Macmillan Acquires Sounds True’s Book and Audio Backlist

Macmillan acquires Sounds True’s 3,000-title backlist, expanding its wellness, mind-body-spirit offerings under St. Martin’s Essentials and Macmillan Audio.

on Nov 03, 2025

Macmillan Acquires Sounds True’s Book and Audio Backlist

Macmillan has bought the book, e-book, audiobook, and audio original backlists of its longtime distribution client, Sounds True. Based in Louisville, Colo., Sounds True was founded in 1985 by Tami Simon as an audiobook publisher in the wellness and mind-body-spirit space and over time branched out into books and e-books.

The Macmillan announcement said that the deal includes all backlist works, forthcoming titles and original audio content. Books and e-books will be published under St. Martin's Essentials and carry that imprint's name while Sounds True audio content will be published by Macmillan Audio under the Macmillan Audio name.

Simon will stay with Sounds True, concentrating on the company's direct-to-consumer platform, which encompasses online learning, events, and digital media. "After forty years, it feels like a growth-filled evolution for our publishing program to expand further with such a trusted and mission-aligned partner," Simon said in a statement.

According to Sounds True's website, the company has about 3,000 titles, but a Macmillan spokesperson couldn't confirm the number of works it acquired.

The purchase represents a rare acquisition for Macmillan, which has favored starting new imprints and other initiatives internally as opposed to growth via acquisitions. "This acquisition represents our deepening investment in content that helps people live with greater intention, clarity, and purpose," said Macmillan CEO Jon Yaged in a statement.

Under St. Martin's Essentials, Sounds True's books and e-books will be overseen by Jennifer Enderlin, president and publisher of the St. Martin's Publishing Group. Mary Beth Roche, president and publisher of Macmillan Audio, will oversee the integration of Sounds True's audio catalog.

Joining St. Martin's Essentials and Macmillan Audio are leading Sounds True authors including Jon Kabat-Zinn, Pema Chödrön, Richard C. Schwartz, Caroline Myss, David Deida, Tara Brach, Wim Hof, Terri Cole, and Jack Kornfield.