ABOUT MAY WUTHRICH

In 2005, just when she was ready to move on from the literary scouting agency she had helmed for seven years, May and her six-year-old son listened, enraptured, to their first-ever audiobook: Hatchet, by the award-winning writer Gary Pauslen. Published by Listening Library and masterfully narrated by Peter Coyote, the  experience proved to be an "aha" moment that sent her in a new direction, one that combined her love of literature and performance.  Over ten years and over 400 audiobook productions later, May's exceptional track record as a producer and director affirms that her love affair with audiobooks has led to a perfect marriage. 

This marriage weaves together May’s wide-ranging skill set as a veteran media executive with over twenty-five years in the entertainment industry, May came to New York to pursue an acting career, but her interest soon turned to producing, production and the writer's creative process. She started off in the film business working for CBS Theatrical Films and MGM-UA and later was named Vice President of Development for Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Productions, and later for the late award-winning producer/writer/director Alan J. Pakula.

Her publishing experience began in traditional print, where she became an acquisitions and line editor and helped launch the Crime Line imprint of Bantam Books. At HarperMedia, she was involved in building out the HarperCollins Digital Warehouse. Over her career, May also ran the Literary Scouting Department of Writers House, and then formed her own scouting agency, Gotham Scouting Partners. Later, she joined Rob Weisbach Creative Management, where she represented multi-award-winning children's book author Jacqueline Woodson.

How May Works

May works on a for hire basis as a producer and/or director in consultation with publishers, independent authors and thought leaders. Her goal is to produce an audio program of outstanding excellence that sounds like it was recorded flawlessly in one take, thus ensuring that a perfectly clean, polished final product is delivered to the client.

Excellence begins with preparation and research. A thorough reading and analysis is followed by in-depth discussions with publisher, author and talent about the recommended approach for each unique project. From here on in, as producer, May handles all the details, executing decisions starting with budget and cast. Casting is one of the most important factors affecting the success of an audio program, and may involve the use of a single voice, multiple readers or a full cast. May auditions suitable actors and is available to coach authors reading their own books.

She schedules all recording sessions, using either professional studios or home studio narrrators. As director, May works along side the talent in studio, or remotely, to build, shape, and give consistency to a performance that is recorded over time. May supervises all aspects of post production, starting with the precision art of editing and includes mastering and quality control. She hires editors and proofers who share her high standards and commitment to delivering a final master, on budget and on time.