Best Text to Speech Platforms for Self-Publishing Audiobooks

Summary

• Explore the benefits of self-publishing audiobooks, from expanding your audience to saving on production costs.
• Learn how text to speech (TTS) platforms simplify AI audiobook creation with realistic, human-like narration.
• Discover the top TTS platforms, starting from ElevenLabs, and how they cater to the needs of self-publishing authors.
• Find practical advice on choosing the right text to speech tool for your audiobook.

Overview

The audiobook market is thriving, offering authors new ways to reach literary enthusiasts who prefer to listen rather than read. For self-publishers, narrating an audiobook has traditionally been a costly and time-intensive process involving professional voice actors, sound engineers, and studio sessions. These hurdles have often deterred independent authors from tapping into their full publishing potential.

Fortunately, AI-driven text to speech (TTS) platforms are changing the game. With advanced tools that produce lifelike, engaging narrations, authors can now create high-quality audiobooks quickly, affordably, and on their own terms. Whether narrating a personal memoir or publishing a thrilling sci-fi novel, TTS technology makes the audiobook production process more accessible and efficient than ever before.

Why self-publish an audiobook?

Self-publishing an audiobook isn’t just about keeping up with trends—it’s a strategic way to tap into a new audience while maintaining creative control and maximizing your potential earnings. 

While traditional publishing often involves giving up your rights to publishing companies or agreeing to profit-sharing models, self-publishing allows you to decide how your audiobook is marketed, distributed, and priced.

That said, let’s explore some of the benefits of self-publishing an audiobook in more detail:

Full ownership of your creative work

When you self-publish an audiobook, you hold the reins. Unlike traditional publishing, which often requires sacrificing rights or following someone else’s creative vision, self-publishing gives you the freedom to bring your book to life precisely as you envisioned. 

Higher royalty rates and earning potential

One of the most significant advantages of self-publishing is the potential for greater financial rewards. Traditional publishing usually involves splitting royalties with multiple parties, but self-publishing platforms offer higher payout percentages. When you’re in control, a larger share of each sale goes directly to you, allowing you to profit directly from your hard work. 

Reaching a growing audience of audiobook listeners

The audiobook industry is booming, with more people listening to books on-the-go (or while completing daily tasks). Self-publishing opens the door to this expanding audience, allowing you to connect with readers who prefer audio formats or may have never encountered your work in print. Self-publishing allows you to reach a wider audience without sacrificing your authenticity in the process. 

Flexibility in production and pricing

Self-publishing doesn’t box you into a universal standard. You decide whether your book needs a professional narrator, a specific voice actor, or even advanced text to speech technology. You’re also free to experiment with pricing strategies, promotional discounts, or exclusive offers to see what resonates best with your audience.

Accessibility through modern self-publishing platforms

Gone are the days when creating an audiobook required industry connections and expensive studios. Platforms like ACX and Findaway Voices make turning your manuscript into an audiobook simple, offering tools for everything from narrator selection to distribution. These platforms put the power in your hands, making self-publishing an audiobook more achievable.

Building your personal brand as an author

When you self-publish, you’re not just releasing an audiobook—you’re building a personal brand. Your production, design, and marketing choices reflect your identity as an author. This level of involvement strengthens your connection with your audience and reinforces your image as an independent creator with a unique voice.

Lower barriers to entry 

Traditional publishing can involve several barriers to entry, while self-publishing allows you to take ownership of your creative decisions. You don’t need anyone’s approval to bring your audiobook to market. With the right tools and resources, you can take charge of the process and get your audiobook on the market on your terms.

With all these benefits, it’s no wonder why a growing number of authors are choosing to self-publish their audiobooks. Moreover, with advanced AI technology offering versatile and budget-friendly narration options, no audiobook is too challenging to publish. 

How TTS platforms can help self-publish an audiobook

Self-publishing an audiobook is rewarding, but it also comes with many moving parts—narration being one of them. 

In the past, authors had to search for narrators and voice actors to record their books, which was often a costly process. Authors who wanted to save money could also opt to self-narrate their audiobooks, but this is also a time-consuming and energy-draining endeavor, requiring many takes and studio setup. 

Thankfully, contemporary AI-powered text to speech solutions provide authors with human-sounding narration options, bypassing the need to pay for voice talent or record audiobooks from scratch. 

Advanced text to speech platforms like ElevenLabs offer a range of realistic-sounding AI voices that imitate natural human speech to a T, allowing authors to turn any manuscript into a ready-to-download narration. 

Benefits of AI-powered text to speech for audiobook narration

If you’re on the fence about using text to speech to narrate your audiobook, here are some of the benefits to consider: 

Affordable production

Traditional audiobook creation often involves significant expenses, including booking recording studios, finding professional voice actors or narrators, and post-production editing. TTS platforms eliminate many of these costs, making high-quality audiobook production accessible to authors at any budget level.

Speed and efficiency

TTS platforms allow you to generate an audiobook in hours instead of weeks. This quick turnaround time is particularly beneficial for authors with multiple books or tight publishing schedules.

Customizable voices

Modern TTS tools like ElevenLabs offer advanced customization options, enabling authors to fine-tune narration style, pacing, and emotion. Whether your book is a dramatic thriller or a lighthearted romance, TTS platforms can adapt to your story’s unique tone.

Multilingual narration

TTS platforms can produce narrations in multiple languages and accents if your book has a global audience. This capability allows you to connect with international readers without the logistical challenges of hiring multilingual voice actors.

Accessibility and inclusivity

Audiobooks produced with TTS can make your content accessible to visually impaired readers or those who prefer auditory learning. This inclusivity can expand your audience and enhance your book's overall reach.

Top TTS platforms for self-publishing audiobooks

Self-publishing an audiobook using text to speech allows new authors and seasoned writers to release their work on their own terms. However, choosing the right TTS platform is just as important as deciding to self-publish in the first place.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best text to speech platforms for audiobook narration. 

Let’s dive in!

1. ElevenLabs

ElevenLabs has secured its place as a leader in the text to speech market. Powered by advanced AI, this tool offers hyper-realistic AI voices and endless customization options. Ideal for beginner audiobook creators and experienced authors, ElevenLabs offers valuable tools like voice cloning, voice design, and comprehensive fine-tuning to create the perfect AI audiobook narration. 

Key Features:

• Voice cloning: Create a unique, personalized narration using your own voice or a custom voice crafted to suit your book’s tone.
• Hyper-realistic voices: Advanced AI delivers narrations that sound human, capturing natural speech patterns and emotions.
• Multilingual support: Generate audiobooks in 29+ languages and accents, perfect for reaching diverse audiences.
• Ease of use: With a user-friendly interface, ElevenLabs makes it simple for first-time users to produce professional-quality audiobooks.

2. Speechify

Known for its simplicity and versatility, Speechify is another key player in the text to speech sphere. Its user-friendly interface and personalization options are perfect for first-time audiobook creators. Compared to more advanced tools like ElevenLabs, some may find the platform lacking voice quality, but Speechify remains a reliable option for straightforward narration projects. 

Key Features: 

• Wide range of voices: Choose from a variety of narrators to match the tone of your story.
• Adjustable features: Control speed, tone, and emphasis to enhance the audio experience.
• Cross-platform syncing: Create and listen to your audiobook across multiple devices.

3. Murf.ai

Murf.ai offers versatile customization options for authors who want greater creative control. This TTS tool balances creative control with simplicity and provides over 120 voices in 20+ languages. Authors can tweak pitch, emphasis, and pronunciation, making it a versatile tool for all types of narration projects.

Key Features:

• Extensive voice library: Access over 120 voices in 20+ languages and accents.
• Advanced customization: Fine-tune elements like pitch, pacing, and emphasis to craft the perfect narration.
• Integrated tools: Compatible with platforms like Canva and Adobe, making it easy to combine audio with visual elements.

How to choose the best TTS platform for your audiobook 

With so many TTS platforms available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Here’s a checklist to refer to when selecting a text to speech tool for audiobook narration: 

1. Voice quality

Opt for platforms that offer natural, engaging voices that suit your book’s genre and audience. Robotic speech output is in the past, and your listeners are likely to leave better reviews if the narration is realistic and compelling.

2. Customization options

Look for tools that allow you to adjust pitch, pacing, and emotion to align with your work. You’ll want to experiment with customization options until you’re happy with the result. 

3. Language support

If you’re targeting international markets, prioritize platforms with strong multilingual capabilities.

4. Ease of use

User-friendly platforms can save you time and frustration, especially if you’re new to audiobook production.

5. Licensing terms

To avoid potential legal trouble, ensure the platform’s licensing agreements allow for commercial use of the audio you produce.

6. Budget considerations

Compare pricing plans to find a platform that fits your budget while offering the features you need. Most TTS platforms will offer several pricing options tailored to each user’s needs. 

7. Customer support

Platforms with responsive customer service teams and tutorials can offer invaluable support during production, especially when opting to self-publish. 

Final thoughts

Self-publishing audiobooks is an exciting opportunity for authors to reach new audiences while maintaining creative control and maximizing earnings. Thanks to advancements in AI text to speech technology, creating professional-quality audiobooks is now more accessible than ever.

AI-powered text to speech platforms like ElevenLabs provide the tools to produce engaging, lifelike narrations that resonate with listeners. By carefully selecting a TTS platform that aligns with your goals, you can turn your written work into a compelling audiobook, opening doors to new opportunities and connections with your audience.

Good luck on your publishing journey, and don’t hesitate to explore ElevenLabs for audiobooks for more insight. Interested in creating your own audiobook? Create an AI narrator with our AI Audiobooks tools.