Audible has announced a huge new AI narration program, offering 100 new voices. For a while, Audible was known as the platform that refused to accept AI-narrated audiobooks. It was always obvious why this was: when they were ready, they would introduce their own AI-generated voices and use those to populate the platform with an expanded range of audiobooks.
ALLi News Editor Dan Holloway
Last year, Audible did indeed roll out AI-generated narration to indie authors in the U.S. And earlier this week, they announced a massive expansion on that offering, with a full-on project designed to make as many audiobooks available as possible.
AI Voices and Translation Expansion
The new offering includes 100 new AI-generated voices for new audiobooks. And shortly entering beta is an AI translation program.
It will have two strands. There will be what Audible is calling an end-to-end process for publishers. These will be (for now) invited to participate, and will (among other things) apparently get tailored advice on which backlist titles would make great audiobooks. And there is an à la carte offering of these services that indies will be able to use.
As you can imagine, the reaction has been mixed. Many voice narrators and creative organizations, such as the Society of Authors, have raised concerns about the impact on human voice narrators.
KDP Print Royalty Rates Change
Also on the subject of self-publishing through Amazon, there has been an announcement this week about changes to royalty rates for print books through KDP.
At present, printed books generate 60 percent royalties. Henceforth, only titles with a ticket price over a certain level will secure that rate, with those below that level attracting 50 percent. Those price cutoffs are: 9.99 USD, 9.99 EUR, 7.99 GBP, 13.99 CAD, 13.99 AUD, 99 SEK, 40 PLN, and 1000 JPY.
On the plus side, beginning June 10, the cost of printing will be reduced, which means you will receive royalties on a larger proportion of the ticket price. Full details here.
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