Monday, January 30, 2006
Audies Finalists, Finally
The 2006 Audies Finalist announcements made the rounds among publishers, producers, and narrators today. Complete Audies Finalist List [Downloads as a PDF]. Five finalists in each of 28 categories highlight exceptional work of 32 audio publishers. Ecumenical as always, the large trade houses share the limelight with several small independent publishers. Bravo!
THE ACE: Picking up 22 Finalist accolades--Harper Audio--across 14 categories. Bravissimo!
THE ACE: Picking up 22 Finalist accolades--Harper Audio--across 14 categories. Bravissimo!
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Make Note: Notable Recordings 2006
Along with the high profile Caldecott and Newbery Medal awards, the children's services ALSC division of the ALA announced the Notable Recordings list at the conclusion of the San Antonio conference. Work from 8 audio publishers made the list of 21 audio titles--congratulations to: Audio Bookshelf, BBC Audiobooks America, Full Cast Audio, Harper Audio, Listening Library, Live Oak Media, Recorded Books, and Weston Woods.
THE ACE: Publishers can attend the committee's discussion of titles at the Midwinter conference. Enlightening. Don't wait to get your titles to next year's committee, the 2007 Notable guidelines are available.
THE ACE: Publishers can attend the committee's discussion of titles at the Midwinter conference. Enlightening. Don't wait to get your titles to next year's committee, the 2007 Notable guidelines are available.
YALSA Hails Impact of Audiobooks
In the announcement of YALSA's 2006 list of Audiobooks for Young Adults, the ALA division also acknowledged the impact of the audio format on both literacy development and recreational listening for teens. YALSA recently approved renaming the committee and a change of focus. The committee is now an official selection committee: Selected Audiobooks.
THE ACE: Congratulations to Bolinda Audio, Brilliance, Full Cast Audio, HighBridge, Listening Library, and Recorded Books for the recognition of their titles on the YALSA list. Not too early to submit for next year--email the YALSA office.
THE ACE: Congratulations to Bolinda Audio, Brilliance, Full Cast Audio, HighBridge, Listening Library, and Recorded Books for the recognition of their titles on the YALSA list. Not too early to submit for next year--email the YALSA office.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
AA Partnership
The recent partnership between Audible and AudiobooksOnline extends the sources of Audible.com [AND iPod-compatible] digital audiobooks.
THE ACE: AudiobooksOnline is one of the oldest independent audio-only online sites. Owner Larry Bohen's Vermont "store" has always been virtual: www.audiobooksonline.com
THE ACE: AudiobooksOnline is one of the oldest independent audio-only online sites. Owner Larry Bohen's Vermont "store" has always been virtual: www.audiobooksonline.com
Boston Banquet
The APA-PLA sponsored dinner, Beantown Banquet, at the biennial PLA Conference is always a sell-out. Get your reservations soon for Thursday evening, March 23, at the Sheraton Boston.
THE ACE: The APA will be preparing goodie bags for the 700+ librarian attendees. Will your audiobooks or flyer be in them? Contact Michele Cobb
THE ACE: The APA will be preparing goodie bags for the 700+ librarian attendees. Will your audiobooks or flyer be in them? Contact Michele Cobb
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Venue for 2006 Audie Awards
Washington's National Press Club will be the venue for the gala 2006 Audie Awards ceremony, May 17, 2006 . Get your table reservations in now--contact the APA office's Lisa Faris or from the APA site.
THE ACE: Invite your authors, narrators, and colleagues, but check the new rules about single tickets! Table reservations form.
THE ACE: Invite your authors, narrators, and colleagues, but check the new rules about single tickets! Table reservations form.
Test Drive Device Compatibility
Bring 'em on--Dell, Samsung, Rio, Phillips--Librarians can bring MP3 players to the ALA's San Antonio conference, Jan 20-23, and visit Overdrive's booth to test the compatibility with the new self-service Download Station and Media Kiosk Software.
THE ACE: Booth #635. . . but leave the iPods at home. WMA-compatible devices only.
THE ACE: Booth #635. . . but leave the iPods at home. WMA-compatible devices only.
Parents' Choice Awards: Audiobooks
Brilliance Audio and Harper Audio picked up the audiobook awards in the 2005 Parents' Choice Foundation Awards. A BEAR CALLED PADDINGTON (Harper) won a Parents' Choice Gold Award; ADAM CANFIELD OF THE SLASH (Brilliance) and three additional Harper titles were given Parents' Choice Recommended Awards by the nation's oldest not-for-profit evaluator of children's learning tools.
THE ACE: Apply for the 2006 awards: January 13 - February 10, 2006 Spring Audio Call for Entries.
THE ACE: Apply for the 2006 awards: January 13 - February 10, 2006 Spring Audio Call for Entries.
New ZIP code for BBC Audiobooks America
The Governor of Rhode Island welcomed BBC Audiobooks America to their new offices and warehouse complex in Kingstown, RI. The new operation currently employs 26 people and has room to grow, says BBCAA president Jim Brannigan. New home for BBCAA
THE ACE: Rhode Island libraries also welcomed BBCAA, accepting a donation of $25,000 worth of audiobooks to be shared by the state's 72 public libraries. BBC Audiobooks America
THE ACE: Rhode Island libraries also welcomed BBCAA, accepting a donation of $25,000 worth of audiobooks to be shared by the state's 72 public libraries. BBC Audiobooks America
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Audio Production Grad School
Masters of Short-Form Storytelling will participate in a weekend workshop sponsored by National Audio Theatre Festivals (NATF). A unique opportunity to be part of a rare forum of audio dramatists and producers. March 2-5, and check the details.
NATF / Tony Hawkins Institute Advanced Production Workshop
THE ACE: NATF Workshops are exceptional opportunities for professionals to gain skills, work with leaders in the field, and confab with peers. Well organized, packed with hands-on opportunities, and worth every nickel. If you can go, just join NATF .
NATF / Tony Hawkins Institute Advanced Production Workshop
THE ACE: NATF Workshops are exceptional opportunities for professionals to gain skills, work with leaders in the field, and confab with peers. Well organized, packed with hands-on opportunities, and worth every nickel. If you can go, just join NATF .
Can Lightning Strike Twice?
The meteoric success of Ron McLarty's THE MEMORY OF RUNNING after Stephen King called it "the best book you'll never read" is an audiobook legend. Does NAILING IT by Norman Dietz have a similar shot at fame? Sandy Bauers at the Philly Inquirer thinks maybe . . .
www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/entertainment/13564742.htm
THE ACE: Just listen to it. . . from Blackstone. Agents, just call Norman.
www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/entertainment/13564742.htm
THE ACE: Just listen to it. . . from Blackstone. Agents, just call Norman.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Brilliance MARCs a New Alliance
Brilliance Audio and BWI Books, the fast-growing audiovisual vendor to public libraries, are partnering to provide digital processing and MARC records using Indigo Media processing.
THE ACE: Publishers pay attention to BWI Books: they are winning the attention, and the audio budgets, of public librarians with service and understanding of the needs of collection development--especially for children's and young adult materials. Marie Robertson at BWI is the contact to find out more.
THE ACE: Publishers pay attention to BWI Books: they are winning the attention, and the audio budgets, of public librarians with service and understanding of the needs of collection development--especially for children's and young adult materials. Marie Robertson at BWI is the contact to find out more.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
On the Fly: Audiofy in Airports
Airport Wireless, a consumer electronics reseller with 20 retail outlets in major airports, is now offering Audiofy bookchips. Travel-ready, the "bookchips" will please business travelers who often carry the prerequisite players--laptops, pocket PCs, PDAs, and smart phones.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/12/prweb317882.php
THE ACE: Audiofy is steadily acquiring publisher content that currently includes titles from Pimsleur Language Courses, Executive Book Summaries, Gildan Media, InAudio/Commuter's Library, and others.
More info for publishers.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/12/prweb317882.php
THE ACE: Audiofy is steadily acquiring publisher content that currently includes titles from Pimsleur Language Courses, Executive Book Summaries, Gildan Media, InAudio/Commuter's Library, and others.
More info for publishers.
iPod-Friendly Canadian Rattling Books
Rattling Books, Newfoundland-based audio publisher of Canadian poetry, literary fiction, and adventure-based nonfiction, recently launched their Web site with their titles available as digital download MP3 files compatible with iPod players.
THE ACE: Janet Russell, founder of Rattling Books, is among the brave, new independent audio publishers. Russell founded Rattling Books in 2003.
THE ACE: Janet Russell, founder of Rattling Books, is among the brave, new independent audio publishers. Russell founded Rattling Books in 2003.
Monday, January 02, 2006
New Look, New Prices at Audible
Launched on Dec. 4, a redesigned Audible.com Web site sports a new look and features for members including an Audible BasicListener plan at $9.95 for a year's membership.
http://www.audible.com
THE ACE: A coup--for Audible, and for everyone in audiobooks--Ellen Degeneres featured gifts of Audible products and her audiobook loaded into an iPod on her 12 days of Giveaways http://ellen.warnerbros.com/funstuff/giveaway/12days/day4.html
http://www.audible.com
THE ACE: A coup--for Audible, and for everyone in audiobooks--Ellen Degeneres featured gifts of Audible products and her audiobook loaded into an iPod on her 12 days of Giveaways http://ellen.warnerbros.com/funstuff/giveaway/12days/day4.html
