AMP Audiobook Editor named 2022 PW Star Watch Honoree

Kansas City, MO (October 24, 2022) — Andrews McMeel Publishing (AMP) is pleased to share that Charlie Upchurch, Audiobook Editor, was named a PW Star Watch honoree, one of 41 honorees selected for the 2022 awards, which identify and celebrate innovators in book publishing.

The group of honorees includes representatives from the Big Five publishers, independent houses, comics publishers, literary agents, booksellers and others who influence books that get read. From among the 41 honorees, five finalists will be announced on October 26, 2022, and one “Superstar” will be revealed at the in-person celebratory reception on November 15, 2022, to be held in New York. Publishers Weekly magazine will feature a profile of the honorees in its October 31, 2022 issue.

“I am truly honored to work at a company where the breadth of my skills is honored, and I can’t imagine, looking back on things, how I could have orchestrated this career path,” said Upchurch. “I always knew I wanted a career in audio, and the addition of publishing (with my early and continued love of the written word) makes so much sense in hindsight.”

Kirsty Melville, AMP’s President and Publisher, spotted Upchurch’s talent and created the role specifically for her. “Charlie is a role model for our business and our core values of creativity, care and trust, collaboration, and courageous leadership. To her colleagues at Andrews McMeel, Charlie Upchurch is a star to follow, not just to watch.”

Upchurch got her start at Andrews McMeel Universal (AMU) in 2015 as a production editor in Pagination Service for its syndication division before shifting in 2018 to become AMP’s first audiobook editor.

Since then, Upchurch has built AMP’s business from 10 titles to a growing, profitable catalog of more than 130 audiobooks. With no previous publishing experience, she seized the opportunity with passion and a commitment to excellence. Today, Upchurch is the executive producer of several award-winning and best-selling audiobook titles, including:

  • 2019 Independent Audiobook Awards – Kintsugi by Celine Santini and The Ghost Network: Activate by I.I. Davidson
  • 2022 IPPY Awards – Call Me Athena by Colby Smith, Space is Cool by Kate Howells
  • 2022 Audie Award Finalist – Vulnerable AFby Tarriona Ball
  • 2022 #1 Audible poetry best-seller debut­ –Some Things I Still Can’t Tell You by Misha Collins

“Although some of our content doesn’t translate easily into audio, Charlie embraces this challenge and creatively adapts our wide variety of genres into immersive and original narratives, applying new and innovative ideas to each project,” said Kristen Minter, Director of Digital Publishing. “Her strong initiative and passion for the audio industry has been widely effective in expanding our digital presence.”

Upchurch has also helped acquire and served as editor on print titles for AMP, including the New York Times bestseller A Haunted Road Atlas, by Christine Schiefer & Em Schulz.

About Andrews McMeel Publishing:

Andrews McMeel Publishing is a division of Andrews McMeel Universal, a global, independent, and integrated media partner to creators of inspirational content, comics, and illustrated humor. It distributes creator content through global syndication; book, calendar, and greeting card publishing; digital consumer experiences; and entertainment licensing. For more information, please visit andrewsmcmeel.com.

About Publishers Weekly

Now celebrating its 150th anniversary, Publishers Weekly is the international news platform of the book publishing industry. Founded in 1872 and published weekly since then, the magazine boasts 1.23 million social media followers; publishes 10 e-newsletters, BookLife (a website and weekly supplement), two blogs, a mobile edition, digital editions, apps and podcasts; and features a thriving website that reaches 14 million unique visitors annually.