March 2026 News RounduP
In March the audiobook community put on the glitz at the 2026 Audie Awards, then a panel at the London Book Fair proposed an end to the “is listening reading” debate. Spotify and Audible continue to roll out new offerings including “charts”, “read-along” and new subscription options. The Washington Post, techbuzz.ai, neowin.net and androidpolice.com weigh in on the pros and cons. A former Wondery exec takes on a slate of programs at Audible, The Spoken Word podcast kicks off a new season, ElevenLabs expands its catalog, and AI takes center stage at Parix Audio Day in Madrid. Charge your earbuds to immerse yourself in Shakespeare’s sonnets, an Adjoa Andoh narration of Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi, and a jazzy adaptation of the famous O. Henry story, A Retrieved Reformation.
General News
2026 AUDIE Awards Winners announced
The 2026 Audies Gala was held at Pier 60 in New York City on March 2, 2026. [Sources: audiopub.org, People, Kirkus Reviews, Publishing Perspectives]
How to try ‘immersive reading’
Listening to an audiobook while reading along offers a new way to experience literature. [Source: washingtonpost.com]
The Great Audiobook Debate: “readers” engage with stories
In a panel at the London Book Fair, audiobook experts discuss the much-asked question and why that may be the wrong question to ask. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
Two Librarians and a narrator talk audiobooks
I sat down with two local librarians and a Bellingham-based audiobook narrator, to learn how audiobooks are recorded, what makes a good one, and whether or not the industry is under threat of artificial intelligence. [Source: cascadiadaily.com]
The business of audiobooks
Publishers Must Take Advantage of Growing Audio Market, Often with AI
The third annual Parix Audio Day in Madrid highlights how publishers can and should take advantage of growth through technology, marketing tools, and use of AI. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
Audible Enlists Former Wondery Exec to Lead Original Content Slate
Marshall Lewy (former chief content officer at Wondery) will oversee audiobooks as well as immersive audio dramas, podcasts, Audible Theater and more. [Source: hollywoodreporter.com]
Why Spotify's new audiobook charts could make it harder to find complex stories
New real-time charts favor engagement over sales, potentially shifting how stories are written. [Source: neowin.net]
Audible Undercuts Spotify With New $8.95 Standard Plan
Amazon's audiobook platform launches lower-priced tier to compete in streaming audio wars. [Source: techbuzz.ai]
Pros and cons of the new Audible subscription option
Enjoy the low monthly cost but the catch is you need to stay subscribed to listen to your books. [Source: androidpolice.com]
Graphic Audio United-CWA Worker Layoffs
The layoffs include many of the workers responsible for producing the company’s signature dramatized audiobooks. [Source: cwa-union.org]
Specific markets
Audible Expands Platform to 11 New Markets, Including Sweden
Audible will roll out these localized user experiences through a strategic collaboration with Amazon. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
AI News
Bookwire, ElevenLabs Team on AI Audiobook Production
The partnership has the potential to significantly expand the catalog available on ElevenLabs' ElevenReader app. [Source: publishersweekly.com]
FEED YOUR EARPODS
Adjoa Andoh Has Narrated Half Your Favourite African Audiobooks, Now She Gives Voice to Saara El-Arifi’s Cleopatra
Andoh's relationship with African literature in audio is a long and distinguished one. [Source: brittlepaper.com]
Patrick Stewart Performs Shakespeare’s Complete Sonnets in New Audiobook
"I hope these recordings create moments for listeners to recognize themselves in his words," says the acclaimed actor and narrator of the project. [Source: people.com]
Interviews & Podcasts
INTERVIEW: Musical theater stars assemble for new audiobook project
Titled Following Jimmy Valentine, the project is an audio adaptation of the famous O. Henry story A Retrieved Reformation, and listeners can expect a touch of jazz, some comedy and lots of noirish fun. [Source: hollywoodsoapbox.com]
The Spoken World podcast kicks off Season 2 with interviews, news and conference recordings
The program’s host, Christopher Kenneally says, “From AI-generated narration to immersive soundscapes, new markets to new languages, new audio sales channels and business models – listeners will learn about it on The Spoken World podcast.” [Source: newsbywire.com]