Spotify has announced the launch of a new publishing program aimed at helping authors turn their short-form stories into audiobooks.
The initiative, revealed on Thursday, marks an expansion of the streaming giant’s existing audiobook efforts.
Under the new program, Spotify will handle the production and distribution of selected stories, making them available through major audiobook retailers. Authors whose works are chosen will receive both an advance payment and royalties, the company confirmed.
Spotify is specifically seeking stories within three genres: romance, mystery/thriller, and sci-fi/fantasy. The company is also encouraging cross-genre submissions, such as “romantasy,” dark romance thrillers, mystery sci-fi, and psychological thrillers. However, erotica and children’s content will not be accepted.
Eligible submissions must be novelettes between 10,000 and 20,000 words and written in English. Authors must also hold the audio rights to their works. Selections will be made on a rolling basis, Spotify said.
The move positions Spotify as a stronger competitor against Audible, Amazon’s dominant audiobook platform, which offers its own exclusive short-form titles through Audible Originals.
Spotify first entered the audiobook market in 2021 with its acquisition of digital audiobook distributor Findaway. The company later introduced free audiobook listening for Spotify Premium subscribers in 2023, offering 15 hours of listening per month from a catalog of around 200,000 titles. Users can purchase additional listening time as needed.
As part of its expansion, Spotify has also been integrating AI voice technology from ElevenLabs to narrate audiobooks, further enhancing its growing collection.
