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In an expansion of its existing audiobook efforts, Spotify announced the launch of a new publishing program for authors that allows them to submit short-form stories they’d like to see turned into audiobooks.
Spotify’s New Publishing Program
Spotify is specifically looking for stories across three genres: romance, mystery or thriller, and sci-fi or fantasy. Authors should submit novelettes of approximately 10,000 to 20,000 words in English, with Spotify handling production and distribution for selected works. The company will pay authors an advance and royalties for their audiobooks.
Competition with Audible
The expansion will allow Spotify to compete more directly with audiobook giant Audible, which offers subscribers access to Audible Originals and exclusives, typically shorter books and stories. Spotify first entered the audiobook market with the acquisition of digital audiobook distributor Findaway in 2021, later rolling out free audiobook listening to Premium subscribers in 2023. The company continues to expand its catalog, including through the addition of audiobooks narrated by ElevenLabs’ AI voice technology.
