When you browse Apple Books for your next audiobook, you might come across a few titles with a note that says they were "Narrated by Apple Books." That's because the tech giant has released a catalogue of titles that make use of its new AI-powered digital narration service. The company said the service uses the advanced speech synthesis technology it developed "to produce high-quality audiobooks from an ebook file." According to The Guardian, Apple approached independent publishers who may be interested in teaming up for the project's launch in recent months. Authors were reportedly told that the company behind the technology would shoulder the costs of turning their books into audiobooks and that they would be earning royalties. Apple, as secretive as ever, apparently remained unnamed at that point of the process and required partners to sign non-disclosure agreements. In its announcement, Apple touched on how commissioning voice actors and producing audiobooks could cost writers and publishers thousands of dollars. For independent authors, especially those just starting out, it's not always possible to spare that much money. But thing is, the audiobook market has grown tremendously in recent years — it earned $1.6 billion in sales in 2021, and experts reportedly believe the market could be worth over $35 billion by 2030. Authors wouldn't only be missing out on potential income by not creating audiobook versions of their titles, but also the opportunity to build their... Continue reading at 'Engadget'
[ Engadget | 2023-01-05 13:10:59 UTC ]
A new unabridged audiobook of James Hilton’s Goodbye Mr Chips (Hodder & Stoughton) will be narrated by actor Robert Bathurst. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-05 18:00:24 UTC ]
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Audiobook giant RBmedia has acquired leading German publisher ABOD and is making it's first foray into the German-language market under the new brand RBmedia Verlag. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-05 13:45:12 UTC ]
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The downturn in print book sales in Russia may have been as deep as between 50 and 70 percent, according to editor Svetlana Zorin. The post Year-End Russian Book Publishing Industry Assessment: ‘Seriously Difficult’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-01-04 14:35:09 UTC ]
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Regardless of how 2021 went for you, 2022 is another chance for all of us to make the new year better than those that came before it. We set New Year’s resolutions with the best of intentions, but it’s no wonder that so many people fail after just a few weeks – old habits die hard. Just as it’s... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2022-01-01 14:34:42 UTC ]
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Print book sales finished the last week before Christmas with a rush as sales increased 15.4% over the comparable week in 2020 at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. The gain put an end to a two-week streak of declining sales. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-12-30 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Dolly Parton will headline the audiobook cast of her debut novel Run Rose Run (Century) along with singer and songwriter Kelsea Ballerini in the role of protégée to Parton’s character. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-12-21 02:34:41 UTC ]
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Clemency Burton-Hill’s audiobook of Another Year of Wonder (Headline Home) will be narrated by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne, with an introduction from Elizabeth Day. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-12-20 14:20:56 UTC ]
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Year-to-date performance in the American book market is looking likely to converge with that of 202 at 8 percent, NPD Books reports. The post NPD Projects US Print Book Unit Sales 17 Percent Above 2019 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-12-14 02:53:50 UTC ]
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It was a chance to finally get around to Tolstoy or Proust, but the charts tell a different story. Which books did we actually turn to in the lockdowns? • Let us know in the comments what you were reading Back in spring 2020, when it became clear that coronavirus wasn’t going away, book lovers... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2021-12-11 09:00:06 UTC ]
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Alongside Richard Osman and JK Rowling, figures show huge successes for relative unknowns Ellery Adams and Brenda ChapmanThe UK’s library users are widely seen as a traditional bunch when it comes to choosing their next read, but while Richard Osman might have topped the list of the year’s... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2021-12-08 16:34:37 UTC ]
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Each month, for your literary listening pleasure, our friends at AudioFile Magazine bring us the cream of the audiobook crop. Now, at the year draws to a close, they’ve rounded up the very best audiobooks of 2021. Happy listening and happy holidays! * FICTION Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-12-06 09:53:47 UTC ]
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Streaming audiobook brand sent invites to all major media holdings companies to field interest in managing its ads. Continue reading at Advertising Age
[ Advertising Age | 2021-12-02 14:44:34 UTC ]
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Today's dive into audiobook narrators features an Asian American former opera singer who has narrated over 250 books. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-11-30 11:30:00 UTC ]
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Nielsen's 'Understanding the UK Audiobook Consumer' sees the format's growth moving steadily forward in the British market. The post Nielsen’s Look at Audiobooks in the United Kingdom: ‘Curiosity, Multitasking’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-11-30 09:15:28 UTC ]
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The United Kingdom's audiobook sales show an eye-catching 71-percent jump, January to June this year over the same period in 2019. The post The UK’s Publishers Association Charts a ‘Steep Rise’ in Audiobook Sales appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-11-28 17:52:33 UTC ]
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Audiobook performances by talented narrators is wonderful, but an audiobook memoir read by its author gives such a personal touch. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-11-23 11:30:00 UTC ]
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Storytel, the international audiobook streaming company, is buying Audiobooks.com from KKR, owner of RBMedia, for an undisclosed amount. This marks the fast-growing company's entry into the English-language audiobook market. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-11-14 05:00:00 UTC ]
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I used to imagine an Apple event where its c.e.o. Tim Cook would unveil a standalone audiobook app with exclusive audio-only titles available on subscription. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-12 06:30:02 UTC ]
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Looking to accelerate its expansion into the audiobook market, the Swedish audio streaming subscription service giant Spotify has agreed to acquire Ohio-based digital audiobook distributor Findaway for an undisclosed price. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-11-12 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Spotify could soon be home to a lot more audiobooks. The streaming service has acquired audiobook platform Findaway, the companies announced. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition suggests Spotify is looking to build out its own library of audiobook titles.Findaway is an... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2021-11-11 21:00:04 UTC ]
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