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Spotify Launches Program to Publish Audiobooks from Independent Authors
In a move aimed at expanding its presence in the audiobook market, Spotify has launched a new publishing program for independent authors. Through this initiative, Spotify will allow authors to submit their short-form stories, which will then be produced and distributed by the company.
According to reports, Spotify is seeking submissions of novelettes between 10,000 to 20,000 words in length, across three genres: romance, mystery or thriller, and sci-fi or fantasy. The company emphasizes that it is open to considering cross-genre works that blend elements from multiple categories.
To be eligible for consideration, authors must hold their own audio rights for the submitted stories. Spotify notes that submissions will be selected on a rolling basis, with no specific timeline given for when new titles will become available.
This move marks an expansion of Spotify’s existing efforts in the audiobook space, which have seen significant growth since the company acquired digital audiobook distributor Findaway in 2021. Since then, Spotify has also rolled out free audiobook listening to its Premium subscribers and added audiobooks narrated by ElevenLabs’ AI voice technology to its catalog.
The program is likely aimed at directly competing with Audible, which offers exclusive titles, including short stories and original content, to its subscribers.
