ElevenLabs Launches Audiobook Creation and Publishing on Its Platform
Voice AI company ElevenLabs is now opening the doors for authors to publish AI-generated audiobooks directly on its Reader app, a move confirmed to TechCrunch just days after their partnership with Spotify for AI-narrated audiobooks was announced.
Last month, ElevenLabs secured a whopping $180 million in funding, and they've been quietly inviting authors to test their publishing program through the app since last year. Now, as of today, the program is fully open to all authors eager to dive in.

Image Credits:ElevenLabs
The company's goal is crystal clear: to offer an affordable and accessible way for authors to create audiobooks, which traditionally could break the bank with studio production costs. ElevenLabs sees itself as a competitor to Audible, criticizing the latter for its lower royalty rates. Instead, ElevenLabs promises to pay authors based on user engagement within its own Reader app.
Currently, authors earn about $1.10 when listeners spend 11 minutes or more with an audiobook. During the testing phase, users averaged around 19 minutes per session, which ElevenLabs boasts as one of the best rates in the industry, though these might shift as the program grows.
For now, payouts are available to U.S. authors for English-only titles, but ElevenLabs has its sights set on expanding to all 32 languages it supports for audiobooks. They're also planning to launch a marketplace where authors can sell their content directly.
The real game-changer for ElevenLabs is its AI technology, which allows authors and publishers to create audiobooks at a fraction of the cost of traditional studio recordings. With paid plans ranging from $11 to $330 per month, it's a much more budget-friendly option than hiring voice actors and booking studio time.
ElevenLabs has already made waves in the audio content world, powering platforms like Pocket FM and Kuku FM to convert text into engaging audio. This latest move to host indie content on their platform aligns perfectly with CEO Mati Staniszewski's vision to enhance consumer experiences further.
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Comments (44)
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This is huge! Direct AI audiobook creation could really disrupt traditional publishing. Though the Spotify deal is smart, I'm low-key worried about voice actors' jobs 😅 180 million funding though, they're moving fast!
This is wild! ElevenLabs making audiobooks with AI voices is such a game-changer. I’m curious how it stacks up against human narrators—could be a fun way to hear my favorite books in new voices! 😎
This is wild! AI making audiobooks in minutes? I’m curious if it can nail the emotional depth of a human narrator. Gotta try this on my next short story! 😎
This is wild! ElevenLabs letting authors drop AI audiobooks straight to their app? Game-changer for indie writers. But $180M raised? Hope they don’t just chase profits and skimp on voice quality. 🤔
ElevenLabs의 오디오북 기능은 멋지지만, AI 목소리가 때때로 로봇 같아서 아쉬워. 작가들이 직접 출판할 수 있는 건 좋지만, 내레이션이 더 자연스러웠으면 해. 그래도 출판에서 AI의 발전을 위한 한 걸음이야! 📚
Voice AI company ElevenLabs is now opening the doors for authors to publish AI-generated audiobooks directly on its Reader app, a move confirmed to TechCrunch just days after their partnership with Spotify for AI-narrated audiobooks was announced.
Last month, ElevenLabs secured a whopping $180 million in funding, and they've been quietly inviting authors to test their publishing program through the app since last year. Now, as of today, the program is fully open to all authors eager to dive in.

The company's goal is crystal clear: to offer an affordable and accessible way for authors to create audiobooks, which traditionally could break the bank with studio production costs. ElevenLabs sees itself as a competitor to Audible, criticizing the latter for its lower royalty rates. Instead, ElevenLabs promises to pay authors based on user engagement within its own Reader app.
Currently, authors earn about $1.10 when listeners spend 11 minutes or more with an audiobook. During the testing phase, users averaged around 19 minutes per session, which ElevenLabs boasts as one of the best rates in the industry, though these might shift as the program grows.
For now, payouts are available to U.S. authors for English-only titles, but ElevenLabs has its sights set on expanding to all 32 languages it supports for audiobooks. They're also planning to launch a marketplace where authors can sell their content directly.
The real game-changer for ElevenLabs is its AI technology, which allows authors and publishers to create audiobooks at a fraction of the cost of traditional studio recordings. With paid plans ranging from $11 to $330 per month, it's a much more budget-friendly option than hiring voice actors and booking studio time.
ElevenLabs has already made waves in the audio content world, powering platforms like Pocket FM and Kuku FM to convert text into engaging audio. This latest move to host indie content on their platform aligns perfectly with CEO Mati Staniszewski's vision to enhance consumer experiences further.
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Suno Lead Investor: Deleting Posts Won't Plug Copyright Lawsuit Hole
The much-anticipated AI music generation platform Suno is facing a tough copyright battle, and a candid remark from its lead investor may have handed the opposing side exactly the evidence they were hoping for. C.C. Gong, a partner at Menlo Ventures
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Anthropic has maintained an aggressive pace this year, rolling out new features almost every other day. The much-anticipated Claude Opus 4.7 has just been officially released, and interestingly, Anthropic was upfront in the announcement: "This is not
This is huge! Direct AI audiobook creation could really disrupt traditional publishing. Though the Spotify deal is smart, I'm low-key worried about voice actors' jobs 😅 180 million funding though, they're moving fast!
This is wild! ElevenLabs making audiobooks with AI voices is such a game-changer. I’m curious how it stacks up against human narrators—could be a fun way to hear my favorite books in new voices! 😎
This is wild! AI making audiobooks in minutes? I’m curious if it can nail the emotional depth of a human narrator. Gotta try this on my next short story! 😎
This is wild! ElevenLabs letting authors drop AI audiobooks straight to their app? Game-changer for indie writers. But $180M raised? Hope they don’t just chase profits and skimp on voice quality. 🤔
ElevenLabs의 오디오북 기능은 멋지지만, AI 목소리가 때때로 로봇 같아서 아쉬워. 작가들이 직접 출판할 수 있는 건 좋지만, 내레이션이 더 자연스러웠으면 해. 그래도 출판에서 AI의 발전을 위한 한 걸음이야! 📚





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