The Audio Publishers Association announces THE AUDIOBOOK BLOGGER OF THE YEAR!

Contest Winner, The Literate Housewife,

To be crowned at Audies Gala on May 28th

 

 

May 4, 2015—The Audio Publishers Association (APA) has announced that Jennifer Conner who runs the book blog “The Literate Housewife,” will be recognized as the 2015 Audiobook Blogger of the Year—an honor awarded to her through a competition sponsored by the APA.

 

“The APA created this contest to recognize the valuable contribution of independent audiobook listeners who review and promote the format online” said Megan Fitzpatrick of Hachette Audio, who is an APA member and one of the contest judges. “We saw it as an opportunity to not only reward their work, but to increase engaging discussions about audiobooks on the web and to encourage new bloggers to join the conversation.”

 

For the competition bloggers were invited to submit entries for consideration by a 5-member panel of judges including three APA members, APA Executive Director Michele Cobb, and one celebrity judge—actor and award-winning audiobook narrator Bronson Pinchot.

 

“I was honored to join this effort to recognize all of the amazing work book bloggers do to celebrate and advocate the audiobook listening experience,” Pinchot said. “The range of focus from site to site (examining various genres and appealing to different audiences) was impressive, and their enthusiasm contagious. Without exception, the entries were of high quality, with well-written and deeply considered reviews, and many also had very strong reputations for championing audiobooks through social media.”

 

Entrants were judged on three review posts submitted for consideration; on the overall review coverage and aesthetics of their site; on their social media presence and interaction with their blog community and fellow bloggers; and on a personal statement.

 

 

“We were thrilled to g

et such strong entries,” said APA Executive Director Michele Cobb. “A good competition is a fierce one! Literate Housewife impressed us with her quality coverage and creativity.”

 

“It was great to see the wonderful enthusiasm for audiobooks among the entries and it was a really hard decision,” added Samantha Edelson of Macmillan Audio, an APA member and contest judge. “Ultimately, Literate Housewife’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail really stood out.”

 

Conner’s prize for winning the competition is 2 tickets to the black-tie Audies Gala, which will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at the New York Acad

emy of Medicine in New York City. Conner will be recognized for her achievement at the Gala and have her photo taken with Audies emcee, author Jack Gantos, and contest judge Bronson Pinchot.

 

Conner had this to say about her new title: “Audiobooks are my passion. Knowing how gifted and diverse the audiobook blogging community is, it is an incredible honor to be chosen as the APA’s 2015 Audiobook Blogger of the Year. Receiving this award tells me that in some way I have contributed to the audiobook community that has given me so much.”

 

 

ABOUT THE AUDIO PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION

Formed in 1987, the Audio Publishers Association (APA) is a not-for-profit trade association that advocates the common, collective business interests of audio publishers. The APA consists of audio publishing companies and allied suppliers, distributors, and retailers of spoken word products and allied fields related to the production, distribution and sale of audiobooks. The APA serves as a networking, educational and information forum for its members; delivers programs, services and awards that serve the common business interests for its members; and promotes policies and activities that accelerate audiobook awareness and industry growth. APA and its members work to bring all audio publishers together to create increased public awareness for the audiobook industry through joint publicity efforts, national consumer surveys, trade show exhibits, an association newsletter and the annual APA conference, APAC.