Apple Books Digital Narration is a new feature that enables authors to convert their eBooks into audiobooks using AI-generated voices. This service, designed for self-published authors, is available through PublishDrive as a preferred partner of Apple and offers a cost-effective alternative to hiring professional narrators.
Key Benefits:
- Accessibility and Affordability: Free for authors distributing eBooks via Apple Books, making audiobook production more accessible.
- Natural Sounding Voices: Utilizes AI voices based on human narrators for a natural listening experience.
- Multiple Formats: Allows authors to offer their books in various formats without significant investment.
Steps to Enable Digital Narration via PublishDrive:
- Sign Up: Create an account on PublishDrive.
- Upload eBook: Provide the eBook files and metadata.
- Select Apple Books: Choose Apple Books in the distribution options.
- Enable Narration: Activate the digital narration feature from the list of stores.
- Wait for Processing: Apple takes approximately one to two months to create the audiobook.
In case a book is already in distribution via PublishDrive, simply go to the imprint settings, and enable Apple AI Narration from this list of stores.
Technical Requirements:
To ensure your eBook is eligible for digital narration, it must meet the following technical requirements:
- File Format: The eBook should be in ePub format, adhering to Apple’s technical specifications.
- Content Quality: Ensure that the text is well-formatted and free of errors, as the AI narration relies on clear and accurate text.
- Metadata: Provide complete and accurate metadata, including title, author, and genre, which helps in categorizing and processing the book correctly.
- Cover Image: A high-quality cover image should be included, following Apple’s guidelines for cover art.
- Voice Selection: Although Apple offers numerous options to match the voice with the style of the book, PublishDrive customers can choose between the voices of Madison (US English) and Amberly (British English).
❗❗ As of August 2024, Apple has introduced a new British voice in their Digital Narration program, and PublishDrive customers can use this voice for their AI-narrated books on Apple. The voice selection is determined by the language of the original eBook uploaded to PublishDrive.
- If the book’s language is “English,” the default US English voice (Madison) will be used.
- If the book’s language is “English (United Kingdom),” the new British voice (Amberly) will be used.
Accepted Genres:
Apple Books Digital Narration supports a variety of genres, including:
- Fiction: Novels, short stories, and genre fiction such as romance, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery.
- Non-Fiction: Biographies, memoirs, self-help, business, and educational books.
- Children’s Books: Including middle-grade and young adult fiction.
- Poetry: Collections of poems and other poetic works.
- Academic and Reference: Textbooks, guides, and reference materials.
Rights management:
Authors retain the rights to their eBooks, but the rights to the AI-narrated audiobooks belong to Apple. Apple has the right to distribute these audiobooks for an additional six months after the eBook is withdrawn from their platform.
Apple Books Digital Narration offers a seamless, cost-effective way for authors to expand their audience through audiobooks. By leveraging AI technology, authors can produce high-quality audiobooks quickly and efficiently, reaching new listeners without the traditional costs associated with audiobook production.