ElevenLabs is expanding into audiobook publishing with its Reader app, allowing authors to create and distribute AI-narrated audiobooks.
This development follows its recent partnership with Spotify and introduces a new option in the audiobook market, competing with platforms like Audible.
Making Audiobook Production More Accessible
Initially launched as a trial, ElevenLabs’ audiobook publishing program is now available to all authors.
The company aims to lower the barriers to audiobook production by providing AI-generated narration, which can significantly reduce costs compared to traditional studio recordings.
This approach offers independent authors and publishers a streamlined way to bring their books to an audio format.
Unlike traditional royalty-based models, ElevenLabs provides direct payments to authors based on user engagement.
Traditional Audiobook Production
- Professional studio recording with human narrators
- High production costs and time-intensive processes
- Extensive editing and manual quality control
- Limited scalability and slower turnaround
AI-Generated Audiobooks
- Upload ePub, DOCX, or PDF files for instant narration
- Access to thousands of customizable AI voices
- Significantly lower production costs and faster turnaround
- Automated editing and quality assurance
- Scalable production with a direct engagement-based revenue model
Currently, the company pays approximately $1.10 when a listener spends at least 11 minutes with an audiobook. During testing, the average listener engagement was around 19 minutes. However, ElevenLabs notes that payout rates may evolve as the program expands.
Expansion Plans and Monetization Opportunities
At present, the program is available only for English-language audiobooks and U.S.-based authors, but there are plans to expand to additional languages.
In addition to offering a publishing tool, ElevenLabs is developing a marketplace where authors can sell their audiobooks, potentially enhancing monetization opportunities.
ElevenLabs CEO Mati Staniszewski has emphasized the company’s focus on consumer-facing applications.
Having already established itself as a provider of AI-generated audio for platforms like Pocket FM and Kuku FM, the company is now expanding its role beyond AI-generated voices into content distribution.
Addressing the Audiobook Production Gap
Less than 5% of published books are released as audiobooks, largely due to the costs and time involved in traditional production.
ElevenLabs seeks to address this gap by offering an AI-powered solution through ElevenReader Publishing, allowing authors to convert books into audiobooks with minimal effort.
How ElevenReader Publishing Works
ElevenLabs has designed its audiobook creation process to be accessible and efficient. Authors can:
- Import books in ePub, DOCX, or PDF formats.
- Generate AI-narrated previews in seconds using a selection of thousands of voices.
- Publish instantly on the ElevenReader app for global distribution.
- Allow listeners to select preferred narration styles.
- Track audience engagement through analytics.
Revenue Model and Author Control
Authors earn payments based on listener engagement, with the current model offering $1.10 per listener who spends at least 11 minutes on an audiobook.
For each listener who engages for at least 11 minutes, a payment of $1.10 is triggered.
The program does not require exclusivity, allowing authors to distribute their content across multiple platforms while maintaining full control of their intellectual property.
Additional Features and Integration
For those seeking more control over narration, ElevenLabs offers Studio, a premium toolset with advanced voice customization options, pacing adjustments, and multi-speaker selection.
Audiobooks created through ElevenLabs can be exported directly to Spotify via Findaway Voices, expanding distribution reach.
Author Feedback
Several authors have shared their experiences with the platform:
- Leeanna Morgan (USA Today Best-Selling Author): “For the first time, readers can control how they hear audiobooks. ElevenReader offers the highest quality AI narration available today.”
- Joseph Nassise (New York Times Best-Selling Author): “I’ve written over 65 books, and ElevenReader lets me make more audio stories available with lifelike narration.”
- E.S. Martell (Sci-Fi Author): “I was skeptical of AI audiobooks, but ElevenLabs’ quality exceeded my expectations.”
AI-Narrated Audiobooks
With plans to introduce support for 31 additional languages and deeper integration across platforms, ElevenLabs is positioning itself as a growing player in the audiobook industry.
By simplifying production and distribution, the platform could provide more opportunities for independent authors while expanding the availability of AI-narrated content for listeners.
As audiobook consumption continues to grow globally, the introduction of AI-generated narration could play a role in shaping the future of the industry by making content creation more accessible and cost-effective.
