For Audio Publishers, Digital Media Is the Wave of the Present: APA President Anthony Goff on How Publishers Are Adapting
Goff offered Book Business his thoughts on the state of the audio publishing industry and opportunities he sees for growth.
Book Business Extra: Why do you believe audiobook sales are declining so steeply?
Anthony Goff: We feel [that] ... with the price points of the audiobooks [being what they are], they are certainly a luxury item. So I think that a lot of people are not going into bookstores right now and dropping $29, $39, $49 on audiobooks. Instead, they're downloading them and going to the libraries. ... [Additionally,] a lot of people have been losing their jobs; a lot of people are spending less time on the road [where they often listen to audiobooks]. ... [However,] things are looking brighter right now. We've seen a little bit of turnaround in buying patterns at major accounts. ... If people don't see [the audiobooks] ... at retail [stores], they're not able to purchase them at retail [stores]. ... Some of what audio publishers publish right now are not making their way to retailers because the retailers are buying the biggest, most commercial, best-selling titles and are passing on … the mid-list or make books, or smaller niche books. ...
- People:
- Anthony Goff
- Heather Fletcher
- Places:
- New York City