May/JUNE 2024 News Roundup
The May-June news roundup includes press pickups of the APA’s Sales and Consumer Survey reports, the AAP’s sales report, celebrations of June Is Audiobook Month, annual summer listening guides, and a unique use of an audiobook in a court case.
APA Sales & Consumer Survey Press Release Pickup
The APA’s report that audiobook revenue and the number of listeners continue to grow caught the eye of a number of news outlets. Per 2024 consumer data, more than half of the US population 18+ has now listened to an audiobook. [Sources: Publishers Weekly, Publishing Perspectives, Library Journal, and Voice Over Xtra]
The business of audiobooks
AAP REPORTS DIGITAL GROWTH
In its look at Q1 2024, the Association of American Publishers’ StatShot analysis sees audiobooks up 15.3%. [Source: Publishing Perspectives]
Amazon Faces Class Action Alleging Audiobook Monopoly
Author CD Reiss alleges the e-commerce giant also penalizes authors who distribute their titles on other platforms, including by denying exclusive platform options on Amazon. [Source: Bloomberg Law]
AUDIOBOOKs SURGE on SPOTIFY
Another survey found Spotify audiobooks continue gaining in popularity, but compensation questions remain. [Source: Publishers Weekly]
The MLC Sues Spotify for Bundling in Audiobooks
News of the lawsuit comes a week after Billboard estimated that bundling would cause a loss of $150 million in royalties for songwriters in the next year. [Source: Billboard]
Sound Off: What's New in the Audio Market
Publishers Weekly offers a guide to the publishers, platforms, and production companies bringing you the best in audiobooks this season. [Source: Publishers Weekly]
Transforming Teen Reading with Audiobooks
For libraries looking to engage with teens in their community, and especially boys, audiobooks are the way to go. [Source: American Libraries]
FEED YOUR EARPODS
AudiobookS for long-haul listening
Some books sprint; others take the scenic route. The heady, highly absorbing titles here earn their marathon run times. [Source: The New York Times]
audiobooks for your summer travels – by trip Length
No matter how long your journey, you can be immersed in a good story. [Source: Washington Post]
Celebrate Audiobook Month with These Picks
Whether it’s a memoir narrated by the author or a sweeping fantasy epic, here are eight excellent audiobook picks from the staff of Voices.com. [Source: Voices.com]
BEYOND THE UNITED STATES
A Majority of Canadians Now Get Their audiobooks for Free
For the first time in their survey, BookNet Canada reported readers across all formats were acquiring books from free sources more than from paid sources. [Source: Publishers Weekly]
Popularity of audiobooks continues to grow in Canada
The Canadian reader’s preference for audiobooks has been rising (from 8 per cent in 2019 to 13 per cent in 2023). [Source: The Suburban]
audiobooks as a rising literary innovation
Audiobooks are popular with urban Gen Z populations in Kenya. [Source: The Star]
SOUTH AFRICAn author shares benefits of audiobooks
“There is such value in listening to a story being told and following along in the book to take in the illustrations which enhance the storyline,” the author said. [Source: Northglen News]
out of the box
Prosecutors Use Hunter Biden’s Audiobook Memoir Against Him
Prosecutors played long excerpts from the audiobook of his memoir, which the president’s son narrated himself. [Source: The New York Times]
