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Nominees Announced for Audiobook of the Year
and Distinguished Achievement in Production
April 22, 2009
 
The Audio Publishers Association (APA) has announced three Audie nominees for the prestigious Audiobook of the Year Award and five nominees for the newly created Distinguished Achievement in Production category.
 
The winners will be announced at the Audies Gala awards ceremony on May 29 at the New-York Historical Society in New York City.
 
The three titles that have been selected for Audiobook of the Year contention are:
  • Brisingr by Christopher Paolini, read by Gerard Doyle, published by Listening Library;
  • The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, read by the author, published by HarperAudio; and
  • A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father by Augusten Burroughs, read by the author, published by Macmillan Audio.
All three titles are distinguished by excellence in production as well as by their ability to create new interest in the audiobook format through creative and innovative marketing, says the APA. 
 
Nominees for many additional Audie Awards categories were announced in February. Click here for that list.
 
PRODUCTION NOMINEES
 
The five titles that have been selected to compete for the inaugural Distinguished Achievement in Production award are:
  • Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer, read by Katherine Kellgren, published by Listen & Live Audio;
  • Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, read by Sarah Naughton and a full cast, published by Full Cast Audio;
  • Many Things Invisible by Carrington MacDuffie, read by the author, published by Blackstone Audio;
  • The New Adventures of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer by various authors, read by Stacy Keach and a full cast, published by Blackstone Audio; and
  • Louis Vuitton Soundwalk: Shanghai read by Joan Chen, published by Soundwalk.
MOST ENTRIES EVER
 
The Audies, the only awards program in the United States devoted entirely to honoring spoken word entertainment, drew in a record 1,000 entries from audio publishers this year, reflecting the health of the audio industry.
 
In recognition of the diversity and excellence achieved by a wide range of audiobook publishers, the APA created the Distinguished Achievement in Production award this year to recognize a production that represents the best the format has to offer in listening excellence.
 
Audiobook of the Year recognizes the audiobook that, through quality, innovation, marketing and sales, has had the most significant impact on the industry.
 
“This was a tough year for the judges to choose the best audiobooks because the quality of the material is better than it’s ever been,” said Ellen Myrick, chair of the Audies judges. “Each of these titles was phenomenal in their own right and we congratulate everyone who worked to bring these works to life,” she added.
 
“I applaud the publishers, authors, narrators and all the behind-the-scenes producers who continue to entertain audio fans in new and innovative ways,” said Anthony Goff, APA president.
 
JUDGES COMMENT ...
 
The finalists for Audiobook of the Year, with the judges’ comments, follow:
 
Brisingr
As the third book of the Inheritance trilogy, Brisingr already had a strong following but the audiobook was an integral part of the overall Inheritance experience. Clues about the next book in the series were even included in an audio-only interview with the author.
 
Narrator Gerard Doyle’s masterful performance encompassed everything from people of all ages and genders to fantastic beasts with magical powers, demonstrating his own magical gifts in the process.
The Graveyard Book (also a finalist in the Thriller/Suspense and Children’s Titles for Ages 8-12 categories).
The Graveyard Book leaped into immortality with its Newbery Medal win, but the audiobook adds the author’s haunting performance, which strikes the perfect balance between a professional reader and the heart and soul of the author.
 
Bela Fleck’s eerie and whimsical original musical composition for the audiobook sets the tone and punctuates the production. Gaiman’s unabashed enthusiasm for the audiobook format found expression throughout his book tour and on his website. Gaiman’s and HarperAudio’s efforts have clearly won new fans through these recorded readings and effective social media marketing.
A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father
Augusten Burroughs’ audio bestseller features a dramatic narration by the author and additional material specifically related to the audiobook production, including original songs from Patti Smith, Sea Wolf, Ingrid Michaelson and Tegan Quin, and a unique musical score.
 
Additionally, Burroughs was particularly involved in both the production and promotion of the audiobook, endorsing the audiobook product as much as he did the hardcover.
APA CONFERENCE & AUDIES GALA
 
The Audio Publishers Association will hold it's annual conference in New York City on May 28, featuring a special Narrator's Track. The Audies Gala follows in Friday, May 29.
 
For details about attending these events, visit the APA web site at www.audiopub.org, or write to info@audiopub.org.
 
The Audio Publishers Association is a not-for-profit trade organization whose primary goals are to promote awareness of the audiobook industry, gather and disseminate industry statistics, encourage high production standards, and represent the interests of audiobook publishers.
 
 
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