SOUNDS LIKE 2020

Perk up your ears for the audio trends
that will be everywhere this year.

In another life, I worked in fashion forecasting, parsing style and culture to make predictions about what we’d want to wear six, 12, or 18 months down the pike. And while audio and fashion engage different senses, I’ve been surprised to find key similarities: As Audible editors, we’re constantly immersed in upcoming releases, sussing out what we think will be the most exciting and impactful listens and voices in an ever-evolving space. (Never underestimate the power of vintage, aka backlist, either.) And just like fashion editors fighting over samples, we can’t wait to get our mitts on manuscripts, galleys, and precious early audio.

It’s been especially cool to see how ahead of the curve Audible and our listeners are, having predicted the vast potential of audio storytelling more than 20 years ago. So if you’re curious about the biggest audio, literary, and publishing trends for 2020 and beyond—including emerging genres and talent to watch—consider this a peek into the sounds that will define the year ahead. —Kat, Audible Editor

1. Voice casting coups

We don’t know who needs to hear this, but we for one want to hear everything on this list. With the rise of scripted audio, more and more celebrities are exploring the format, resulting in swoon-worthy multicast performances. Meanwhile, some of the biggest names in Hollywood are adding audiobook narrator to their CVs, a longtime trend that’s only picking up speed. And while some of the year’s casting news is still under wraps, trust us when we say 2020 will be star-studded.

Check out the full list here.

2. Genre-swapping surprises

This year some of our favorite writers are changing the game, genre-wise. Three YA fantasy authors—Leigh Bardugo, Veronica Roth, and Sarah J. Maas—recently forayed into adult debuts while Jeff Vandermeer goes in the other direction with a new YA fantasy series. We also have our eyes on celebrity auteurs releasing fiction, kidlit, and thrillers—just call it, as Jim Carrey does, the celebrity anti-memoir.

Check out the full list here.

3. Elder protagonists

The culture has long been youth obsessed, but these days we’re seeing a noticeable uptick in characters of a certain age, in every genre from literary fiction and thrillers to kidlit and theater. The trend is especially noticeable when it comes to female protagonists, but literature doesn’t have to be no country for old men—we rounded up a few selections that say You’re OK, boomer! to elder folks of either gender.

Check out the full list here.

4. Class consciousness

Publishing trends reflect the broader culture, so in a year when Parasite swept the Academy Awards and wealth inequality is a key election issue, it makes sense that we’re seeing an explosion of stories tackling class tensions, conflict, and privilege. From historical and contemporary fiction to autobiography and thrillers, these listens explore class struggles in a nuanced, narrative way.

Check out the full list here.

6. Podcast connections

The lines between audiobooks and podcasts have been blurring for some time as audio grows overall. Once upon a time, it was easy to see how the audio version of a printed book (written by an author, arranged into chapters) was different from a podcast (presented by a host, arranged into episodes), but things are getting a lot fuzzier as audio formats intersect in new and surprising ways—and as we like to say, we’re hear for it.

Check out the full list here.

7. Evolving immigration stories

A hot-button political issue, immigration is also one of the most pervasive themes in audio storytelling, showing up in memoir and nonfiction, YA and kids, commercial fiction, history, and even theater. Far from a monolithic group of voices, these ever-evolving stories of immigration and migration reflect on dreams and ambition, overlapping identities, separated families, and the universal search for self.

Check out the full list here.

8. Classic retellings

They’re classics for a reason. But far from remaining dusty and fusty, our beloved tales of the past can be infinitely refracted through today’s lens, inspiring radical reinterpretations of treasured (and sometimes controversial) classic literature and pop culture revivals that turn on contemporary nostalgia. Another trend to watch: backlist gems making their long-anticipated arrivals in audio.

Check out the full list here.

9. The memoir as manifesto

The compelling blend of intimate first-person account and call-to-arms recently got a high-profile boost with the announcement of Colin Kaepernick’s upcoming memoir. The NFL star’s project is expected to be part political awakening and part memoir, a timely combination we’re going to hear a lot more of this year, via famous folk like influencers and politicians as well as established authors and emerging voices.

Check out the full list here.

10. Microgenres having a moment

Microgenres are inherently trend-driven. Their specific nature often reflects the zeitgeist, and some have a longer shelf life than others. While we can’t say for certain which of these trending microgenres will have the staying power of, say, cozy mysteries or space operas, we do know you’ll be seeing (and hearing!) a lot of these in the year ahead.

Check out the full list here.