Actors union SAG-AFTRA says its members are permitted to continue working on audiobooks, in spite of the Hollywood strike, which went into effect today. The union writes in a document shared with publishers, “Many of our members can and should keep working under various other contracts” with a list of approved projects, including audiobooks. The union is striking against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers after negotiations collapsed over AI and streaming issues. They join the WGA, which has been on strike since May.
Audio
Storytel to Pilot AI Audiobook Narration; Aims for Organic Growth
Swedish audiobook company Storytel has partnered with AI speech software provider ElevenLabs to produce AI-narrated audiobooks and develop AI voices “specifically tailored to Storytel’s core markets.” In a release, Storytel said their goal is to be a leader in AI narration “as a complement to organic voices.” They are also investing in ElevenLabs’ ongoing financing round, though the amount has not been disclosed. “We are proud and excited to have reached this multi-year agreement with ElevenLabs. As AI voices have become more sophisticated and versatile, Storytel aspires to offer our customers more choice by deploying this best-in-class solution to tailor […]
Next Big Idea Tries Original Short Audiobooks
Next Big Idea Club is “pivoting” with the launch of Next Big Idea Originals, an imprint offering short, nonfiction audiobooks. Founder and ceo Rufus Griscom calls it, “A critical inflection point in the expansion of our business model.” He says the new audios, “Mark a key moment in our evolution into a next generation publisher. We intend to build a two-sided marketplace between authors and readers/learners, with an emphasis on shorter formats and audio delivery.” The first audio shorts, averaging 60 minutes in length, are IMMORTALITY: A Users Guide by Steven Johnson, and a forthcoming work by Nir Eyal, author […]
Findaway Voices Eliminates Spotify Distribution Fee
As of May, Findaway Voices has eliminated its 20 percent distribution fee on royalties for audiobooks distributed through Spotify. On other platforms, Findaway royalties remain split 80/20 between author and distributor. They wrote in the announcement, “When your audiobook is sold on Spotify now you receive all of the 50% of the list price you set.” The change will take effect in royalty statements for April, which go out later this month. “We want to pass on cost-saving efficiencies that are realized through Findaway Voices’ integration with Spotify,” they wrote. “We are still committed to helping authors reach a WIDE […]
Listening for Growth at LBF
The second day of a book fair always feels a little more familiar and easy to navigate. You think you know how to navigate the construction to avoid the most active cranes and trucks, and it turns out you can use most any entrance and now no one cares. You figure out how to avoid the 40-person line to get scanned for the sprawling rights center by cutting into the cafe on the left and swinging around. Lunch is still nothing but a selection of “sad sandwiches,” though you’ve found a slightly quieter bit of floor space in which to […]
Audible Tests Audiobook Ads
Since October, Audible has been “conducting limited testing” on including ads in select audiobooks, podcasts, and original content for non-members. Listeners who don’t subscribe to Audible have “ad-supported access to a limited set of Audible titles” and will hear a total of eight ads in a 24-hour period. The ad-supported titles are meant to be discovered organically: If a consumer searches for an audiobook and comes upon the Audible listing, it may be available for free. A company spokesperson said that the goal of the program is to attract listeners and grow the audience for audiobooks. They could not offer […]