NOVELCAST
Novelcast is a Paris-based audio production studio founded in 2011 that produces audiobooks and multi-actor audio fiction for major French publishers including Audible, Storytel, Lizzie, and Sybel, operating a 200m² studio with proprietary workflow software and Dolby Atmos capability.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NOVELCAST does
Novelcast is a Paris-based audio production studio founded in 2011 by Jean-Baptiste Jeannot, focused on audiobook narration and multi-actor audio fiction for major French-language publishers and audio platforms. The company produces end-to-end audio content — covering casting, studio recording, post-production, sound design, and mastering — for clients including Audible, Storytel, Lizzie, Lind&Co, Bookwire, Sybel, and Circé, with a stated track record of 950+ audiobooks and over 10,000 hours of audiobook content since 2016. Its 200m² Paris facility includes a 30m² modular live recording stage capable of directing up to 5 actors in real-time interaction, two intimate 5m² speak booths, and three post-production stations with Pro Tools Ultimate HDX and Dolby Atmos monitoring.
The company's product surface spans B2B production services (offered under three engagement models: full turnkey Plan A, collaborative Plan B, and co-production Plan C), original audio fiction and podcast IP (distributed via Audible, Sybel, and Circé for licensing/royalty revenue), and professional training programs for actors (Qualiopi-certified, AFDAS-financed through SCORF Coopérative). Novelcast also maintains a proprietary software suite — Noveltrain (production load management), NovelPlanner (scheduling), Wordcutter (manuscript analysis), PDF Processor (foreign word extraction), VoiceQ (synchronized narration), harmonized pronunciation glossaries, and automated rushes/cross-talk detection — developed in-house over more than a decade of audiobook production. Notable productions include The Sandman trilogy with 78-actor ensembles, the Alien franchise audio adaptations, 1984 featuring Laetitia Casta and Lambert Wilson, and the X-Files French adaptations.
The business operates as a sales-led B2B studio with direct engagement to enterprise publishers and platforms, supplemented by referrals, professional networking (LinkedIn), and audio sample showcases (SoundCloud, YouTube). The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding, no acquisitions, and approximately 11-12 core staff. Its most recent notable activity includes the suspension of the advanced training program due to regulatory restructuring and ongoing franchise commissions for Audible and other platforms.
NOVELCAST firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NOVELCAST
- Legal name
- Novelcast
- Website
- https://novelcast.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Novelcast is a Paris-based audio production studio founded in 2011 that produces audiobooks and multi-actor audio fiction for major French publishers including Audible, Storytel, Lizzie, and Sybel, operating a 200m² studio with proprietary workflow software and Dolby Atmos capability.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NOVELCAST industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audiobook and Audio Fiction Production Services
- NAICS
- Sound Recording Studios (51224)
- SIC
- Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audiobook Production & Studios (Narration, Recording, Editing, Mastering) (MPAJAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Exclusive/Original Audio Content Studios (Audio Originals, Serialized Audio) (MPAJAIAF), Audiobook Localization & Accessibility (Translation, Accents, DAISY/Accessible Formats) (MPAJAIAH)
Keywords
Where NOVELCAST is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
NOVELCAST business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Audiobook Production Services: Full-service and collaborative audiobook production for major publishers including Audible, Lizzie, Lind&Co, Bookwire, and Storytel. Services cover the full production pipeline from glossary creation and manuscript analysis to casting, recording, post-production, and mastering. Three engagement models are offered: Plan A (full turnkey production), Plan B (collaborative consulting with shared editorial control), and Plan C (co-production with shared financial investment and royalty participation).
- Audio Fiction Production: Production of multi-actor audio fiction series and podcasts for clients and for Novelcast's own catalog. Services include script writing, adaptation, music composition, casting, studio recording, sound design, post-production, stereo or binaural/Dolby Atmos mixing, and project management. Clients include Audible Originals, Sybel, Circé, Lizzie, and others.
- Audio Training Programs: Professional training courses for actors and voice performers on audiobook interpretation and casting techniques. Programs include one-day workshops, three-day courses, and five-day advanced training, priced at 350 EUR, 1,050 EUR, and 1,550 EUR respectively. These are eligible for AFDAS financing through Novelcast's membership in SCORF Coopérative.
- Original Content Catalog: Novelcast develops and owns original audio fiction content for its own catalog, including series such as Le Signe de l'Ogre, L'Évangile selon Pilate, and others distributed through Audible, Sybel, and Circé platforms, generating revenue through licensing and royalties.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Formation n°1: Réussir son casting de livre audio – 7h, 3 participants |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Formation n°2: Se former à l'interprétation de livre audio – 21h, 6 participants |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Formation n°3: Interprétation approfondie de livre audio – 32h, 6 participants |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
NOVELCAST product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Novelcast is a Paris-based audio production studio that provides end-to-end audiobook and audio fiction production services for major French-language publishers (Audible, Storytel, Lizzie, Lind&Co, Bookwire) and audio streaming platforms (Sybel, Circé). The studio delivers the full pipeline including manuscript analysis, casting, studio and remote recording, post-production, sound design, and Dolby Atmos/binaural mastering, with three engagement models: full turnkey production (Plan A), collaborative consulting (Plan B), and co-production with shared royalty participation (Plan C). The company also develops original audio fiction content for its own catalog and operates a Qualiopi-certified audiobook interpretation training program for actors.
Product overview
NOVELCAST is a Paris-based audio production studio offering a comprehensive suite of audio content creation services. The core offering centers on audiobook production for major publishers (Audible, Lizzie, Lind&Co, Bookwire, Storytel) and original fiction series production with capabilities to direct multi-actor ensembles on a live recording stage. Supporting services include casting, professional recording (studio and remote via Riverside), logistics coordination, post-production, and sound design. The company operates 200m² production facilities featuring a 30m² modular recording stage, intimate speak booths, and Dolby Atmos-equipped post-production stations. Novelcast also offers proprietary production management software (Noveltrain) and professional training programs for audiobook actors, making it a vertically integrated audio production studio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Novelcast Formation: Audiobook interpretation training programs for actors, including casting success, audio interpretation, and advanced interpretation courses.
Quantifiable outcome
- Production capacity of 10–12 audiobooks per month while maintaining consistent artistic and technical quality
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use NOVELCAST
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
NOVELCAST technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature8 records
NOVELCAST partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.
- AudiblecoreAudible is Novelcast's primary and most prominent client, commissioning production of numerous audiobooks and audio fiction series. Novelcast has produced major Audible titles including The Sandman trilogy (with up to 78 actors per production), 1984 (featuring Laetitia Casta, Lambert Wilson, and Dali Benssalah), the full Alien franchise audio adaptations, and X-Files seasons 1 and 2. Audible acts as both commissioning client and distribution platform for these productions.
- AFDAS (via SCORF Coopérative)supportingNovelcast is a member of SCORF Coopérative, a Qualiopi-certified training organization. This membership enables Novelcast's professional training programs for actors and voice performers to be eligible for partial or full financing through AFDAS, France's professional training fund for the cultural and creative industries.
- L'Éléphant – La revue de culture généralesupportingL'Éléphant magazine is the primary content partner for Novelcast's Le Pensophone podcast series. Novelcast adapts articles from the culture and society magazine into audio podcasts covering philosophy, science, history, biography, and cultural topics. The partnership has produced over 54 podcast series with 2–5 episodes each.
- We DemainsupportingWe Demain magazine partnered with Novelcast to adapt articles from the society and culture publication into audio format for Le Pensophone podcast series, marking their first trust in the podcast project.
- SybelcoreSybel is a French audio streaming platform that partners with Novelcast for original audio drama production. Co-produced series include Passion Commune (historical drama), Libérés des Maux (documentary about disability), and Chez Elles (comedy). Novelcast handles full production from script development through post-production and delivery.
- Lizzie.audiocoreLizzie.audio partnered with Novelcast for the production of Le Bureau des affaires occultes – Bas les masques, an audio adaptation of the comic book inspired by Eric Fouassier's novel series. Novelcast handled script adaptation, sound design, recording, and mixing for the 1h40 production.
- CircésupportingCircé publishing house partnered with Novelcast for the production of Rouge (Des Contes de Crimm), a horror fiction series reimagining classic fairy tales in modern society. Novelcast produced the full audio drama including direction, sound design, and Dolby Atmos mixing.
- StorytelcoreStorytel, a major European audiobook and e-book streaming platform, is one of the publishers for whom Novelcast has produced audiobooks since 2016, contributing to their French-language audiobook catalog.
- BookwiresupportingBookwire, a digital publishing services platform, is among the publishers commissioning audiobook production from Novelcast for their French-language catalog.
- Lind&CosupportingLind&Co, a Swedish audiobook publisher operating in France, commissions audiobook production from Novelcast for their French-language catalog.
- LizziecoreLizzie, a French audiobook publisher, is among the key publishers commissioning audiobook production from Novelcast for their French-language catalog, alongside Audible and Storytel.
- AFM TéléthonminorAFM Téléthon partnered with Novelcast and Sybel for the production of Libérés des Maux, a documentary podcast giving voice to young people with disabilities and their families, produced in support of the Téléthon initiative.
- Frigiel and SiphanosupportingFrench YouTubers Frigiel and Siphano (with 4 million combined followers) participated as voice actors in Le Village audio series, bringing their existing audience to the production and collaborating on youth audio content featuring Minecraft-like visual aesthetics.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NOVELCAST competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Recorded Books: Long-established audiobook publisher producing fiction, non-fiction and education titles. Comparable to Novelcast in audiobook production scale and library distribution, but operating at the publisher-distributor layer rather than as an independent studio.
- Tantor Audio: Audiobook-focused publisher and producer producing across fiction and non-fiction. Comparable to Novelcast in audiobook delivery model, though operating as publisher/producer hybrid rather than as an independent B2B production studio.
- Audible Studios: In-house audiobook and audio drama production arm of Audible/Amazon, producing originals across multiple languages. Comparable to Novelcast as both a producer of audio drama and as the platform through which Novelcast-distributed titles are commercialised; partially a customer (commissioning Novelcast) and partially a competitor (in-house capacity).
- Blackstone Publishing: Audiobook publisher producing thousands of titles annually across genres. Comparable to Novelcast as a scaled audiobook producer, but vertically integrated as a publisher rather than operating as a pure B2B studio serving external publishers.
- HarperAudio: Audiobook production arm of HarperCollins producing across fiction and non-fiction. Comparable to Novelcast as a major-publisher audio production operation, contrasting with Novelcast's independent, multi-publisher B2B model.
- Penguin Random House Audio: Major publisher-owned audio production arm producing thousands of audiobooks per year across genres. Comparable to Novelcast as a scaled audiobook production operation, but operates as an internalised function of a major publisher rather than as an independent B2B studio serving multiple publishers.
Emerging players
- Realm: Audio fiction production and distribution platform producing serialized scripted audio content. Comparable to Novelcast's Plan C co-productions and original content catalog as an emerging player in the serialized audio fiction category.
Direct peers
- GraphicAudio: US audiobook production company specialising in full-cast audio drama adaptations of genre fiction. Comparable to Novelcast as a dedicated audiobook/audio drama production shop producing multi-actor adaptations for publisher and direct-to-consumer distribution.
- QCODE Media: Premium audio fiction production studio focused on cinematic, immersive scripted podcasts and audio drama for major streaming platforms. Directly comparable to Novelcast's multi-actor audio fiction work for Audible Originals, Sybel and Circé in business model and creative ambition.
- Audio Up: Independent scripted audio drama and podcast production studio producing premium narrative content for major platforms. Directly comparable to Novelcast's audio fiction production work (Sybel, Audible Originals) in business model and target buyer (audio streaming platforms).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NOVELCAST social profiles
Digital presenceNOVELCAST compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
NOVELCAST financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NOVELCAST leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
NOVELCAST funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NOVELCAST M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NOVELCAST
What does NOVELCAST do?
Novelcast is a Paris-based audio production studio that provides end-to-end audiobook and audio fiction production services for major French-language publishers (Audible, Storytel, Lizzie, Lind&Co, Bookwire) and audio streaming platforms (Sybel, Circé). The studio delivers the full pipeline including manuscript analysis, casting, studio and remote recording, post-production, sound design, and Dolby Atmos/binaural mastering, with three engagement models: full turnkey production (Plan A), collaborative consulting (Plan B), and co-production with shared royalty participation (Plan C). The company also develops original audio fiction content for its own catalog and operates a Qualiopi-certified audiobook interpretation training program for actors.
Is NOVELCAST a public or private company?
NOVELCAST is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was NOVELCAST founded?
NOVELCAST was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is NOVELCAST based?
NOVELCAST is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does NOVELCAST make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Audiobook Production Services are the primary driver. The others are audio Fiction Production, audio Training Programs and original Content Catalog.
Who are NOVELCAST's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Recorded Books, Tantor Audio, Audible Studios, Blackstone Publishing, HarperAudio and Penguin Random House Audio. Realm is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are GraphicAudio, QCODE Media and Audio Up.
Does NOVELCAST have an API?
No public API is recorded for NOVELCAST.
What industry is NOVELCAST in?
NOVELCAST's product category is Audiobook and Audio Fiction Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAIAB, Audiobook Production & Studios (Narration, Recording, Editing, Mastering), with a secondary code of MPAJAIAF, Exclusive/Original Audio Content Studios (Audio Originals, Serialized Audio). Its NAICS code is 51224 and its SIC code is 3652.