Google Play Books has partnered with digital book company Bookwire on AI-created audiobooks in English, Spanish, German, French and Brazilian Portuguese books. Bookwire’s audiobook service WAY (We Audiobook You) allows Google Play Books customers to “create auto-narrated audiobooks within the framework of the WAY service and, as usual, takes over the complete production and quality assurance of these audiobooks.” They write in a release that the service is not intended to replace human narrators, “but as an addition to Bookwire’s audiobook production offering.” Solveij Krause, team lead business development audio at Bookwire, said, “We are happy that in cooperation with […]
Audio
Storytel Q4 Sales Meet Forecast
Swedish audio streamer and publisher Storytel released a brief fourth quarter earnings update, with sales of SEK742 million ($69.2 million), up 22 percent and in line with expectations of SEK 735-745 million. For the year, sales were up 31 percent excluding Russia, where the company stopped doing business in September. In the Nordic segment, sales were SEK498 million, up SEK39 million from 2021. Within non-Nordic countries, sales were SEK 244 million, up SEK98 million. Paid subscribers continue to grow in both segments: up 84,000 in the Nordics and 167,000 subscribers in non-Nordics. CEO Johannes Larcher said, “Our performance in Q4 […]
Audio: Apple Books Adds Digital Narration; RBmedia Acquisitions
Apple Books has launched digital narration for English language audiobooks, beginning with select fiction and romance titles, focused on self-published authors and small publishers. The new initiative produces AI-narrated audiobooks out of ebooks in the Apple Books library. Authors/publishers retain audio rights and can still produce and distribute other audio versions of the book as well. Prospective titles must be nominated and will be evaluated based on “file quality, content compatibility (no complex formatting elements, and limited foreign language words and phrases), and editorial review.” If titles are not immediately approved, they will remain eligible for future approval. Release date, […]
RBmedia to Publish Lee & Low Audiobooks
RBmedia has partnered with Lee & Low Books to publish audiobooks for the children’s publisher. In a four-year agreement, books for all ages, including Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis and Traci Sorell and Strong As Fire, Fierce as Flame by Supriya Kelkar, will be distributed globally by RBmedia brands Recorded Books and Tantor, and available on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, and more.
Princeton University Press Launches Direct Digital Sales
Princeton University Press has partnered with Glassboxx for direct-to-consumer sales of ebooks and audiobooks on its website and via the PUP app. Previously, only print editions were available to consumers directly. The press is also working to publish its backlist titles in audio. “We are dedicated to putting readers first in everything we do, a mission rooted in inclusivity, by giving them the opportunity to read in the format of their choice,” PUP director of marketing and sales Katie Hope said in a release. “As we looked to serve our readers by adding e-books and audiobooks to our existing print […]
Storytel Gets Breathing Room With Capital Raise that Includes Otava As New Shareholder
Storytel has given itself a significant financial lift with a new share issue that raises approximately 400 million SEK (about $37 million) from its two largest shareholders — EQT Public Investment and Roxette Photo — while also bringing in Finnish media company and book publisher Otava as an investor. (In a separate announcement, Otava says they bought a 3.5 percent stake in the streaming media company, for about 125 million SEK.) Shares were priced at SEK 45.50. The board “believes [it] will strengthen the liquidity of the shares and be beneficial to the Company” and help “ensure a strong balance […]