November 2025 News Roundup
This month, as leaves magically blanket the earth with color, Harry Potter fans are cozying up to the new Audible full-cast release. And yet, there is other news. Sounds True founder Tami Simon remains with Sounds True after Macmillan’s acquisition. Narrator and educator Elizabeth Wiley passes the torch to her students. Audible captures Live theatre in audiobook format. Librarians are frustrated with licensing. And in regional news; an audiobook summary app in Somalia, angel investors show support for UK-based startup Xigxag, NYU collaborates to offer publisher training in Sharjah, UAE, and audiobooks have surpassed ebooks in the Mexican market.
General News
Wiley makes her voice heard — through audiobooks
Students who pursue theatre degrees may find a foothold in a field that’s booming: audiobook narration. [Source: news.wm.edu]
Library users outraged over reason some audiobooks not available on Libby
Cathy Mason, the library’s digital buying lead, said that the library does not have many options when it comes to Audible Exclusives, except to buy other titles. [Source: nbc4i.com]
The business of audiobooks
Macmillan Acquires Sounds True’s Book, Audio Businesses
According to the Macmillan announcement, the deal includes all backlist works, forthcoming titles, and original audio content. [Source: publishersweekly.com]
Audiobooks surpass ebooks in Mexican market
After 2024’s big unit sales for books, the Mexican market, says Roberto Banchik, is working on transportation and distribution costs, and piracy, amid industry consolidation. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
Audiobook firm xigxag turns up volume on growth plans
Xigxag, founded in 2019 by Kelli Fairbrother and Mark Chaplin, has secured funding from a group of leading angel investors. [Source: bdaily.co.uk]
Regional News
How Bookoob Is Reimagining Learning for Somalis Everywhere
Bookoob, the audiobook-summary app launched in July 2025, is transforming how Somalis learn, listen, and engage with global ideas in their own language. [Source: hiiraan.com]
Training Programme For Arab And African Publishers Launches In Sharjah, UAE
The program, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority in collaboration with New York University, focused on key industry priorities such as managing audio content, developing audiobook strategies, expanding family-run businesses into international brands, and exploring new digital distribution models. [Source: onearabia.me]
FEED YOUR EARPODS
Harry Potter and the Souped-Up Audiobooks
“It is certainly the most ambitious project we have ever done,” said Aurelie de Troyer, Audible’s head of European content, who oversaw the project, co-produced by Pottermore Publishing. [Sources: nytimes.com, thetimes.com]
Theater on Audiobook: 10 from Minetta Lane or Broadway.
Audible commissioned theatre productions at the Minetta Lane Theater with the mission of turning live theater productions into audiobooks. [Source: newyorktheater.me]