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AUDIOBOOKS Five 'Audiobook Of The Year' Finalists Announced - Winners To Be Named At Audies Gala May 28 April 14, 2015  (VOXtra) - What audiobook will be named Audiobook Of The Year?Five finalists for that distinction have been announced by the Audio Publishers Association (APA), along with four finalists for the Distinguished Achievement in Production award. And the winners of these plus winners in 30 additional categories in the APA's 2015 Audie Awards competition will be named at the elegant Audie Awards® Gala, May 28 in New York City. (See all finalists.) The Audiobook of the Year recognizes the audiobook that, through quality, innovation, marketing and sales, has had the most significant impact on the industry, notes the APA. "All five titles are distinguished by excellence in production as well as their ability to create new interest in the audiobook format through creative marketing," the organization states in announcing the finalists. APA President Linda Lee adds: "Titles like these offer an elevated listening experience that truly drives the growth in our industry. We are proud to recognize and honor them for their artistry and role in exciting listeners in a way that will have them clamoring for more. Thanks to everyone involved with these titles for the important contribution you have made to the audiobook world." 'AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR' NOMINEES The five titles competing for Audiobook of the Year are:
This year's judges offer the following comments and insights into the selection of the finalists: The Bully Pulpit (Simon & Schuster Audio) "Edward Herrmann's masterful performance of Doris Kearns Goodwin's The Bully Pulpit makes the larger-than-life Theodore Roosevelt and his tumultuous times spring vividly to life. Goodwin is in a class by herself as a writer of narrative nonfiction, and the late actor does full justice to the political panoply and maneuvering, providing a not-so-distant mirror to our own times. Herrmann's voice is at home with both bombast and intimacy and makes the listener echo Teddy's favorite word: ‘Delighted!' And Goodwin herself helped keep the audiobook edition in the limelight in her many interviews and publicity appearances."The Graveyard Book (HarperAudio) "Listeners may be forgiven for referring to The Graveyard Book as The Graveyard Audiobook, as this full cast edition is simply unforgettable. Neil Gaiman, the pied piper of children's literature, and a royal cast of actors, weave their voices together to create a haunting recording. Adults and children alike will want to listen and re-listen. Creative marketing like a promotional video of cast members from the studio recording and the sharing of SoundCloud excerpts with Gaiman's 900,000+ followers helped bring in new listeners."Mandela: An Audio History (Highbridge Audio, a division of Recorded Books) "One of the most powerful, well produced, and affecting programs we've heard. This is a unique and important document, skillfully and painstakingly stitched together by the producer from rare archival recordings. Using actualities, including vintage newsreels and songs by Miriam Makeba, Mandela: An Audio History brings this turbulent period in South Africa's history to vivid, heartrending life. Desmond Tutu and Mandela's voices add intimacy and gravitas. This artistic summary left judges moved, admiring, and wishing for more. The publisher used the occasions of various Mandela milestone anniversaries, public radio exposure, and podcast audiences to bring new listeners to this unique program."What I Know For Sure (Macmillan Audio) "For decades Oprah Winfrey has shared her life with millions of adoring fans. She continues to give pearls of wisdom learned from family, friends and mentors with What I Know For Sure. Beautifully read with emphasis on gratitude and a positive outlook, Winfrey's guidance will help listeners smooth their paths to a happier life. Oprah did a fabulous job; she inhabits the reading in a way that some narrators miss. Plus the far-reaching assets of Winfrey's media organizations helped spread the word about this audiobook in many ways."Yes Please (HarperAudio) "Amy Poehler's memoir radiates her charm and life lessons in a one-of-a-kind production amplified by a cast of famous friends and family. Poehler engages listeners as she has throughout her career as writer, actress, and producer using her well-honed improv skills to make each chapter energized and fresh. The live recording of the final chapter of Yes Please is an audio innovation that fans will love. Innovative marketing and Poehler's own interest in her audiobook helped this recording reach new listening audiences."AND DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION ... The award for Distinguished Achievement in Production recognizes a production that represents the best the format has to offer in listening excellence, the APA explains. The four titles competing for Distinguished Achievement in Production are:
The Audio Publishers Association (APA) is a not-for-profit trade organization, whose members consist of audio publishing companies and allied suppliers, distributors, and retailers of spoken word products and allied fields related to the production, distribution and sale of audiobooks. The APA's primary goals are to promote awareness of the audiobook industry; serve as a networking, educational and information forum for its members; deliver programs and services that serve the common business interests for its members; gather and disseminate industry statistics; encourage high production standards; and promote policies and activities that accelerate audiobook industry growth. For more about the APA, the Audies Awards, Audies Gala and other events, visit www.audiopub.org. |
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