Canongate to launch Letters of Note audio editions

Canongate is launching audio editions of Letters of Note for the first time, described as a “collection of the world’s most entertaining, inspiring and powerful letters” read by an all-star cast.

Compiled by Letters of Note founder Shaun Usher, the first six titles in the series cover "love, cats, art, war, mothers and music" according to its synopsis. The audiobooks are produced by Patti Pirooz and Jamie Byng, in partnership with Shaun Usher and Letters Live and will publish in downloadable format on 5th March 2020, priced at £16.99.

The celebrity line-up of narrators includes: Benedict Cumberbatch, Nick Cave, Miriam Margolyes, Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Juliet Stevenson, Matt Berry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Louise Brealey, Simon Callow, Crystal Clarke, Jarvis Cocker, Adrian Edmondson, Carey Mulligan, Noel Fielding, Stephen Fry, Neil Gaiman, Tom Hiddleston, Anjelica Huston, Danny Huston, Toby Jones, Ben Kingsley, Ferdinand Kingsley, Jude Law, Helen McCrory, Natascha McElhone, Ian McKellen, Stephen Mangan, Clarke Peters, Mark Strong and Meera Syal.

Canongate head of audio and online Joanna Lord said: “I’ve been completely bowled over by the number of amazing readers who have put their time and talents into reading our Letters of Note audiobooks. The end result is something very special indeed, that I hope will provide huge enjoyment for listeners everywhere.”

Each audiobook will also feature exclusive bonus content from recordings made at previous Letters Live performances. Highlights include Nick Cave performing his song "Love Letter" at the Union Chapel, Jarvis Cocker reading a letter by Iggy Pop at the Freemasons' Hall, and Anjelica Huston reading a letter by Bette Davis at LA’s Ace Hotel. They will also feature an exclusive short piece of music composed by Peter Raeburn.

Letters of Note was founded as a curation of “remarkable letters” on lettersofnote.com before turning into a 130,000-copy selling series. Volume one was published October 2013 followed by Letters Live performed by Benedict Cumberbatch, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Kristen Scott-Thomas and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Canongate will make a donation to the National Literacy Trust, one of the regular partner charities for Letters Live, for each audiobook sold.