Ep 18 - Xio Axelrod w/Benjamin Charles

Each year, the Audio Publishers Association hosts an awards event to recognize excellence in audiobook production  - The Audies.  We sat down with APA Executive Director Michele Cobb to get some background on the impetus of The Audie awards as well as the nomination and judging process.I (Laura) was selected to be an Audie preliminary round judge this year so I broke down my experience and pros/cons of the process.  Finally, we had to give our own predictions on who we think vs hope to win in our most beloved categories, Romance and Erotica.Find out more about the APA at www.audiopub.org and follow them on Instagram @audiobooks

Have you picked up a Xio Axelrod book before?  I will admit I (Laura) had not and I've been MISSING OUT.  We welcomed the USA Today Bestselling author and one of her dynamic duo of narrators, Benjamin Charles, onto the podcast to discuss her new book, Girls with Bad Reputations, as well as her writing style, audiobook journey and what's next!Also, if you haven't picked up a Benjamin Charles books, Laura recommends Riley Hart's The End Zone and M. Jay Granberry's Exquisitely HiddenFollow Xio on socials - @xioaxelrod on Instagram and TiktokFollow The Lillys @thelillysrock and find more music at www.thelillysrock.comFollow Benjamin on socials - @benjamincharlesvoice

Acclaimed narrator Julia Whelan sat down with us to discuss the impetus of why she started Audiobrary, a new audiobook distribution app, as well as her book within the book, Casanova, LLC.Julia has narrated nearly 400 books in a variety of genres and has won 2 Audie awards for her narration.  She has also written two previous book, My Oxford Year and Thank You For Listening.    You can follow her on Instagram and Tiktok @justjuliawhelan.She created Audiobrary with dual intentions, to support the continued focus on Human Voices Only but to also give authors and narrators as space to equally reap benefits from an audiobook success.   Check out www.audiobrary.com for more details and follow @myaudiobrary on Instagram for more release news!

Brittney and I have such respect for Erin and all the pots she keeps stirring as her creativity continues to grow.  She sits down with us to discuss her new podcast, her partnership with Bixby Elliot, the Creativity Festival she's putting on and all the plans she's got percolating for 2024!Follow Erin - @mallonerin on IG and @erinmallonwriter on TiktokCreativity Festival - Jan 21-26 (register here) - search 'My Job Is to Play' on Eventbrite

B and I sat down and wrapped up the crazy year that was 2023!  We discussed bookish events, hit a little on what community issues we saw in 2023 but mainly talking about our favorite audiobooks and narration performances.  We also made some predictions for 2024!Links we menton:Author Events Around the World Facebook GroupConnor's 8-Man Reverse Harem (We found it!)Jacob is Daddy - Zacob Merch Store

Join us as we chat with Kayla Grosse - author of I Like You Like That, Rein Me In and Trick Shot - about her upcoming audiobook release and the overall audiobook process for her as an indie author.  Stick around long enough and we've got some surprise guests!FollowKayla - Instagram, TiktokDesiree - Instagram, TiktokGrayson - Instagram, TiktokOther accounts to followAlexandria House - Instagram, TiktokJoan Vasser - InstagramAudio in Black - Instagram, TiktokTori - Instagram, TiktokRobin - Instagram, Tiktok

We were able to get Christian Fox to sit down for his first solo interview!  We discussed some of the basics (his start, his process, etc) but really just chatted about what lead him to need to take a break from narration, what brought him back, his pulse on the community and industry, etc.  No stone was left unturned!Enjoy and make sure to share and tag us!

We talked to Teddy Hamilton about how he can't say no to an audiobook LOLBUT REALLY, we talked with him about how his career has really boomed after the take off of Haunting Adeline, how did doesn't really have a niche and generally had a chaotic good time.Other podcasts Teddy has been on:Audibly AddictedAudiobook' LovinMultiple EargasmsThe Audiobook ClubCheck them out on your favorite podcast streaming services!

We had an amazing time talking with Elsie about how she navigated her way through audiobook production paths and ended up dual path with Tantor for her first series, Gold Rush Ranch, and indie with her Chestnut Springs series.  We couldn't NOT discuss Hopeless, her new release coming Friday, October 13th - ya'll WILL be hopeless for Bailey and Beau.Katie Robinson is the Executive Producer over a Lyric and helped Elsie craft the amazing Chestnut Springs series in audio.  She has amazing insight on a variety of audiobook production fronts and you can hear her share some of that over on the IG @audioeverafter

We're trying a little something different and we're trying out a pseudo book club style discussion.  As always, we're a bit of a mess - mostly just vibes, not a lot of plot discussion! Episode 3 - Audio in Color discussionAudio in Color auction site - Register HereFollow Finley Fenn on socials @authorfinleyfenn