AUDIES COMPETITION HAS
RECORD-BREAKING YEAR WITH OVER 1,250 ENTRIES!
Michael
Showalter to Emcee the Gala on June 5, 2012, at the New-York Historical
Society in New York City

The Audio Publishers Association (APA) has announced
finalists for its 2012 Audie Awards® competition, the only awards program
in the United States devoted entirely to honoring spoken word
entertainment. Winners will be announced at the Audies Gala on June 5,
2012, at the New-York Historical Society in New York City. Comedian,
actor, writer, and director Michael Showalter will emcee the event.

Breaking last year’s already impressive record with over
1,250 titles entered, the competition is livelier than ever in 2012, a
clear indicator of the strength of the audiobook industry. New to the
competition is the separation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy
categories, allowing for more nominations and a more focused selection
process. The Paranormal category, which was added as a special judges’
category in 2011, has been added as a permanent classification.

“We are absolutely thrilled with both the quality and
quantity of the nominations we are seeing,” said Michele Cobb, APA
President. “The tremendous range of excellent audiobooks produced this
year is a testament to the industry’s continued growth, and with so many
truly exceptional nominees, this is sure to be one of the most exciting
and competitive races yet!”

Showalter, the show’s host, is a member of the sketch
comedy trio Stella. He first came to recognition as a cast member on MTV’s
The State, which aired from 1993 to 1995. He co-wrote and starred
in Wet Hot American Summer (2001), and wrote, directed,
and starred in The Baxter (2005), with Michelle Williams, Justin
Theroux, and Elizabeth Banks. He and his longtime collaborator Michael Ian
Black co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in a well-acclaimed series for
Comedy Central, Michael and Michael Have Issues, which is newly
available on DVD. Showalter also created a popular web interview series on
Collegehumor.com called The Michael Showalter Showalter. His
comedic memoir, Mr. Funny Pants, hit shelves in 2011 and is
published by Hachette Book Group.

“I am delighted to be hosting the Audies, a glamorous
night that celebrates the actors, producers and authors who bring books to
life through the spoken word. Audiobooks add personality, humor, and raw
emotion to literature – and you can expect the Audies to provide an
evening full of life, laughter, and excitement this year!” said
Showalter.

Finalists for Distinguished Achievement in Production and
Audiobook of the Year, the Audies’ most prestigious awards, will be
announced in the spring. The Distinguished Achievement in Production award
honors an audiobook that demonstrates excellence in all areas of
production. The Audiobook of the Year award recognizes an audiobook that,
through quality, innovation, marketing and sales, has had a significant
impact on the industry.

Click
here to see the full press release, listing all finalists in this year’s
competition.