June 2025 News Roundup
The APA 2025 Sales and Consumer Survey results indicate that audiobook appreciation is on the rise… and not just in June. This month we share a tribute to an audiobook pioneer, announce new audio awards, tips for increasing retention, an exciting partnership for music lovers, the costs of bundling and distribution issues and AI hesitancy at the U.S. Book Show 2025. Google makes advances with its AI voice generator, Eleven Labs is spotlighted in Publishers Weekly, a new AI production tool is released in Korea, and the First Lady produces her memoir using AI technology. Kid Cudi shares his enthusiasm of the human narration process with his fans. Brazil reports market growth, while a group of publishers in Poland await government approval for a joint sales platform, and Audible takes immersive listening to a new level at OZ Comic-con Melbourne.
General News
Obituary: Barbara Holdridge, the audiobook pioneer
In 1956 Barbara Cohen [Holdridge] and Marianne Roney [Mantel] published a recording of Dylan Thomas reading A Child's Christmas in Wales under their label, Caedmon Records, establishing the first company specializing in what we now call audiobooks. [Source: observer.co.uk, publishersweekly.com]
London: New British Audio Awards, the ‘Speakies’
The producers behind the British Book Awards in London announce a new British Audio Awards program, first prizes in November. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
Digital Reading Among Students Hits Another Milestone
Sora report reveals a second consecutive year of record-breaking ebook and audiobook usage, underscoring the growing role of digital reading in classrooms. [Source: eschoolnews.com]
I Finally Figured Out How to Make Audiobooks Stick—My 5 Top Tips
Audiobooks broken into short, well-defined chapters work best for passive listening. You can pause the narration, reflect, and digest the content bit by bit. [Source: makeuseof.com]
Audiobooks and AI: Why Storytelling Is Better Off Human
Audiobooks with high-quality narration are more popular and better received. To achieve consistent high quality, human narration is a must. [Source: creators.com]
St. Pete publisher offers free audio books for kids in preparation for hurricane season
Sparks Creative Stories uses storytelling to comfort kids’ storm anxieties. [Source: cltampa.com]
The business of audiobooks
2025 APA Sales and Consumer Survey results in the news
Increased audiobook sales as reported by the 2025 APA Sales and Consumer Survey were featured in Publishers Weekly, Publishing Perspectives, and cited by a number of other sources not listed here. [Source: publishersweekly.com, publishingperspectives.com, publishersweekly.com(new listeners)]
PW Studio: Music Makers
Spotify has partnered with Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 music series to give fans insight into their favorite albums. [Source: publishersweekly.com]
NMPA counts costs to publishers of music+audiobooks bundles
The US National Music Publishers Association held its annual meeting this week, and audiobook bundles were among its key talking points. [Source: musically.com]
Amazon must face authors' lawsuit over audiobook distribution, US judge rules
The lawsuit seeks more than $5 million in damages and class action status for thousands of authors. [Source: reuters.com]
Regional News
Polish Publishers Hope To Open an Audiobook and Ebook Platform
At least nine publishers in Poland are hoping for government approval to create a joint audiobook and ebook sales platform. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
Brazil’s Publishers Release New Book Market Research
Brazil’s book market is reported to have grown in 2024, with digital content at nine percent of revenue. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
Selvas AI in Korea announced Audiro, a new AI audiobook self-production service
"We are focusing on creating an environment where anyone can easily produce audiobooks so that the unique content owned by creators can be delivered in more diverse ways," a Selvas AI official said. [Source: mk.co.kr]
FEED YOUR EARPODS
Kid Cudi Teases Audiobook Version Of His Memoir With Emotional Preview
The recording artist stated that he was recording the audiobook of his memoir-the unfiltered story of his life. [Source: celebrityinsider.org]
AI news
The first lady says she's proud to be at ‘the forefront of publishing’s new frontier’
Melania Trump releases audiobook of her memoir ‘created entirely’ with AI. [Source: thehill.com]
Mendoza novel gets AI audiobook treatment
The audiobook of Mendoza's Pulitzer Prize-nominated novel Journey of the Spirit Man was created using AI narration technology from Amazon. [Source: lascrucesbulletin.com]
U.S. Book Show 2025: AI Looms Large Across Publishing Sectors
On AI narration, Dan Zitt expressed the hesitancy around unreservedly embracing new AI tools. [Source: publishersweekly.com]
Gemini TTS Native Audio Out : The Future of Human-Like Audio Content
Google claims Gemini TTS doesn’t just replicate speech but redefines it, offering a level of expressiveness and realism that feels almost human. [Source: geeky-gadgets.com]
Spotlight on Eleven Labs
How one AI company makes audio content sound so real. [Source: publishersweekly.com]
Something outside the booth
Audible’s Audiobook Escape Room Is Turning Up The Volume
The ‘Audible Secret Library’ is an audiobook inspired escape room experience designed to transport players into the heart of their favorite action and adventure audiobooks. [Source: bandt.com]