ElevenLabs, the innovative New York-based AI audio company, is disrupting the audiobook industry with the launch of its free ElevenReader Publishing platform. This announcement comes hot on the heels of their recent partnership with Spotify for audiobook distribution, further solidifying their commitment to accessible and efficient audiobook creation. The new platform, available via the ElevenReader app for Android and iOS, offers authors a compelling alternative to established platforms like Amazon Audible, promising zero costs and global reach.
Leveraging ElevenLabs’ advanced AI audio models, the platform offers authors over a thousand realistic, versatile, and contextually-aware synthetic voices for narration. The speed of audiobook creation is significantly enhanced, with completed audiobooks generated in minutes compared to the traditional process involving human narrators. This rapid turnaround time combined with free access aims to empower independent authors and publishers to bring their stories to a wider audience.
Listing of audiobooks on the ElevenReader mobile app.
Authors can choose from a vast library of AI voices, and listeners can also select their preferred narration voice within the ElevenReader app. For authors requiring finer control over narration pace, multi-speaker implementation, and voice customization, ElevenLabs offers its paid Studio suite.
Revolutionizing Audiobook Production
Currently, audiobook generation is limited to English, but ElevenLabs plans to expand support to 31 additional languages. Upon publication, audiobooks are distributed globally through the ElevenReader platform.
Mirroring Amazon’s Audible royalty model, ElevenReader offers a royalty of $1.10 per listener who engages with an audiobook for at least 11 minutes. However, this royalty program is presently restricted to the US market, with international royalty structures still under development.
Audiobooks are more popular than ever before. Yet the costs of producing audiobooks means many stories go unheard.
Now any independent author or publisher can upload their book’s text, preview with thousands of voices, and share for distribution on the ElevenReader app — all at… pic.twitter.com/rBO4Dp30VD
— ElevenReader (@elevenreader) February 25, 2025
ElevenReader Publishing provides authors with detailed engagement metrics and analytics, similar to platforms like Spotify and YouTube. Notably, ElevenLabs avoids exclusivity clauses, contrasting with Amazon Audible’s practices, ensuring authors retain full ownership of their work.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
While ElevenReader presents a compelling opportunity, authors should be aware that other audiobook platforms, such as Audible, Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble, may not accept AI-narrated audiobooks.
Addressing the Impact on Voice Actors
The introduction of AI-narrated audiobooks raises concerns about the potential displacement of human voice actors and other professionals in the audiobook production industry. ElevenLabs states that it paid over one million dollars in compensation to voice actors last year.
A Free and Accessible Future for Audiobooks?
ElevenReader Publishing and the ElevenReader app are currently free for authors and listeners, respectively. This disruptive model promises to democratize audiobook creation and distribution, potentially ushering in a new era of accessibility for both authors and audiences.
