Gary Challender, President, Books In Motion Audiobooks
Founded in 1977, Books In Motion (BIM) began as an unexpected venture by Gary Challender, a career life and health insurance agent based in Spokane, Washington. While traveling across Eastern Washington for work, Gary had an idea: "I'm going to record some books onto cassette tapes so I can listen to them during my trips." Little did he know, this simple idea would grow into a thriving audiobook business.
Gary’s first step was to reach out to the author of his favorite book series, The Executioner, a popular action series. He managed to contact the author directly and, through a bit of persistence (a skill Gary, as an insurance agent, was well-versed in), he got the name of the author's literary agent. After contacting the agent, Gary successfully negotiated a non-exclusive right to record the books. The recording process took place at a local studio in Spokane Valley, with talented voice actor Gene Engene (who would go on to become one of the nation's top audiobook narrators according to the LA Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer) lending his voice to the first book.
The first book Gary recorded was so engaging that he listened to it six times during his travels. Encouraged by the positive experience and growing interest from friends and family, Gary expanded the idea, offering the recordings for rent to help offset the production costs. Over time, this small project evolved into a growing business with a catalog of audiobooks, including public domain titles.
By 1980, Books In Motion was officially incorporated as Classic Ventures LTD, doing business as Books In Motion. At that time, Gary faced significant competition from major audiobook producers like Books On Tape and Recorded Books, who were leading the industry with full-length unabridged recordings on cassette tapes. However, the market for audiobooks was still limited, primarily consisting of abridged versions. As Books In Motion navigated these challenges, the company found its niche by partnering with Stanford University to create audiobook versions of their alumni continuing education materials.
This partnership, along with a series of successful projects, including a major book promotion featured in Entrepreneur magazine, helped establish Books In Motion as a key player in the growing audiobook industry. Eventually, Books In Motion opened its own in-house recording studios, investing in top-quality equipment and professional narrators to ensure the highest level of production.
As the public library market grew, Books In Motion became a leading supplier of audiobooks nationwide, serving thousands of libraries across the country. In 1988, Books In Motion took a significant step by entering the publishing world, offering new authors the opportunity to produce audiobooks of their works. One of their first success stories came from local author team M & M Lehman. Their book caught Gary’s attention when Marietta Lehman literally marched into his office, demanding to know when the book would be recorded. After some convincing, Gary agreed, and the book turned into a bestseller, establishing Books In Motion’s reputation as a trusted partner for emerging authors.
Gene Engene, the company’s main voice talent, became an integral part of BIM’s success. A respected associate professor at Eastern Washington University, Gene lent his voice to hundreds of audiobooks, including the beloved J.P. Beaumont series by J.A. Jance. Jance herself praised Gene's narration, saying that his voice perfectly matched her vision for the character, bringing the protagonist to life in a way that was both thrilling and uncanny.
In 1994, Books In Motion launched an innovative audiobook rental program targeted at long-haul truck drivers. The company partnered with truckstops across the nation, placing audiobook rental racks in over 600 locations from coast to coast. This program proved immensely popular, with thousands of truck drivers joining and renting audiobooks during their long trips. However, the rise of CDs (which wore out much faster than cassettes) eventually made the program unsustainable, leading BIM to shift its focus to digital downloads.
Today, Books In Motion has embraced the digital age, offering downloads of its extensive audiobook catalog worldwide. The company continues to be a trusted supplier to major partners such as Audible and Spotify while remaining committed to its roots as a small, independent business. Books In Motion has weathered 45 years of market changes, technological advancements, and competition, all while staying true to its mission of producing high-quality audiobooks that delight and inspire listeners.
Gary Challender, President and CEO, remains dedicated to the company’s legacy.
"When my time in this business is done, Books In Motion will be passed on to my employees, who will continue the traditions we've established," he says. As the company looks toward the future, it continues to prioritize customer satisfaction and the creation of exceptional audiobook experiences.
At Books In Motion, we remain committed to delivering the best in audiobook production — a legacy that began on a long drive in 1977 and continues to thrive today.