Why AI audiobook narrators could win over some authors and readers, despite the vocal bumps

Apple and Google’s AI turn in a booming market may sound less than human and raise the ire of voiceover actors, but it has cost benefits For the first few seconds, the narrator of Kristen Ethridge’s new romance audiobook, Shelter from the Storm, sounds like a human being. The voice is light and carefully enunciated, with the slow pacing of any audiobook narrator, as it begins: “There’s a storm coming, and her name is Hope.”Then, something about the pacing of the words grates on the ear. It’s a little too regular, even robotic. “I know that sounds a little crazy,” the breathy voice continues, grinding out the words. “That something so destructive could be labeled with such a peaceful name.” Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-01-05 06:41:18 UTC ]
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‘It’s quite galling’: children’s authors frustrated by rise in celebrity-penned titles

Keira Knightley is latest star to publish a children’s book, but some say trend pushes aside genuine writers and makes it harder to find great children’s fiction“A modern classic by Keira Knightley” reads the provisional cover of the actor’s debut children’s book, I Love You Just the Same. Set... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-10-20 13:00:48 UTC ]
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Bye, Kindle: 3 companies whose e-readers have actual buttons

These Amazon Kindle alternatives have terrifically tactile physical buttons for turning pages. Boy, is my wife mad at Amazon for killing off the wonderful Oasis line of premium Kindle e-book readers. I, too, am upset—she’s due for an upgrade and the holidays are right around the corner. Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2024-10-20 04:30:00 UTC ]
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American author Joy Williams: ‘The comfy story has got to change’

The novelist and short story writer on her new book about Azrael, the angel of death, her encounters with Raymond Carver and Richard Yates, and why fiction should be uncannyJoy Williams, 80, has written five novels and four story collections and is the recipient of numerous awards. Her most... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-10-19 17:00:20 UTC ]
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Frankfurt: Authors Scholastica Moraa and Emmanuel Ngwainmbi Advocate for Authentic African Voices

In a Frankfurt Book Fair discussion moderated by publisher Mercy Kirui, two authors are 'putting Africa at the center' of their work. The post Frankfurt: Authors Scholastica Moraa and Emmanuel Ngwainmbi Advocate for Authentic African Voices appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-10-18 08:42:35 UTC ]
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Guadalajara International Book Fair 2024: A Surge in Spanish-Language Audiobooks

Production has ramped up significantly over the past year, according to Dosdoce founder Javier Celaya, who will keynote the FIL’s 2024 audiobooks forum. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-10-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Interview With Colin Kaepernick, Activist and Co-Author of ‘We Are Free, You & Me’

Business memoirs are at hand as he navigates a new role as the founder of a startup to “democratize storytelling.” Meanwhile he has co-written “We Are Free, You & Me,” an illustrated book for kids. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2024-10-17 09:00:07 UTC ]
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Wiley Creates AI Partnership Program

Under Wiley AI Partnerships, the company will work with start-ups and scale-ups to develop AI tools that will help researchers use AI responsibly and effectively in their work. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-10-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's new Kindle Paperwhite reader has a larger screen and faster page turns

Amazon's latest version of its popular Kindle Paperwhite has arrived, marking the sixth iteration if you're keeping score at home. The new model is the thinnest Paperwhite yet and has a refreshed 7-inch screen that's a touch larger than the previous model's 6.8-inch display. It also has the... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2024-10-16 13:00:50 UTC ]
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8 truly useful AI tools that make your life and work easier

Artificial intelligence is the holy grail of the information age and the hot topic du jour. The hype was triggered by the revolutionary chatbot ChatGPT, which has turned our concept of non-human intelligence on its head. With a few key words, the AI creates seemingly authentic essays... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2024-10-15 10:30:00 UTC ]
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Spotify Expands Audiobooks to France and the Benelux Countries

Spotify has expanded its audiobook service to four new non-English speaking markets: France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The localized catalog includes 15,000 titles in French and 15,000 in Dutch and Flemish. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-10-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Klett-Cotta’s Martina Hefter Wins the German Book Prize

The Leipzig-based Martina Hefter's 'Hey, Good Morning, How Are You?' has won the €25,000 20th German Book Prize. The post Klett-Cotta’s Martina Hefter Wins the German Book Prize appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-10-15 03:17:35 UTC ]
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Han Kang’s Nobel win is testament to importance of small press publishing

Literature in translation has long been reliant on indie presses to bring work such as the South Korean author’s to wider audiences• South Korea’s Han Kang wins 2024 Nobel prize in literature – as it happenedThe announcement of the South Korean writer Han Kang as the 2024 Nobel Literature... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-10-10 17:04:48 UTC ]
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Han Kang Wins 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature

The South Korean author, best known for her novel 'The Vegetarian,' has won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-10-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Lit Hub Asks: 5 Authors, 7 Questions, No Wrong Answers

The Lit Hub Author Questionnaire is a monthly interview featuring seven questions for five authors with new books. This month we talk to: Charles Bock (I Will Do Better: A Father’s Memoir of Heartbreak, Parenting, and Love) Kay Chronister (The Bog Wife) Mike Fu (Masquerade) Kate Greathead (The... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-10-08 08:56:09 UTC ]
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Andaleeb Wajid Wins Bengaluru’s 2024 Neev Book Award

The winner of India's 2024 Neev Book Award has seen an Amazon Original series developed from her book, 'Asmara's Summer.' The post Andaleeb Wajid Wins Bengaluru’s 2024 Neev Book Award appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-10-08 02:16:33 UTC ]
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The New Yorker Union Members Unanimously Authorize Strike Ahead of Festival

More than three years ago, The New Yorker's unionized employees authorized and threatened a strike during a contentious first contract negotiation that culminated with scores of protestors descending on the Greenwich Village home of Conde Nast executive Anna Wintour days... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2024-10-04 11:54:00 UTC ]
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Engadget Podcast: Why the Windows 11 2024 update is all about Copilot AI

This week, Microsoft started rolling out the Windows 11 2024 update, but it quickly became clear that the company was far more eager to unveil new features for its Copilot AI and Copilot+ AI PCs. In this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn chat about Microsoft's current AI priorities, and what it... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2024-10-04 11:30:26 UTC ]
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De Los Reads: Paola Santos' 'How to Eat a Mango' and other Latino authors we're reading in October

Paola Santos' picture book encourages young readers to appreciate nature's gifts and the love that comes with them. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2024-10-03 19:53:20 UTC ]
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Majority of UK children’s books with Black main characters written by white authors, study finds

Report finds that books with main characters from minority ethnicities or who are disabled or neurodivergent are written by those who do not share the protagonist’s identityMore than half of children’s books with marginalised main characters are by writers and illustrators who do not share their... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-10-03 17:10:48 UTC ]
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Penguin Young Readers Expands 'Bluey' After License Renewal

Penguin has renewed its master publishing deal with BBC Studios for the hit preschool animated series Bluey. Bluey books have sold more than 20 million copies in 22 languages worldwide, including 8.5 million in the U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-10-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
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