AI Audiobooks Versus Human Narration: Listeners Have Spoken | Self-Publishing News (July 16, 2026)
About this episode
The episode discusses a study comparing listener preferences for AI versus human narration in audiobooks and highlights new tools for authors.
Spoken commissioned Edison Research at SSRS to compare how fiction audiobook listeners responded to AI and human narration. The results raise some major questions about what listeners value and where audiobook production may be heading. Kindlepreneur also uncovered a growing issue with Amazon categories, while Miblart, GetCovers, Book Brush, ProWritingAid, and more shared new tools and opportunities for authors. Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link) Spoken - https://Spoken.press Edison Research at SSRS - https://www.spoken.press/edisonsurvey Variety: Surprise: Many People Prefer AI Audiobooks, New Study Finds - https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/spoken-ai-audiobooks-preferencenew-edison-research-study-1236810295/ What Audiobook Listeners Want Now: A Spoken Roundtable - https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/spoken-ai-audiobooks-preferencenew-edison-research-study-1236810295/ Kindlepreneur - https://kindlepreneur.com Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/Rocket (affiliate link) Novel Report - https://DaleLinks.com/NovelReport (affiliate link) Miblart - https://DaleLinks.com/Miblart (affiliate link) Use coupon code DALE10 to get 10% off your next…
People in this episode
Host: Dale L. Roberts
Topics covered
- AI audiobooks
- human narration
- audiobook production
- listener preferences
- Amazon categories
- tools for authors
Keywords
- AI audiobooks
- human narration
- Edison Research
- Kindlepreneur
- Miblart
- GetCovers
- audiobook production
- listener preferences
Sponsors
Miblart, GetCovers
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Spoken, Edison Research, SSRS, Kindlepreneur, Miblart, GetCovers, Book Brush, ProWritingAid, Dibbly Create
Books & works: Variety, What Audiobook Listeners Want Now: A Spoken Roundtable
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