The Audio Was Better

Each year, the Audio Publishers Association hosts an awards event to recognize excellence in audiobook production  - The Audies.  We sat down with APA Executive Director Michele Cobb to get some background on the impetus of The Audie awards as well as the nomination and judging process.I (Laura) was selected to be an Audie preliminary round judge this year so I broke down my experience and pros/cons of the process.  Finally, we had to give our own predictions on who we think vs hope to win in our most beloved categories, Romance and Erotica.Find out more about the APA at www.audiopub.org and follow them on Instagram @audiobooks

Have you picked up a Xio Axelrod book before?  I will admit I (Laura) had not and I've been MISSING OUT.  We welcomed the USA Today Bestselling author and one of her dynamic duo of narrators, Benjamin Charles, onto the podcast to discuss her new book, Girls with Bad Reputations, as well as her writing style, audiobook journey and what's next!Also, if you haven't picked up a Benjamin Charles books, Laura recommends Riley Hart's The End Zone and M. Jay Granberry's Exquisitely HiddenFollow Xio on socials - @xioaxelrod on Instagram and TiktokFollow The Lillys @thelillysrock and find more music at www.thelillysrock.comFollow Benjamin on socials - @benjamincharlesvoice

Acclaimed narrator Julia Whelan sat down with us to discuss the impetus of why she started Audiobrary, a new audiobook distribution app, as well as her book within the book, Casanova, LLC.Julia has narrated nearly 400 books in a variety of genres and has won 2 Audie awards for her narration.  She has also written two previous book, My Oxford Year and Thank You For Listening.    You can follow her on Instagram and Tiktok @justjuliawhelan.She created Audiobrary with dual intentions, to support the continued focus on Human Voices Only but to also give authors and narrators as space to equally reap benefits from an audiobook success.   Check out www.audiobrary.com for more details and follow @myaudiobrary on Instagram for more release news!

Brittney and I have such respect for Erin and all the pots she keeps stirring as her creativity continues to grow.  She sits down with us to discuss her new podcast, her partnership with Bixby Elliot, the Creativity Festival she's putting on and all the plans she's got percolating for 2024!Follow Erin - @mallonerin on IG and @erinmallonwriter on TiktokCreativity Festival - Jan 21-26 (register here) - search 'My Job Is to Play' on Eventbrite

B and I sat down and wrapped up the crazy year that was 2023!  We discussed bookish events, hit a little on what community issues we saw in 2023 but mainly talking about our favorite audiobooks and narration performances.  We also made some predictions for 2024!Links we menton:Author Events Around the World Facebook GroupConnor's 8-Man Reverse Harem (We found it!)Jacob is Daddy - Zacob Merch Store

Join us as we chat with Kayla Grosse - author of I Like You Like That, Rein Me In and Trick Shot - about her upcoming audiobook release and the overall audiobook process for her as an indie author.  Stick around long enough and we've got some surprise guests!FollowKayla - Instagram, TiktokDesiree - Instagram, TiktokGrayson - Instagram, TiktokOther accounts to followAlexandria House - Instagram, TiktokJoan Vasser - InstagramAudio in Black - Instagram, TiktokTori - Instagram, TiktokRobin - Instagram, Tiktok

We were able to get Christian Fox to sit down for his first solo interview!  We discussed some of the basics (his start, his process, etc) but really just chatted about what lead him to need to take a break from narration, what brought him back, his pulse on the community and industry, etc.  No stone was left unturned!Enjoy and make sure to share and tag us!

We talked to Teddy Hamilton about how he can't say no to an audiobook LOLBUT REALLY, we talked with him about how his career has really boomed after the take off of Haunting Adeline, how did doesn't really have a niche and generally had a chaotic good time.Other podcasts Teddy has been on:Audibly AddictedAudiobook' LovinMultiple EargasmsThe Audiobook ClubCheck them out on your favorite podcast streaming services!

We had an amazing time talking with Elsie about how she navigated her way through audiobook production paths and ended up dual path with Tantor for her first series, Gold Rush Ranch, and indie with her Chestnut Springs series.  We couldn't NOT discuss Hopeless, her new release coming Friday, October 13th - ya'll WILL be hopeless for Bailey and Beau.Katie Robinson is the Executive Producer over a Lyric and helped Elsie craft the amazing Chestnut Springs series in audio.  She has amazing insight on a variety of audiobook production fronts and you can hear her share some of that over on the IG @audioeverafter

We're trying a little something different and we're trying out a pseudo book club style discussion.  As always, we're a bit of a mess - mostly just vibes, not a lot of plot discussion! Episode 3 - Audio in Color discussionAudio in Color auction site - Register HereFollow Finley Fenn on socials @authorfinleyfenn

We had an amazing time facilitating the meet cute of one of our favorite authors, Sierra Simone, and her Tristan (and Saint Sebastian), Oscar Reyes.  We discuss their past working relationship on the Thornchapel series and how they are creating and performing her latest series, Lyonesse - a modern, queer and kinky Tristan and Isolde retelling.Pick up Salt in the Wound now and Salt Kiss in audio later this month!Follow Oscar - @oscar_reyes_narrator on IGFollow Sierra - @thesierrasimone on all social media

A little sneak peak at some upcoming audiobooks casting, our foray into a new 'book club' of sorts and an amazing chat with authors Kim Loraine and Meg Anne discussing the Twisted Cross Ranch series that's coming out and what they have in store for the future (hint - there's pirates)Follow Kim on social media - @kimloraine2 on Twitter and @kimloraineauthor on IG and TTFollow Meg on social media - @megannewrites everywhere!

This week we changed it up and just reflected together on all the things that have been happening in our bookish communities and what longer term impact some of those behaviors can have.As we mention, all of these topics aren't closed at the end of this episode.  Come find us on social media if you want to dive further into these conversations.

Join us as we sit down with CD Reiss to discuss her latest release, Crowne Jewel, and her process in crafting a compelling story and how we brings those to life via audiobooks.  You'll also see she's super excited for her next venture into 'mafia vampire' land and we're here for it!Also, some VERY exciting audiobook casting news coming from our friend Marley Valentine!Follow CD Reiss: @CDReisswriter on Twitter, @CDReiss on IG and Tiktok (she also makes mafia specific content on @CDReiss_mafia on TT)

To end out the celebration of June is Audiobook Month, Brittney and I hosted a panel of fabulous super fans of audiobooks to chat all things listening, changes we've all seen in the industry and advise we have for folks just getting into audio!Ronyelle Baker - follow her at @mrsrony on Twitter and @Mrsronyb on TiktokJessie Stafford - follow her at @bibiophilebynature on IG and @ohthatbookgirl on TwitterShanell Watson - follow her at @shwatson78 on all platforms at follow @diemsdiamonds on all platforms!Lydia Rella - join Aural Fixation on facebook to join the over 13,000 audio fanatics!

Join the conversation surrounding tell authentic queer stories and learn about these four amazing narrators and their journey into narrating!  Find the amazing stories they recommended from their own back catalog using the below links!Joel Froomkin Audible Library - https://bit.ly/joelfroomkinJoel Leslie Audible Library - https://bit.ly/Joel_LeslieJeremy Parker Audible Library - https://bit.ly/JeremyCParkerQuinn Riley Audible Library - https://bit.ly/QuinnRileyRon Butler Audible Library - https://bit.ly/RonButlerEvan Parker Audible Library - https://bit.ly/Evan_ParkerWill Watt Audible Library - https://bit.ly/Will_Watt

Join Brittney and I as we chat (mostly listen) with Andi Arndt and Nana Malone on their journey with Audio in Color and why access into independent audiobook publishing still has a long way to go.More about Audio in Color and Fundraising link - https://www.lyricaudiobooks.com/audio-in-colorLee and Low Survey Andi references - https://blog.leeandlow.com/2020/01/28/2019diversitybaselinesurvey/Books on Stereo,  Charles' YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@BooksOnStereo

Join us as we chat all the things with narrator (and now author) Connor Crais.  We're all excited to meet him in Chicago at Wild n Windy 2023...but is he nervous?We chat all things writing, narration, life and beyond!Enjoy and interact with us on social media (@theaudiowasbetter on Instagram) and tell us your favorite part!If you're wanting to hear more about Connor you can also catch his interviews on the follow podcasts:Audibly Addicted - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audibly-addicted/id1456174104?i=1000478638044Multiple Eargasms - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/multiple-eargasms-with-kayley-loring/id1578421386?i=1000531840148Up the Smut - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-the-smut-podcast/id1664644669?i=1000599990163Audiobook Lovin - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/viviana-enchantress-of-books-audiobook-lovin-ed-p/id1503725582?i=1000474684518

Get to know us - your hosts Laura and Brittney.  We talk about our friendship our journey into listening to romance audiobooks and our top narrators, authors and tropes, while along the way sharing some laughs, audiobook news and what we are reading.These Walls Can Talk Kickstarter - http://kck.st/3LsHuhzLift 4 Autism Auction - charityauction.bid/Lift4Autism2023Follow Us in between episodes!Laura - @theaudiowasbetter (Tiktok, IG), @lojo0205 (Twitter)Brittney - @bbcott (Twitter, IG), @bbcott14 (Tiktok)Big thanks to Zachary Webber for producing and voicing our intro!