Kindle Direct Publishing Will Beta Test Virtual Voice-Narrated Audiobooks.

The article focuses on Kindle Direct Publishing's (KDP) new beta test allowing self-published authors to create audiobooks using synthetic speech technology. This initiative enables authors to convert eligible e-books into audiobooks with customizable virtual narration, which will be available for sale on Audible and other platforms within 72 hours. Authors can set prices between $3.99 and $14.99 and earn a 40% royalty, with all synthetic audiobooks clearly labeled. This new option complements Audible's existing Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), which connects rights holders with professional narrators, and aims to increase the availability of audiobooks among KDP titles, currently at 4%.