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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Transworld signs three from debut author Lamb

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Tue, 22/03/2011 - 08:30 Transworld has acquired three novels by debut author Victoria Lamb, all set in the time of Elizabeth I's reign. Publishing director Selina Walker bought world rights in the trilogy from agent Luigi Bonomi, and will... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Winning Game: 2010 Hardcovers: Facts & Figures 2011

What's new in the hardcover fiction bestsellers of 2010? Very little. Almost every author in the fiction top 30 has been on these charts in previous years—most several times. The sole exception is the #1 fiction bestseller, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, with sales of 1.9 million. Stieg... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2011-03-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Epicurious Wins ASME's General Excellence Digital Ellie Award

The American Society of Magazine editors today unveiled the winners of its second-ever Digital Ellies awards. Conde Nast's Epicurious took the award in the General Excellence category as well as top honors in the category of Interactive Tool. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bi Feiyu wins Man Asian Literary Prize

Publication Date: Thu, 17/03/2011 - 17:10 Novelist Bi Feiyu has won the 2010 Man Asian Literary Prize, becoming the prize's third Chinese winner in four years. He was awarded the US$30,000 award at an event in Hong Kong for his novel Three Sisters (Telegram/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).The... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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No breakthrough over author ebook rights in France ahead of fair

Written By: Barbara Casassus Publication Date: Thu, 17/03/2011 - 06:39 French authors have urged culture minister Frédéric Mitterrand to intecede in order to break the deadlock in their negotiations with publishers over electronic rights. For the second year running, the Permanent Council of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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French authors happier with publishers

Written By: Barbara Casassus Publication Date: Wed, 16/03/2011 - 13:30 French authors are increasingly satisfied with their publishers, according to the third annual survey conducted by the Civil Society for Multimedia Authors (Scam). The latest results show that 71% of respondents are... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors hit by new fears over taxation charge

Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Fri, 11/03/2011 - 16:25 Writers’ ability to average out their earnings over a number of years could be abolished, according to new tax system proposals. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jojo Moyes wins RNA Romantic Novel of the Year

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Female authors heralded on International Women's Day

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sceptre spends six figures on debut author

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author proposes WBN alternative

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Makro unveils UK's cheapest ebook reader

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Donaldson, Hutchinson and MacPhail win Royal Mail Awards

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Montaigne title wins Duff Cooper Prize

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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OverDrive Library E-book Reader Now Optimized for IPad

OverDrive Media Console--the iPhone app that lets users check out and read ebooks from their local libraries--has been upgraded to a universal app optimized for... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2011-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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More over-50s own e-readers than youngsters

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Atwood takes stage at TOC and tells publishers to keep feeding their authors

Written By: Philip Jones Publication Date: Wed, 16/02/2011 - 07:06 Author Margaret Atwood used her Tools of Change keynote speech to warn the industry not to eliminate authors, and make sure they are paid enough to "pay for the cheese sandwiches". read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin and Hachette win at PPC awards

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors calls for moratorium on library closures

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barbara Cartland is latest author to be wooed by digital

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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