Spotify is taking another step into the audiobook market with a new initiative aimed at independent authors. The company announced a publishing program that will transform selected short-form stories into audiobooks, handling both production and distribution to major retailers.
Authors whose work is chosen will receive an advance payment along with ongoing royalties. Spotify is specifically looking for submissions in three popular genres: romance, mystery/thriller, and sci-fi/fantasy. The company is also encouraging hybrid genres like psychological thrillers, dark romance thrillers, and sci-fi mysteries, inspired by the success of titles like A Court of Thorns & Roses, which topped Spotify’s audiobook charts in 2024. However, erotica and children’s books will not be accepted.
To qualify, stories must be novelettes between 10,000 and 20,000 words and submitted in English. Authors must also hold the audio rights to their work. Spotify plans to review submissions on an ongoing basis, selecting works for production throughout the year.
With this expansion, Spotify is strengthening its position in the audiobook industry, going head-to-head with Audible. Amazon’s audiobook platform offers exclusive content and shorter works under its Audible Originals brand, making Spotify’s new program a direct competitor.
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Spotify first entered the audiobook space in 2021 when it acquired Findaway, a major distributor with services spanning production, distribution, and author collaborations. By 2023, Spotify Premium subscribers were granted access to 15 free audiobook hours per month from a catalog of 200,000 titles, with the option to purchase additional listening time.
The company has continued growing its audiobook offerings, even experimenting with AI-generated narration through ElevenLabs’ voice technology. With this latest move, Spotify is not only expanding its catalog but also providing new opportunities for independent writers to break into the audiobook industry.
Photo: Spotify
