SEPTEMBER 2025 News Roundup
September welcomes a new venture for former Findaway executives, Storytel charts a new course, Audible expands into Mexico and an expanded catalogue of Arabic language books go digital. Spotify partners with TikTok, Google Play partners with FGV Editora in the academic market and ElevenReader launches direct sales. Superman’s Kingdom Come and Truly (super man Lionel Richie’s memoir narrated by Blair Underwood), release in the coming months. Explore audio’s role in memory trust and ROI and more.
General News
Spotify and TikTok Launch ‘Big on BookTok’ Pilot Hub for Audiobook Fans
Book lovers in the US can dive into a dedicated space to press play and discover the audiobooks that are taking over their feeds. [Source: Spotify.com]
5 Reasons audiobooks are a game-changer for professionals
The most successful leaders and entrepreneurs have one thing in common—they never stop learning. [Source: yourstory.com]
The Trade Desk’s Stephanie Famolaro on audio’s role in memory, trust and ROI
‘Audio thrives on immersion and intimacy. Whether it’s an energising podcast or a gripping audiobook, the medium resonates with listeners on an emotional level.’ [Source: mediaweek.com.au]
The business of audiobooks
PW Talks with the Cofounders of InAudio
Former Findaway executives Ralph Lazaro and Blake Squires launched InAudio, an independent audiobook distribution platform. [Source: publishersweekly.com]
how Storytel tuned up for its next step
After a period of retrenchment, Storytel has its sights set on market growth. CEO Bodil Eriksson Torp and chief content and publishing officer Helena Gustafsson explain the company’s plans for the future. [Source: thebookseller.com]
Spotify Expands ‘Follow Along’ for Audiobooks
The Spotify ‘Follow Along’ feature for audiobooks may remind former ‘Kindle in Motion’ fans of enhanced ebooks. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]
Regional News
Audible Sets Its Sights on Mexico, Spanish-Language Expansion
Anasofía Sánchez Juárez, who heads up Audible’s operations in Mexico, stressed that Audible’s expansion into Mexico will be focused on Mexican creators, narrators, and stories. [Source: publishersweekly.com]
DCT Abu Dhabi and Amazon join forces to launch world's largest digital Arabic library
Thousands of Arabic books to go digital, boosting global access to literature. [Source: gulfnews.com]
AI News
ElevenReader Launches Direct Sales for AI-Generated Audiobooks
The company positions its 60% net sales royalty rate as the most competitive in the industry, [Source: publishersweekly.com]
FGV Editora establishes partnership with Google and launches works from its catalog in audiobook format
‘Given that our catalog consists of academic works, we know that not all would benefit from audio narration.’ [Source: portal.fgv.br]
FEED YOUR EARPODS
Blair Underwood Will Narrate Lionel Richie's Memoir Truly — With Richie Lending His Iconic Voice
The print, ebook and audio versions of the musician's new memoir Truly will be available on Sept. 30. [Source: people.com]
Dirk Maggs adapts One of the best Superman comics ever in an epic audio drama
Kingdom Come features a 30-person cast, cinematic sound design, and a stirring orchestral score. [Source: polygon.com]
Interviews & Podcasts
Richard Armitage harkens back to radio plays with new audiobook
After an extensive career in Hollywood and beyond as the star of blockbusters like The Hobbit and TV series like BBC’s Spooks, Richard Armitage has pivoted. [Source: newstalkzb.co.nz]
Audible Desi Crime EXCLUSIVE! Aishwarya Singh Reveals USP In All-New Audio Format
Abhishek Ranjit interviews Aishwarta about Audible's release of its audiobook Desi Crime. [Source: filmibeat.com]
Something Outside the Booth
RSBC London Transforms Bedtime Stories Into Free Audiobooks for Blind Children
When a parent reads a story aloud from the app’s library, it’s transformed into a free audiobook with the help of safe AI. [Source: lbbonline.com]