Albee Romero, marketing and publicity director for Libro.fm, has been with the company for nearly eight years. She’s also a mom to three young children who love reading in print and audio.
Why did Libro.fm make the decision to support Miami Book Fair? What about our work for the community resonates most with you?
We love how Miami Book Fair weaves itself into the fabric of the city, so for us, the decision was easy. Our mission is to get people reading and supporting local bookstores, and what better place than the Fair to talk to readers about that? Another thing that resonated with us is your commitment to equity and accessibility.
What are some of the sponsored activities you’ve executed and enjoyed at the Fair?
The first year we worked with the Fair we were not on-site, so we connected with Libros y Libros y Romántico – which are both bookstore partners of ours – to provide audiobooks for giveaways at their booths during the Fair. We also gifted free audiobook credits to authors, donors, and volunteers.
Last year, we decided to come out and have a presence at Street Fair. It was great to be able to have one-on-one conversations with people to talk about what Libro.fm is, how it works, and why it matters. The energy of Street Fair is unbeatable – handing free audiobooks to people who are already buzzed on literary excitement is just the best!
And I think you also sponsored an author session?
Yes, Maris Kreizman! When choosing a panel to sponsor we looked at which presenting authors were big indie bookstore supporters, because we love the way that those authors are bringing indie bookstores into their conversations, and how mindful they are about directing people to use and support their indie bookstore to help preserve those third spaces.
¿Cómo se alinea nuestro trabajo con tus pensamientos personales sobre el acceso a la cultura literaria?
Access is everything. For some, a physical book is it; for others, an audiobook is a vital tool. We believe that whether you’re reading with your eyes or your ears, you deserve high-quality stories and a local bookstore to call home.
I love the concept behind what you do – can you give me the 30-second pitch for people who don’t know what Libro.fm’s about?
Libro.fm is an audiobook retailer and app that lets you buy your audiobooks directly through your favorite local independent bookstore. We offer a monthly membership and annual membership (just like that other big guy) as well as the option to shop a la carte. So with Libro.fm, instead of the profits going to a corporate behemoth, they’re split with the indie shop of your choice. You get to enjoy more than 600,000 titles on our top-rated app while keeping your money in your local economy.
Tell me about some trends you’re seeing in audiobooks – is there a particular genre that’s blown up recently?
We’re seeing a massive appetite for literary fiction and psychological thrillers right now – Yesteryear was our No. 1 bestseller last month and it’s still selling wildly. We’re also seeing an interest in cozy romance, like A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping. And another trend that has truly blown up is immersive nonfiction. Listeners are no longer just looking for a narrator; they want an experience. Audiobooks narrated by the authors themselves – like John Green or Lena Dunham – are huge because it feels like a private conversation.
¿Cuál fue el último gran libro que leíste? ¿Estás leyendo algo bueno ahora?
I’m currently in the middle of This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum. It’s a debut thriller that centers on podcast hosts, and the narration by Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins brings so much texture to the characters. It’s been a huge hit with our bookselling partners, which inspired me to pick it up.
Fess up: Is it all audiobooks all the time, or do you still crack open a book now and then?
Oh, I definitely read in multiple formats. There’s nothing like the smell of a new physical book, and bonus points if it’s from a local bookstore! I’ll listen to an audiobook while doing laundry, driving, etc., but I always have a physical book on my nightstand as well. Right now I’m reading Mother Mary Comes to Me por Arundahti Roy in print.
Si pudiera tener un almuerzo privado con cualquier autor, vivo o muerto, ¿quién sería y qué le preguntaría?
At the moment, I’d say Judy Blume. I’ve loved listening to her books with my kids – we just blew through the whole Fudge series – and she’s also a fierce advocate for independent bookstores and the freedom to read. As a bookstore owner herself, she truly gets the mission of Libro.fm. I’d love to ask her about the secret to writing that remains so timeless and relatable across generations.
Entrevista realizada por Elisa Chemayne Agostinho; las respuestas se han editado por motivos de espacio y claridad.