Audiobooks: Five ‘Audiobook Of The Year’ Finalists Announced; Winners To Be Named At Audie Awards® Gala May 28

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:

• The Bully Pulpit; by Doris Kearns Goodwin; narrated by Edward Herrmann; Simon & Schuster Audio
• The Graveyard Book; by Neil Gaiman; narrated by Derek Jacobi and a full cast; HarperAudio
• Mandela: An Audio History; by Nelson Mandela; narrated by Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, and Joe Richman; Highbridge Audio, a division of Recorded Books
• What I Know For Sure; written and narrated by Oprah Winfrey; Macmillan Audio
• Yes Please; written and narrated by Amy Poehler; Harper Audio

WHAT THE JUDGES SAY …

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 Child;
  by Sebastian Fitzek; narrated by Rupert Penry-Jones, Jack Boulter,
  Emilia Fox, Stephen Marcus, Robert Glenister, and Andy Serkis; Audible,
  Inc.
• The Graveyard Book; by Neil Gaiman; narrated
  by Neil Gaiman, Derek Jacobi, Robert Madge, Clare Corbett, Miriam
  Margolyes, Andrew Scott, and Julian Rhind-Tutt; HarperAudio
• Report from Nuremberg:
  The International War Crimes Trial; by Harold Burson; narrated by
  Christian Rummel, Richard McGonagle, Gabrielle de Cuir, Kristoffer
  Tabori, Arthur Morey, Joe Nocera, and others; Audible, Inc.
• Revolution; by Deborah Wiles; narrated by Stacey Aswad, Francois Battiste, J.D. Jackson and Robin Miles; Listening Library

ABOUT THE APA

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.