Castle Talk - Rebecca Anne Nguyen of The 23rd Hero discusses Audie Award Nomination and her process

On this episode of Castle Talk, Castle Bridge Media intern MacKenzie Cole interviews author Rebecca Anne Nguyen on her book The 23rd Hero.
News on The 23rd Hero
Rebecca Anne Nguyen’s Audiobook The 23rd Hero Nominated for Prestigious Audie Award
Castle Bridge Media is thrilled to announce that Milwaukee-based novelist and playwright Rebecca Anne Nguyen has received an Audie Award® nomination for her groundbreaking audiobook, The 23rd Hero! Published by Castle Bridge Media, this gripping time-travel adventure, in which a woman races to stop climate change before it begins, is a finalist in the highly competitive Narration By The Author category. Nguyen’s debut has placed her among industry icons like Whoopi Goldberg and Salman Rushdie.
The Audie Awards®, often referred to as the Oscars of audiobooks, celebrate the very best in the field. Past nominees and winners include luminaries such as Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, and Sam Heughan.

In The 23rd Hero, Nguyen delivers an extraordinary performance, voicing over 30 characters with accents ranging from French to Swedish. Speaking about her narration journey, Nguyen shared, “I never intended to narrate this audiobook myself, so I didn’t hold back when writing diverse characters from all corners of the globe. Recreating those voices was a challenge, but one I embraced wholeheartedly.”
Nguyen credits New York City dialect coach Erik Singer, known for his work with Austin Butler in Elvis, for helping her bring the characters to life. “Erik is a miracle worker,” Nguyen said. “He helped me navigate some of the toughest dialect challenges, including crafting a French accent from the 16th century before modern French existed. This nomination wouldn’t have been possible without his guidance.”
The audiobook was produced at Independent Studios in Milwaukee, WI, with expert sound design by Steve Kultgen.
The 2025 Audie Awards® winners will be announced at the Audies Gala in New York City on March 4.
Rebecca Anne Nguyen (she/her) is no stranger to acclaim. She won the 2024 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Adult Book (Bronze) for The 23rd Hero, which became a #1 Amazon bestseller. Pulitzer finalist Susan Choi hailed it as “a wild and marvelous ride.” Nguyen’s writing has also appeared in The New York Times, Insider, and Slackjaw.
For interviews, quotes, or additional information about The 23rd Hero, please contact Castle Bridge Media today.
About Castle Bridge Media
Castle Bridge Media is a leading independent publisher dedicated to discovering and amplifying fresh, compelling voices across genres. Specializing in horror, science fiction, and thrillers, we bring to life stories that push boundaries and captivate audiences. From groundbreaking novels to captivating audiobooks, we connect authors and readers with tales that inspire, entertain, and ignite imaginations. Our mission is to champion creativity and innovation in storytelling while delivering unforgettable experiences to readers and listeners worldwide.

Release information:
The 23rd Hero by Rebecca Anne Nguyen
Castle Bridge Media
Audio, Paperback and Kindle

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