28 Jul An In-Depth Conversation about the Growing Audiobook Industry (Podcast #15)
Episode #15 – The Audiobook Production Process, the Industry’s Explosive Growth, and Working with the German Voice of Brad Pitt
By Marleen Seegers, Co-Founder of 2 Seas Agency and Host of The Make Books Travel Podcast
July 28, 2020
Jamie Dupras
On episode 15 I’m speaking with Jamie Dupras, General Manager of Los Angeles-based Deyan Audio. Deyan Audio is the largest independent producer of audiobooks and has won multiple awards for their productions.
I was eager to learn more about the actual production process of an audiobook, and hearing about overall trends in the industry.
As a rights seller, I only get to take part in the licensing side of audiobook rights. The licensing of such rights has been on the rise not only in the US and the UK but also in many other languages. For instance a few days ago we received an offer specifically for the Bulgarian audio rights in a Dutch title that we represent, our first audiobook-only deal for that language.
The audiobook industry has recorded an explosive growth in the last couple of years, and Jamie explains why 2012 was a pivotal year in this development. We also discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the industry, recording in languages other than English, and the rise in audio book productions in some surprising genres.
Here are some of the questions I asked Jamie:
- Can you give us a breakdown of the process of how an audiobook is produced, from start to finish?
- Looking back at the last couple of years, business has been good for you and the audiobook industry in general. Can you elaborate on this?
- What according to you has the impact of Covid-19 been on the audiobook industry here in the US?
- What percentage of your productions are recorded in languages other than English?
- Have you seen an increase in demand in one or a few languages in particular?
- Do you see a current trend, or trends, in audiobook production as far as genres are concerned?
Show notes
- Publishers Weekly article: “All Signs Point Up for Audio Books“
- Jamie’s book recommendation: Michael Finkel, True Story. Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa (Harper, 2005)
Thank you for listening, and enjoy!
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