addition to two social networking hours, attendees will also have the option to choose a breakout room on a specific topic, moderated by the speakers below)
  
  2:00 - 3:00pm ET Networking Breakout Rooms
  
  Transition from Narrating to Producing Breakout Room
  Erin Bennett - Narrator & APA Vice President, Voice Talent Communications
  Stephen Graybill - Casting Director, Podium Entertainment
  
  Casting and Auditioning Breakout Room
  Rinn Kraus - Producer, Spotify Audiobooks
  
  Marketing and Audiobook Reviews Breakout Room
  Darcy Piedmonte - Director, Customer Acquisition & Success, NetGalley
  
  Keeping Skills Up To Date Breakout Room
  Emily Pike Stewart - APA Vice President
  
  Colleen Prendergast - Associate Director of Licensing, Spotify
  
  Audiobook Branding Breakout Room
  Julie Wilson - Director of Casting, Digital Production Platforms, & Strategic Partnerships, Senior Executive Producer, Penguin Random House Audio
  
  5:00 - 6:00pm ET Networking Breakout Rooms

  Transition from Narrating to Producing Breakout Room
  Erin Bennett - Narrator & APA Vice President, Voice Talent Communications
  
  Casting Breakout Room
  Khai Dattoli - Executive Casting Director, Podium Entertainment
  
  What Producers Expect Breakout Room
  Jessica Kaye - Co-Owner, Curated Audio
  
  Keeping Skills Up To Date Breakout Room
  Emily Pike Stewart - APA Vice President