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Odiyo, the Caribbean’s pioneering digital audiobook platform, has acquired audio rights to five titles from independent publisher Akashic Books, including two novels by the late Jamaican author Anthony Winkler.
Under the agreement, Odiyo will produce and release audiobook editions of The Tower of the Antilles by Achy Obejas; My Own Dear People by Dwight Thompson; God Carlos and The Family Mansion by Anthony Winkler, and Watch Out for Falling Iguanas by Edwidge Danticat.
Welcoming the partnership, CEO of Akashic Books, Johnny Temple shared, “We are thrilled to see these extraordinary works find new life in audio through Odiyo. The Caribbean’s literary tradition is rich, diverse, and deserving of wider access. Odiyo’s commitment to amplifying regional voices makes them the perfect partner for these titles.”
Winkler, best known for his internationally celebrated novel The Lunatic, remains one of Jamaica’s most beloved literary figures. This deal ensures that God Carlos and The Family Mansion will be available in audio for the first time, preserving Winkler’s sharp wit, historical insight, and uniquely Jamaican storytelling.
Lesley-Ann Wanliss, Odiyo’s head of acquisitions, described the significance of the deal when she said, “These are important works, not just for their literary merit, but for the way they capture and preserve the Caribbean’s voice and history. This partnership began through our shared mission with Akashic Books to make under-represented stories accessible to more listeners. For Odiyo users, it means the ability to experience these narratives in an intimate and dynamic way, whether they’re discovering them for the first time or revisiting them in a new format.”
This acquisition marks a continued expansion of the app’s curated catalogue of Caribbean literature in audio form.
English (US) ·