We’re delighted to announce that our BAIPA President, Becky Parker Geist, was awarded the 2026 SOVAS Best Audiobook Producer award for the full cast immersive audiobook of The Legend of Valentine that she co-produced and co-directed with author Sheldon Collins. The SOVAS awards are akin to the Academy Awards for the voiceover industry. 

The Legend of Valentine received eight SOVAS nominations across four categories and secured wins for Best Audiobook Producer and Best Audiobook Sound Design.

A TALE EXTENDING FAR BEYOND THE HOLIDAY

Featuring more than 20 international voice actors, cinematic sound design, and an original score by Grammy-nominated composer Stephen Endelman, and produced over 14 months, the audiobook edition is drawing widespread critical praise.

Kirkus Reviews highlighted its immersive performances and emotional depth, while the SOVAS Awards — often referred to as the “Oscars of audiobooks” — recognized the production as one of the year’s most accomplished.

“Listeners are in for a treat as this audiobook recounts the exploits of the legendary Saint Valentine… Listeners will be immersed in a vivid ancient world they won’t soon forget.”
— Kirkus Reviews, January 22, 2026

Through international distribution by Collins’ independent publishing company, Hutchinson & Collins Publishing, The Legend of Valentine has reached audiences across the globe, revealing a growing international curiosity about the origins of Valentine’s Day.

“There’s a real hunger right now for origin stories — and we can see clear evidence of that in how audiences are engaging with this material,” Collins says. “People want to know where the Valentine’s Day story came from, and not just in the U.S.”

FROM PAGE TO SOUND — AND NOW TO SCREEN

Building on the success of the novel and audiobook, Collins has partnered with composer-producer Stephen Endelman to develop The Legend of Valentine as a limited television series. Collins has written the pilot script and series framework, with the creative team actively engaging in conversations with multiple studios and production partners.

The adaptation is designed to align closely with the immersive scope of the audiobook — expanding the story visually while preserving its emotional and historical core.

“I see this project as only two-thirds complete,” Collins says. “I started climbing this mountain two years ago, and I won’t stop until this story reaches audiences in every form it deserves. There’s a global audience asking for it — and I feel a responsibility to meet that.”

At a time when the entertainment industry is increasingly focused on proven intellectual property, Collins notes that the Valentine legend may be one of the most time-tested stories of all.

“Hollywood is looking for stories that last,” he adds. “This one has survived for 1,800 years. As long as there is love in the world, this story will continue to thrive.”

GET YOUR COPY TODAY

Get your copy of The Legend of Valentine full cast immersive audiobook HERE on AMPlify Audiobooks™.