How to create an AI narrated audiobook with Google Play | Google Play Auto Narrated Audiobook 2022

Introduction

In today's digital age, independent authors have more options than ever to bring their works to life in audiobook format. One of the newest innovations is Google Play's auto-narrated audiobook feature, making it easier than ever to create audiobooks using AI technology. As an author, you can leverage this feature to produce audiobooks without the need for traditional narrators or extensive recordings. This article will guide you through the process of creating your own AI-narrated audiobook on Google Play, outlining the key steps and considerations along the way.

Prerequisites

Before you dive into the process, ensure you have the following:

1. Ebook Availability: Your ebook must be available for sale on the Google Play platform, either directly or through an aggregator like Published Drive.
2. Audiobook ISBN: You will need a unique ISBN to register your audiobook.
3. Audiobook Cover Art: Prepare a visually appealing cover art that meets Google Play's requirements.

Getting Started

Upon learning about the new auto-narration feature, many authors, including myself, were excited at the prospect of creating an audiobook for works that previously lacked this format. For example, my second book in the Project Collusion series, titled "Architects," didn't have an audiobook because the main character's perspective is male, which I felt I couldn't effectively voice myself. With the AI generated narration, I saw an opportunity to finalize an audiobook without the hefty investment usually required.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

The following steps outline how to create your audiobook using Google Play's auto narration feature:

1. Access the Auto Narration Feature: Start by navigating to your Google Play dashboard where your ebook is listed. Look for the option to create an audiobook using the auto narration feature.

2. Choose Your Book: Select your ebook, in this case, "Architects." Google Play will automatically pull the information from your existing catalog.

3. Edit the Audiobook: In the audiobook editor, you can:

   • Add introductory and closing credits.
   • Choose a narrator (select from available AI voices).
   • Adjust narrator speed and edit specific pronunciations if needed. Right-clicking on any mispronounced words allows you to choose the correct pronunciation from various options.

4. Listen to the Audiobook: Go through the AI-narrated version of your audiobook carefully, making any necessary edits where needed before finalizing it.

5. Create Audiobook File: Once satisfied with the narration, click on the “Create Audiobook File” option. Note that processing may take up to two hours.

6. Set Pricing and Description: Determine a fair price for your audiobook and fill in the description while adhering to the platform's pricing structure.

7. Upload Cover for Audiobook: Make sure to upload your completed audiobook cover art.

8. Publish: Once everything looks good, hit the publish button! Be patient as Google Play may take a little time to finalize your audiobook.

Conclusion

The introduction of AI narration by Google Play is an exciting opportunity for authors to expand their audiobook offerings without heavy financial investment or the stress of traditional narration. While there are some limitations, such as redistribution restrictions with other platforms, having your audiobook available on Google Play is a tremendous step forward. This method serves as a valuable proof of concept that can potentially open doors for future audiobook productions.

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Keyword

• Google Play
• AI Narration
• Audiobook Creation
• Self-Publishing
• Project Collusion
• ISBN
• Cover Art
• Auto Narrated Audiobook

FAQ

Q: Do I need to have an audiobook already for my ebook?
A: No, you can create an audiobook from an ebook that does not currently have one available.

Q: Is there a royalty structure when publishing an AI narrated audiobook on Google Play?
A: Yes, Google Play offers a 52% royalty on audiobook sales.

Q: Can I use the audiobooks created with Google Play for other platforms?
A: Currently, most major audiobook aggregators do not accept AI narrated files, and Google Play's requirements specify that audiobooks must be available for sale on their platform.

Q: How long does it take for the audiobook to be processed and published?
A: The creation of the audiobook file can take up to two hours, after which it will be available for purchase.

Q: Can I edit the audiobook after it has been created?
A: Yes, you can revisit the audiobook editor to make changes or edits even after the initial creation.