{{short description|Magazine that focuses on audiobooks}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox magazine | title = AudioFile | image_file = Audiofile December 2018-January 2019 cover.jpg | editor = Robin F. Whitten | category = [[Literary magazine]] | paid_circulation = | unpaid_circulation = | total_circulation = | circulation_year = | frequency = Bimonthly | publisher = AudioFile Publications, Inc. | founded = {{Start date and age|1992}} | language = English | issn = 1063-0244 | country = United States | based = [[Portland, Maine]] | website = [http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/gateway/login.cfm AudioFile] }} '''''AudioFile''''' was a print and online magazine whose mission is to review "unabridged and abridged audiobooks, original audio programs, commentary, and dramatizations in the spoken-word format. The focus of reviews is the audio presentation, not the critique of the written material."<ref>{{cite web|website=AudioFile.com|url=http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/about/|title=About: AudioFile's Mission|access-date=July 3, 2014}}</ref> ''AudioFile'' was published six times a year in [[Portland, Maine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/about/|website=Audiofile.com|title=About|access-date=July 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Book Review Magazines|url=http://www.bookmarket.com/magazines-books.htm|work=Book Market|access-date=February 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513004153/http://www.bookmarket.com/magazines-books.htm|archive-date=May 13, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2026, ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' bought ''AudioFile'' and began merging its features into the company's reviews coverage.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Sophia |date=January 7, 2026 |title=Kirkus Buys ‘AudioFile’ Magazine |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/audio-books/article/99404-kirkus-buys-audiofile-magazine.html |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=[[Publishers Weekly]] |language=en}}</ref>
==Launch== The publication was launched in 1992 as a 12-page black & white newsletter containing about 50 critical reviews of [[audiobooks]], focused on new releases.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Katz, Bill|title= Magazines|journal= Library Journal|date=November 15, 1992|volume= 117 |issue= 19| page=110}}</ref> In 1997, it switched to a 36-page color magazine format containing about 60 reviews per issue and interviews with authors, readers, and publishers.<ref>{{cite journal| author=Bryant, Eric |title=AudioFile|journal= [[Library Journal]]|date=February 15, 1997| volume= 122 |issue =3|page=167}}</ref>
==Online== In 2000, ''AudioFile'' launched an online database of past issues.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rosenblum, Trudi M.| title=Audio bits|work= Publishers Weekly|date=April 3, 2000| volume= 247|issue= 14}}</ref> Current issues were offered online beginning in 2001.<ref>{{cite journal|title=AudioFile|journal= School Library Journal |date= Jun 2001| volume=47|issue= 6|page=83}}</ref> By 2026, the magazine had published oveer 60,000 reviews. ''AudioFile'' also began a weekly podcast, ''Behind the Mic''.<ref name=":0" />
In January 2026, ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' bought ''AudioFile'', intending to merge it into an audiobook reviews section of the ''Kirkus Reviews'' website.<ref name=":0" />
==Earphones Awards== ''AudioFile'' bestows monthly Earphones Awards as its equivalent to a to [[starred review]] for audio books.<ref>{{cite web |title=Behind the Mic - Three Earphones-Award Winners from AudioFile |url=https://lithub.com/three-earphones-award-winners-from-audiofile/ |website=[[Literary Hub]] |language=en |date=July 11, 2025}}</ref> They given for works which are deemed to excel in the following criteria:<ref>{{cite news |title=June 2020 Earphones Award Winners |url=http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/earphones/ |work=[[AudioFile (magazine)|AudioFile]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603143439/https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/earphones/ |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * Narrative voice and style * Vocal characterizations * Appropriateness for the audio format * Enhancement of the text
==SYNC Audiobooks for Teens== ''AudioFile'' sponsored the SYNC Audiobooks for Teens, a "free summer program for teens 13+." The program discontinued in 2022. The program provided subscribers with two free and complete audiobook downloads paired thematically each week during its summer season. The season varied in length from 10 to 16 weeks. The audiobook files were delivered via the [[OverDrive Media Console]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audiobooksync.com/what-is-sync/|title=What is SYNC?|website=Audiobooksync.com|access-date=August 17, 2016}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== * [http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Official website]
[[Category:Audiobooks]] [[Category:Book review magazines published in the United States]] [[Category:Bimonthly magazines published in the United States]] [[Category:Magazines established in 1992]] [[Category:Magazines published in Maine]] [[Category:1992 establishments in Maine]]