Audiobooks

Turns out we're a multi-genre bunch. In 2025, the fastest-growing audiobook genres were Humor, General Fiction, and Children's & YA.

What genre has been on repeat in your headphones lately?

Become a member for full access to the 2026 Audio Publishers Association Annual Surveys and more: https://tinyurl.com/dfdwpbx8

Thinking about getting started in audio and not sure where to start?

We’ve pulled together resources for authors and publishers who are new to audiobooks, including tips for producing your own title and connections to APA members who can help with recording and distribution.

There’s a lot to learn when you’re entering a new format. Consider this a good place to start: https://www.audiopub.org/industry/getting-started?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

Thank you to our sponsor, Curated Audio!

Curated Audio is a full service audio production service. Our clients include both independent rightsholders and publishers who outsource production.
To learn more, visit their website: [curatedaudio.net](https://curatedaudio.net/)

We’re continuing our History of Audiobooks series with a period of major growth for the industry.

By the 2010s, audiobook production was expanding quickly, more creators were finding ways into the format, and audio was earning greater recognition across publishing and media. New training and distribution options also helped open the door for more people to produce and share audiobooks.

Stay tuned to learn what happened next and become an APA member for the inside scoop on all things audio: https://tinyurl.com/dfdwpbx8

Fans of the romance genre are loving audio so much that audio-first romances are going more mainstream.

When it comes to romance, the performance can change the whole experience. The right narrator can whisper the kind of sweet nothings into your ear that turn a good story into the kind you can't stop listening to. In fact,

Romance listeners, we want to hear from you. What audiobook made you fall in love with the genre?

We're back again to remind you that APA memberships aren't just for publishers. We’re continuing our series spotlighting different kinds of APA memberships, and this time we’re talking about memberships for the media.

For press and publications covering audiobooks, APA membership offers a closer connection to the industry you’re reporting on. Members get access to industry research, educational programming, networking opportunities, and resources that help provide context for coverage of audiobook trends, creators, business shifts, and listener behavior.

If you cover audio, publishing, books, entertainment, or media, this category was built with you in mind.

Find out more about the different kinds of APA memberships or join today: https://tinyurl.com/dfdwpbx8

⏰ Today’s the day! The first submission deadline for the 2027 Audie Awards in New York City ends today!

If you have an audiobook first released between November 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, submit your eligible titles by the end of today to avoid late fees.

Deadline two is Friday, October 9, 2026.

🏆 Enter now: audiopub.org

School’s out, but stories are still very much in session, and audiobooks are the perfect way to keep reading part of summer. They work in the car, during quiet time, while kids are drawing or building, or whenever everyone needs a little reset.

If your family is hitting that summer slump, try picking one audiobook to listen to together. It might be the easiest reading plan you make all season.

July 4 gets all the attention because that is when the Declaration of Independence was signed. But just a few days later, on July 8th, 1776, people gathered in Philadelphia to hear it read aloud for the first time.

This July 8, we’re thinking about the role voice has always played in how stories travel.

Oral history, public readings, speeches, family stories, audiobooks. Different forms, same powerful idea: words can take on new meaning when they’re heard.

Here’s to the stories, histories, and ideas that still come alive when we hear them!

⏰ Deadline 1 is this Friday!
Planning to submit your audiobook for the 2027 Audie Awards in New York City? Don’t miss the first submission deadline.

🗓️Deadline 1: Friday, July 10
For titles first available November 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026

Not every title will be ready by Friday, we understand. While we encourage you to submit by this deadline, we’ll be flexible with late fees for titles publishing later in July.

Submit your best work and join us in celebrating excellence in audiobooks.

🔗 audiopub.org