This past weekend, Spotify was at the heart of the largest literary event in the U.S.: the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. As the presenting sponsor of the Audiobook and Podcast Stage on the USC campus, we spent April 18 and 19 celebrating the authors, stories, and fans that make up book culture. From mainstage panels to an invite-only party with Rick Ross, the event highlighted our belief that great stories deserve to be heard, shared, and experienced across multiple formats. It was also a chance to bring the Spotify experience into the real world and connect storytellers with fans.
Center stage with leading authors
The Spotify Audiobook and Podcast Stage hosted discussions with two of today’s most exciting authors.
First, we explored how a single story can build a universe of fans across different mediums
with Remarkably Bright Creatures author Shelby Van Pelt and film director Olivia Newman. Moderated by Spotify Senior Audiobooks Editor Zack Knoll, the panel examined how a story evolves as it moves from page to audiobook to a highly anticipated Netflix film.
Then, on Sunday, we welcomed S.A. Cosby, the New York Times bestselling author known for “Southern noir” crime fiction, for a discussion on storytelling in the digital age. Moderated by David Dastmalchian, host of the video podcast Grave Conversations, the panel explored the creative process and what it means to connect with readers in an era of audiobooks, podcasts, and social media. Cosby’s work shows that great storytelling transcends any single format, finding new audiences and new life through audio.