LiSTNR has announced that it will launch an original podcast audio fiction pillar with the book The Younger Man by Zöe Foster-Blake as the first title to be developed.
Developed in partnership with LiSTNR and renowned film and TV executive Bob Campbell and Bryden Media, Foster-Blake’s best-selling book will become the first of four of LiSTNR’s audio fiction episodic series. The book follows the aftermath of Abby’s memorable night with a younger, 23-year-old man, and whether the relationship will ever work.
In addition to creating episodic releases, LiSTNR will also debut feature-length audio movies, the first of which will be Loraine Peck’s The Second Son, winner of the 2021 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction. LiSTNR will also expand its crime genre driving a new category – real crime, developing stories using factual, investigative, documentary-style journalism and storytelling.
LiSTNR is investing in audio fiction with book adaptations by Australian authors to bring audiences compelling audio stories, with Bryden Media casting Australian actors to deliver the stories in different podcast formats as episodic series or audio movies. Audio movies will feature a single, 90-minute, scripted version of a story, with advanced sound design and music soundtracks, designed to appeal and entertain both Australian and global audiences.
Adam Shand, host of LiSTNR’s Real Crime and NSW Police State Command podcast series, will front LiSTNR’s foray into its own investigative journalism real crime podcasts and storytelling. Real Crime works closely with law enforcement agencies, detectives, and qualified investigators to form a factually based narrative to allow listeners to not only help solve a case or bring new information to light, but bring a greater understanding on how policing, forensic technology, and approaches adopted by law enforcement have evolved.
The new audio innovations by LiSTNR will be led by Jennifer Goggin, ex-BBC audio documentary creator and podcast producer and head of factual and drama for LiSTNR Original Podcasts. Reporting to Goggin is award-Ian Walker, in the position of senior executive producer – factual and drama, who will develop and create new factual and scripted podcasts for the Real Crime slate, along with growing the audio fiction genre, for Australian and international audiences.
SCA CEO, Grant Blackley, said: “LiSTNR will continue to expand its content genres as its audience grows and innovation remains at its core. Audio fiction allows us to expand the podcast medium and unlock new forms of creativity and narratives for audio content creators, while attracting new audiences with increased engagement within LiSTNR.
“The move into audio fiction production with Australian books and voices showcases the depth and expertise of the LiSTNR Original Podcast team. This is as exciting as it is unique in the Australian podcast market and is the latest exciting stride on our innovation roadmap for LiSTNR.”