Welcome to Audiobook Connection at BookFest Newark
Join Becky Parker Geist, host of Audiobook Connection: Behind the Scenes with the Creative Teams, as she provides exclusive updates from BookFest in Newark, New Jersey. Alongside project manager Megan Lee, Becky shares memorable moments from the event including author meet-and-greets and major audiobook award celebrations.
The Power of Connection at BookFest
For Megan Lee, the highlight of BookFest was the opportunity to meet authors in person. She recounts the special experience of finally meeting Dr. Susan Agbenoto, an author whose last two audiobooks Megan has project managed. This meeting symbolized the essence of the event—a strong sense of connection and community among authors and creative professionals.
“We talk a lot about the importance of connection and community, and I really feel the power of it here at BookFest,” Megan shared.
Becky also reflects on the value of author conferences such as BookFest and Chanticleer Authors Conference, which create meaningful interactions and offer support at every stage of an author’s journey.
A Night of Honors: Award Wins for “The Legend of Valentine”
The event’s excitement peaked with the Independent Press Awards gala, where Becky and Megan accepted several accolades on behalf of their client Sheldon Collins for his audiobook The Legend of Valentine. This full-cast, immersive soundtrack audiobook received the Best Audiobook Award—recognizing its outstanding production quality.
- Independent Press Award: Best Audiobook for The Legend of Valentine
- Gracie Award: Received by Becky on behalf of the project
- SOVAS Awards: Best Audiobook Producer and Best Audiobook Sound Design
Despite Sheldon Collins being unable to attend, Becky and Megan took pride in celebrating this significant recognition for their collaborative work and look forward to seeing him in May.
Empowering Authors with Amplify Audiobooks
Beyond the festivities, the episode highlights a growing challenge: audiobook authors often receive disappointingly low royalties from major retailers. Becky, with decades of industry experience, stresses that authors frequently get shortchanged despite their substantial creative and financial investment.
Enter Amplify Audiobooks, a new direct-sale platform launched by Pro Audio Voices designed to empower audiobook authors. The platform offers authors the ability to:
- Earn 65% of the gross sales price, significantly higher than typical retailer royalties
- Set their own prices and run scheduled promotions
- Create coupon codes and build direct relationships with customers
- Receive weekly payments, greatly improving cash flow
- Work closely with a supportive and responsive team for marketing assistance
This author-first approach disrupts the traditional audiobook distribution model by giving authors greater control, transparency, and revenue.
Join the Movement
Authors ready to maximize their audiobook earnings and engage directly with their audience can explore Amplify Audiobooks today by visiting proaudiovoices.com and clicking on the Distribution Amplify link.
Conclusion
BookFest offered an inspiring glimpse into the audiobook industry’s creative and community-driven spirit. From meaningful author connections to award-winning productions and innovative platforms that elevate authors, the future of audiobooks is bright. Stay connected with Audiobook Connection for more insights and tips on audiobook production and marketing.
Learn more about Pro Audio Voices and Amplify Audiobooks at proaudiovoices.com and amplifyaudiobooks.com.
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In this third installment of our series on the 2026 audiobook distribution shakeup, Becky dives deep into the complex world of where your stories land and how much you actually keep. Are you "going wide" just to be everywhere, or are you actually reaching your customers?
We break down the pros and cons of the major players, including:
- The Big Shifts: Understanding the changes at Spotify, Voices INaudio, and the murky new royalty structures at ACX.
- The Library Connection: How to navigate rentals and checkouts through Overdrive and Hoopla.
- Wide Distribution vs. Direct Sales: Why a "cast a wide net" strategy works best when paired with powerful direct-to-consumer tools.
- The AMPlify Revolution: Discover how AMPlify Audiobooks is changing the game by combining distribution with marketing, offering higher royalties (65% of gross!), and—most importantly—building a real community through features like "Reflections" and real-time listener connection.
Whether you are an author struggling to earn back your investment or a narrator looking to understand the landscape, this episode provides the roadmap you need to deepen your impact and broaden your reach.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- The critical difference between a percentage of "retail price" vs. "net."
- Why an audiobook is a complex "package of files" and why delivery systems matter.
- How to use community tools, author pages, and live events to turn listeners into superfans.
- The ultimate strategy: Wide distribution for discovery + AMPlify Audiobooks for connection.
Relevant Links:
- 🌐 Amplify Audiobooks
- 🌐 Authors Republic
- Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection
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