ElevenLabs AI will generate audiobooks for you for free in just a few minutes.

      ElevenLabs, a trendy company based in New York that focuses on AI audio technology, is fully entering the audiobook publishing sector. Just days after securing a partnership with Spotify to distribute audiobooks on its streaming service, the firm is promoting a free offer to attract authors away from the dominant Amazon Audible platform.

      The AI company is making its ElevenReader Publishing platform available to everyone, which can be accessed through the ElevenReader app on both Android and iOS devices. The most appealing aspect of this new publishing platform is its no-cost model, along with a built-in distribution network aimed at a worldwide audience.

      All narration will utilize voices from the ElevenLabs AI audio models library, which the company asserts provides “realistic, versatile, and contextually-aware speech.” Speed is also a significant advantage; authors can simply upload their text files and have an audiobook produced “in minutes,” in contrast to human narration.

      ElevenLabs states that authors can choose from more than a thousand AI voice options. Additionally, readers can select their preferred narration voice within the ElevenReader app. The company primarily targets independent authors and publishers.

      Writers desiring more detailed control over parameters such as narration speed, multi-speaker features, and voice customization will need to subscribe to the Studio suite available from ElevenLabs.

      This represents a substantial shift in the audiobook market. Currently, audiobook production is limited to English, although the company aims to introduce 31 additional languages soon. Once published, audiobooks will be distributed globally through the company’s reader platform.

      Similar to Amazon’s Audible service, ElevenReader will also provide a royalty of $1.10 for each individual who listens to an audiobook for at least 11 minutes. However, this royalty program is currently available only in the US, as the company continues to refine tax details for international markets.

      The demand for audiobooks is at an all-time high, yet production costs mean many stories remain untold. Now, any independent author or publisher can upload the text of their book, experiment with thousands of voices, and distribute through the ElevenReader app—all at no cost.

      Like streaming platforms such as Spotify and YouTube, authors will also have access to detailed engagement metrics and analytics through the ElevenReader Publishing platform.

      Another significant aspect is the lack of an exclusivity clause, which often causes concern for authors on the Amazon Audible platform. “Your work remains yours. There are no exclusivity restrictions when you join our program,” states ElevenLabs.

      Nevertheless, competing platforms might not be very receptive to AI-narrated audiobooks. ElevenLabs cautions, “Please note that many other audiobook platforms like Audible, Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble may not accept AI-narrated audiobooks.”

      For now, ElevenReader Publishing is entirely free for authors wishing to publish their audiobooks, and the ElevenReader app is also free for smartphone users.

      It is important to note that this AI-driven platform threatens the jobs of real voice actors and other professionals involved in audiobook production. ElevenLabs claims it compensated voice actors over a million dollars last year.