NEWS WATCH: Tapas Media and Podium Partner to Launch Audio Comic Books

By Guest Author

on June 3, 2020

Podium Audio, an audio-first entertainment studio and audiobook publisher that finances, develops, produces and distributes immersive audio content, and Tapas Media, a next generation media company offering bite-sized webcomics and fiction content through its online mobile platform, are teaming up to release some of Tapas Media’s most popular fiction titles in audio format. The companies first joined forces on The Beginning After The End by TurtleMe, a breakout progression fantasy hit on Tapas as both a novel and comic, and now releasing its fifth book through Podium Audio, which will be available on Audible this week. Season 3 of the massively popular comic was made available on Tapas on May 29th, be sure to check it out today!

Additionally, Podium will be producing and distributing audiobooks for popular Tapas titles including The Dragon Prince’s Bride by CJ Young, Prince of Silk and Thorn and the Dragon Generals series by Maham Fatemi, and Condemning the Heavens and Blue Phoenix by Tinalynge.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Tapas Media to bring another dimension to their creators’ stories with audio,” said Scott Dickey, CEO, Podium. “Our approach has always been to identify the best new storytellers and support the conversion of their work to audio formats with best-in-class production capabilities and award-winning narrators. The talented creators and incredible stories on Tapas make this a perfect fit for Podium.”

“As with our Novel 2 Comic program, our goal is to help our creators by driving engaged audiences of novels to our comics, and comic readers to our novels,” adds Chang Kim, founder of Tapas Media. “Entering into this amazing partnership with Podium allows us to bring more value for creators like TurtleMe, as well as even richer reader experiences to fans of The Beginning After the End by further co-building this incredible IP through Podium’s unrivaled audiobook productions.”

With over 20,000 unit sales in 5 months for the Podium Audiobook series, and over 7 million views on Tapas between the novel and webcomic, and now plans for shopping the film and TV rights, partnerships like Tapas and Podium are allowing authors like TurtleMe to create their own kind of DIY success, and reach new audiences in very big numbers.

“It’s been generally accepted that in order for someone to ‘make it’ as an author, they need to first finish a book, find an agent, then get that book accepted by a traditional publisher. I’ve done none of these things,” says the author who goes by TurtleMe. “It’s my readers that keep me going, but it’s also platforms like Tapas Media and Podium Audio who love and are as invested in my story as I am. Through them, my humble little novel has been adapted into both a web comic and audiobook, which has gone on to build an excited readership not just in America, but around the world.”

Popular Tapas Media titles produced by Podium Audio include:

The Beginning After The End by TurtleMe, Narrated by Travis Baldree

A king with unrivaled strength, wealth, and prestige in a world governed by martial law is reincarnated into a new world filled with magic and monsters.

Legend of the Arch Magus by MSisa, Narrated by Tom Taylorson

A powerful arch magus fails in his quest for immortality and succumbs to death, only to find himself in the body of a dastardly young noble. How will he pave a path in his new life?

Condemning the Heavens by Tinalynge, Narrated by Scott Merriman

A humble, studious boy, detested for his inability to cultivate, receives a secret to power – power that gives him the ability to claim the mysteries of the world and secure his place as a legend.

Blue Phoenix by Tinalynge

After sacrificing his life for a friend, a boy is transported into a new world filled with dangers. Fortunately, he has the help of a mighty beast lying dormant within his new body.

The Dragon Prince’s Bride by CJ Young

A girl who was sold into slavery is kidnapped by a prince of dragons after saving his life, and now he’s determined to make her his bride. Will she find a way to escape, or will she be won over by her captor’s charms?

Prince of Silk and Thorn by Maham Fatemi

A strong and stubborn princess is forced to marry a seemingly lazy and aloof prince to avoid an impending war. Can a marriage of obligation blossom into something more?

Dragon Generals series by Maham Fatemi

These are interconnected stories that focus on a different character per book. Below is the description of Drakkon, which will most likely be published first in a pack with Zhulong:

When a sweet and kind girl catches the eye of the emperor while applying to be his concubine, he surprises her by naming her his bride and future empress. But the emperor’s reputation is drenched in blood, and she is in more danger than she might expect.