Voice AI company ElevenLabs has officially launched a new feature that allows authors to create and publish AI-generated audiobooks directly through its Reader app. This move comes shortly after the company announced its partnership with Spotify for AI-narrated audiobooks.
ElevenLabs, which recently secured a $180 million funding round, initially introduced this publishing program on a trial basis last year. Now, the program is open to all authors, offering them a seamless and cost-effective way to produce audiobooks without the high costs associated with studio recording.
The company aims to challenge Audible by providing authors with better royalty rates. Under this model, audiobooks will be available exclusively through ElevenLabs’ Reader app, and authors will receive compensation based on user engagement. Currently, the company offers approximately $1.10 per audiobook when a listener engages with it for at least 11 minutes.
During the testing phase, the average listening time on the Reader app was recorded at 19 minutes per session. While ElevenLabs believes its payout rates are among the most competitive in the industry, it acknowledges that adjustments may be made as the program expands.
Initially, payouts will be available to authors in the U.S. for English-language audiobooks. However, ElevenLabs plans to expand these payments to include audiobooks in all 32 languages it supports.
Looking ahead, ElevenLabs is developing a marketplace where authors can sell their audiobooks, further enhancing monetization opportunities for creators.
Beyond self-publishing, ElevenLabs provides AI-powered audiobook creation services for authors and publishers through its paid subscription plans, which range from $11 to $330 per month. This pricing structure offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional audiobook production, which typically involves expensive studio time and professional voice actors.
The company’s technology is already powering other audio platforms, including Pocket FM and Kuku FM, enabling them to convert text into high-quality audio content. With this latest expansion, ElevenLabs continues to push the boundaries of AI-generated narration, making audiobook creation more accessible than ever.
