AI-powered self-publishing platform Spines introduces author voice cloning for audiobooks, expands translation services to seven languages, and grows its author base to more than 6,000 users.
The company launched in 2021 as a spinoff of Niv Publishing, Israel's main self-publishing platform. Using AI, the platform automates multiple aspects of publishing, including editing, proofreading, cover design, marketing, and distribution across more than 100 retailers. Authors upload manuscripts and receive published books within three weeks.
In addition to book production, authors can now create full-length audiobooks narrated in their own voice by providing 33 minutes of audio samples, which is a significant reduction from the 40-plus hours traditionally required for studio recording. The voice cloning feature builds on the company's existing audiobook service, which now offers more than 300 artificial voice options. The platform has also implemented AI-assisted proofing.
"We can create a voice model and do the whole audiobook from that. Our tools can predict where a recording may be at fault, directing where someone can go in and make changes manually. We are now able to save a lot of human labor in creating those audiobooks", says Yehuda Niv, Spines CEO and founder.
Venture capitalist Michael Eisenberg, investor at Aleph and one of Spines' backers, tested the technology for his forthcoming book. "He sent it to his friends and he told them, 'What do you think about when you're recording?' They actually didn't know it's an AI," Niv said. "Even his wife couldn't tell the difference."
Beyond audiobooks, Spines has implemented an AI-human hybrid approach to translation services, supporting Spanish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and additional languages. "AI for speed, human for quality, because the translations based on AI are not good. They are not that accurate yet," Niv explained. "So we have a man in the loop who reviews. The translation service represents Spines' effort to help authors double and quadruple their audience potential because the book is in more languages and in more formats," according to Niv.
Among those backing the company is Oren Zeev, founder and managing partner of Zeev Ventures and an early investor in Audible. "Back in 2003, I saw the untapped potential of audiobooks with Audible, long before they became popular," Zeev said. "Today, I see a similar transformative power in Spines to reshape the book publishing industry."
Looking ahead, Spines is developing a copilot tool to help authors complete manuscripts. "We want to help people to not only publish their book, but also finish writing their manuscript, because a lot of authors are getting stuck," Niv said.