Simon & Schuster teams up with ‘truly innovative’ audio-first content studio

Simon & Schuster has joined forces with “cutting edge” new media company PAVE Studios to launch a new publishing partnership to capitalise on the growth in audiobooks.

The companies will work together to “discover, develop and publish” new books, with Simon & Schuster handling production and distribution of the PAVE-branded titles, and PAVE Publishing House focusing on audio.

Jonathan Karp, president and c.e.o of Simon & Schuster, said: “We’re happy to partner with PAVE Studios, a truly innovative content creation studio, as they look to attract new authors with their business model.”

He added: “Audiobooks continue to be the fastest-growing format in publishing, and PAVE’s roots in audio storytelling set us both up for continued growth and success as we work together to bring creators and their stories to the largest possible audience.”

PAVE has launched PAVE Publishing House and its titles will be jointly published under the Simon & Schuster trade imprint, with Simon & Schuster as the worldwide distributor for all print titles. Max Cutler, founder of PAVE Studios, said: “We understand that when creators succeed, everyone succeeds. By meeting creators’ audiences where they are, we’re reimagining distribution and capitalising on the massive podcast audience where monetisation is limited to drive more revenue back to creators.”

He added: “Partnering with a major publisher provides us with extensive production and distribution capabilities and valuable relationships with booksellers and retailers, while also enhancing our audiobook offerings.”

PAVE Publishing House will continue to launch new titles under its brands, including Crime House and OpenMind.