Summary

The website content outlines a method for creating AI-narrated audiobooks for free using Google Play Books Partner Center and distributing them on platforms like Spotify and YouTube for additional revenue.

Abstract

The article details a process for authors and publishers to generate income by creating AI-narrated audiobooks without upfront costs. It explains how to use Google Play Books Partner Center to produce these audiobooks, which can then be sold in the Google Play store. The author emphasizes the ease of expanding the audiobook's reach by distributing it on Spotify through Findaway Voices and uploading it to YouTube with a static image background. The process is presented as a low-cost, accessible opportunity for writers to repurpose their content and potentially increase sales and visibility.

Opinions

The author views AI audiobook creation as an "easy income stream for publishers" and a straightforward way to add another revenue stream.
They express enthusiasm about the potential of AI tools like Jasper AI for writing ebooks and the free audiobook creation beta offered by Google.
The author suggests that the method is not widely utilized despite being replicable by many, indicating a potential untapped opportunity.
They highlight the significance of Google's and Spotify's acceptance of AI-generated audiobooks as a notable shift in the industry.
The author provides a personal example of how they have successfully used this method to create and distribute AI-generated audiobooks, implying its effectiveness.
They encourage writers on the platform to compile their stories into ebooks and experiment with this opportunity, indicating a sense of urgency due to the potential temporary nature of Google's free audiobook creation offer.

How to Create AI Audiobooks (for Free) and Make Money on Google Play, Spotify & YouTube

Another easy income stream for publishers.

For the past three years, I’ve been experimenting with publishing.

I don’t consider myself an “author.”

Rather, my goal is to build a business publishing books under pen names in all formats on multiple sites.

Kristen’s KDP Project

A collection of KDP case studies, niche research, and more.

medium.com

I started out writing short, nonfiction ebooks with the help of this AI tool and publishing them on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Then, I ventured into physical activity books and found some moderate success with that.

I Made $78,345 With These Easy-to-Create “Books”

An income stream almost anyone can replicate (but few will.)

medium.com

Most recently, I’ve been dabbling with AI-generated audiobooks.

I know from past experience as a producer that the traditional way to create an audiobook is to hire a human narrator through ACX.

Amazon/Audible has historically been unwilling to accept AI-generated audiobooks.

Edit: This has now changed.

AI Audiobooks Have Come to Amazon and Audible

A first look at the new KDP “AI audiobook” studio.

medium.com

However, Google Play Books and, more recently, Spotify have decided to jump on the artificial intelligence bandwagon and accept AI audiobooks with open arms.

If you’re already publishing books, articles, or stories, this is an easy way to add an additional revenue stream to your writing or publishing business.

How to Create an AI-Narrated Audiobook for Free with Google Play

Currently, Google is allowing people to create auto-narrated versions of their ebooks for free.

To get started, head over to the Google Play Books Partner Center and create an account (it’s free.)

Next, you need to upload your ebook and make it available for sale on Google Play.

To do that, enter your book info and upload your cover image/ebook files.

If you don’t have a cover, I recommend using Canva to create one as a placeholder.

If you are uploading a book for the first time, you will need to wait a few days for Google to verify your new publisher account.

It took about a week for my account to be approved.

Once your ebook is live in the Google Play library, you can come back and create an AI-narrated audiobook version.

Once you are in the Google Play audiobook editor, you’ll be able to choose the “narrator” voice you prefer, add pauses, adjust the speed, and fix pronunciation (if necessary.)

Once you are happy with the way everything sounds, click publish, and Google will generate your audiobook and list it for sale in the Google Play store, where it will be eligible to start earning royalties right away.

Screenshot of Google Play Audiobook store.

Download Your Audiobook

Once your audiobook has been generated, you can download it and distribute it on more platforms, like Spotify and YouTube.

Upload to Spotify (via Findaway)

In December 2023, the audiobook distribution platform Findaway Voices (recently acquired by Spotify) announced,

Authors can now distribute Google Play Books’ auto-narrated audiobooks through select retail partners.

You can find the full announcement here.

To do this, you’ll need to set up an account with Findaway Voices and upload the auto-generated audio files from Google Play for distribution to Spotify and other retail partners.

Your royalties are tracked and paid out by Findaway.

Upload to YouTube

You can also upload your AI-generated audiobooks to YouTube using a static image as the “video background.”

This is not my YouTube channel, but it’s a perfect example of how you can turn your AI-generated audiobooks into an additional income stream.

This channel was created on October 29, 2023 (it’s 3 months old) and already has 33,000 subscribers.

They publish short AI-generated audiobooks on self-improvement/mindset topics. (Notice the video above is only 50 minutes.)

The “video” has a static background that could easily be created using Canva, so there’s no complicated editing required.

And they’re promoting links to buy the ebook in the description of each video.

I’m doing something similar using Jasper AI to create my ebooks, uploading to Google Play, and then repurposing the audiobook files to YouTube.

Even though my brand new audiobook channel isn’t monetized yet, it’s sending traffic back to the Google Play store, resulting in ebook sales.

This is ridiculously easy and costs almost nothing.

If You’re Already Writing on This Platform…

Why not compile some of your stories into a short ebook and try it out?

Just something to consider.

I realize this idea isn’t for everyone, but it’s something I’m really excited about.

I don’t know how long Google will be offering the free audiobook creation beta, so don’t sleep on this one if it piques your interest :)

This article contains my referral links for Jasper AI, which, along with Helium 10, are my absolute favorite tools for publishers.