KDP authors can now choose from a selection of AI-generated narrators to create a machine-generated audiobook.
Catching up with PW's Andrew Albanese
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On Wednesday, Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon’s self-publishing service, announced an “invite only” beta test for a service allowing authors to create audiobooks using virtual voice narration.
Under the new initiative, KDP authors with an eligible e-book on the KDP platform may choose from a selection of AI-generated narrators, then preview and customize a machine-generated audiobook.
“This program makes a lot of sense for a lot of self-published authors who would never be able to afford to create audio editions,” comments Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly executive editor.
The program and the technology will significantly increase the selection of audiobooks available by KDP authors, Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.
“According to an Amazon spokesperson, only four percent of self-published titles with KDP have a companion audiobook available,” he explains.
Every Friday, CCC’s “Velocity of Content” features the editors and reporters of Publishers Weekly for an early look at what news publishers, editors, authors, agents, and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.
