ElevenLabs Revolutionizes Audiobook Publishing with AI
ElevenLabs, a leading voice AI company, has taken a significant step forward by allowing authors to publish AI-generated audiobooks directly on its Reader app. This exciting development, first reported by TechCrunch, comes on the heels of ElevenLabs’ partnership with Spotify for AI-narrated audiobooks.
A New Era for Authors
The move to open up the publishing program to all authors marks a pivotal moment for the industry. Previously, ElevenLabs had been inviting authors to test the waters on a trial basis, as noted in an earlier TechCrunch article. Now, with the program fully accessible, authors can leverage affordable and accessible tools to create audiobooks that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive in a traditional studio setting.
Competing with Audible
ElevenLabs aims to challenge the dominance of Audible by offering a more author-friendly platform. The company believes that Audible’s royalty rates are less favorable, and under ElevenLabs’ model, authors will receive payments when listeners engage with their content on the Reader app. Currently, authors earn approximately $1.10 when listeners spend 11 minutes or more with an audiobook.
During the testing phase, the average user spent 19 minutes listening to published books on the app, indicating strong engagement. While ElevenLabs considers these rates to be among the best in the industry, they may adjust as the program scales.
Expanding Opportunities
Initially, payouts are available to U.S. authors for English-only titles, but ElevenLabs plans to extend this to titles in the 32 languages it supports for audiobooks. The company also envisions creating a marketplace where authors can sell their content directly.
For authors and publishers looking to generate audiobooks, ElevenLabs offers paid plans ranging from $11 to $330 per month. This is a more cost-effective solution than booking studio time and hiring voice actors. Notably, ElevenLabs has already powered other audio platforms like Pocket FM and Kuku FM, showcasing its versatility in turning text into audio content.
The Future of Audiobook Publishing
ElevenLabs’ CEO, Mati Staniszewski, has expressed a vision to expand into more consumer experiences, aligning with the company’s move to become a publishing and distribution platform for indie content. This strategic shift could reshape the audiobook landscape, offering new opportunities for authors and listeners alike.
Conclusion
ElevenLabs’ decision to allow authors to publish AI-generated audiobooks on its Reader app is a game-changer for the industry. By providing competitive royalty rates and challenging Audible’s market dominance, ElevenLabs is empowering authors to reach new audiences. As the program evolves, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the broader audiobook market and whether other platforms like Spotify will follow suit.
Stay tuned for more updates on ElevenLabs and the future of AI-generated audiobooks. What are your thoughts on this development? Join the conversation and share your insights below.
Source: TechCrunch
