Spotify Launches Audiobook Program for Indie Authors

Spotify Launches New Audiobook Publishing Program for Authors

Expanding upon its current initiatives in the audiobook realm, Spotify revealed on Thursday the introduction of a novel publishing program designed for authors.

This program enables writers to submit short-form narratives for potential conversion into audiobooks.

Production and Distribution Details

Upon selection of a story for audiobook publication, Spotify will manage both the production process and the distribution of the work to prominent audiobook retailers.

Authors will receive both an advance payment and ongoing royalties from Spotify for their contributions.

Genre Focus

Spotify is actively seeking submissions within three specific genres: romance, mystery/thriller, and sci-fi/fantasy.

Inspired by the success of titles such as the fantasy romance “A Court of Thorns & Roses,” which topped the charts as 2024’s most popular audiobook on the platform, Spotify is particularly interested in cross-genre submissions.

Examples of preferred combinations include “romantasy,” “dark romance thriller,” “mystery sci-fi,” and “psychological thriller.”

Submission Guidelines

However, Spotify clarified that submissions of erotica or content intended for children will not be accepted.

Eligible audiobook candidates should be novelettes, ranging in length from approximately 10,000 to 20,000 words, and written in the English language.

Authors must possess the necessary audio rights for any stories submitted for consideration.

The selection of submissions for production will occur on a continuous, rolling basis.

Competitive Landscape

This expansion positions Spotify to more directly challenge Audible, the leading audiobook provider.

Audible offers its subscribers access to Audible Originals and exclusive content, often consisting of shorter books and stories.

Background and Acquisitions

Spotify initially entered the audiobook market through the acquisition of digital audiobook distributor Findaway in 2021.

Findaway provided a range of services within the audiobook industry, encompassing production, distribution, author-voice actor connections, and educational audiobook provision.

Premium Subscriber Benefits

In 2023, Spotify extended free audiobook listening to its Spotify Premium subscribers.

Customers gain access to 15 hours of monthly audiobook listening at no additional cost, with the option to purchase extra hours as needed from a catalog of over 200,000 titles.

Expanding the Catalog

Since its entry into the audiobook market, Spotify has been actively working to broaden its catalog.

This includes incorporating audiobooks narrated using the ElevenLabs AI voice technology.