Sky Captain Steve: An Adventure Above the Clouds!

The way we enjoy books is changing. From traditional paperbacks and eBooks to audiobooks and digital storytelling, readers have more ways than ever to experience a good story. And recent research suggests that listening is becoming an increasingly important part of that picture. For many people, reading has traditionally meant picking up a physical book, finding a comfortable spot and getting lost in its pages. But as lifestyles become busier and digital entertainment continues to evolve, audiobooks are offering readers another way to enjoy stories, discover authors and make time for literature. New research commissioned by Audible and conducted by NielsenIQ, unveiled on 8 October 2026, highlights just how quickly listening habits are changing. The global study, titled The Future of Listening, surveyed 18,000 listeners across 11 countries, including the UK, and found that 34% had consumed more spoken-word audio in the previous 12 months than they had the year before. The findings suggest that audiobooks and other forms of spoken-word entertainment are no longer simply an alternative to reading. They are becoming an established part of how people experience stories. A growing appetite for audiobooks One of the most interesting findings from the research is that listening is increasing across different markets. While 34% of listeners globally reported consuming more spoken-word audio, the figure was even higher in the UK, where 38% said they had increased their listening over the previous year.This reflects a wider shift in how people consume entertainment and make use of their time. Audiobooks allow people to enjoy a story while doing things that might otherwise prevent them from sitting down with a book. Whether commuting, exercising, cooking, walking the dog or relaxing at home, listening provides a flexible way to fit literature into everyday routines. It also offers an opportunity for people who struggle to find time to read traditionally to continue enjoying books and discovering new authors. Less screen time, more storytelling Another interesting aspect of the research is the relationship between audio and screen time. With so much of modern life spent looking at phones, computers and televisions, people are increasingly looking for ways to step away from screens without losing access to entertainment. The study found that 51% of respondents intentionally used spoken-word audio to replace screen-based entertainment, while 47% attributed a reduction in their social media usage to listening. In the UK, these figures were even higher, with 53% saying audio had helped them replace screen-time entertainment and 48% reporting reduced social media usage. For many listeners, audiobooks offer an opportunity to slow down, relax and enjoy a story without another screen demanding their attention. Listening at home to relax was one of the most popular occasions for audio consumption across the countries surveyed. This presents an interesting opportunity for the publishing industry. As readers look for different ways to enjoy stories, publishers and authors have an opportunity to reach audiences who might not necessarily engage with traditional print or digital books. Do audiobooks replace traditional books? One question often raised about audiobooks is whether they take readers away from physical books and eBooks. Interestingly, the research suggests the opposite. Rather than replacing traditional formats, audiobooks appear to complement them and can even encourage people to explore more literature. The NielsenIQ research found that: 61% of respondents had read a book in print or eBook format after listening to it. 69% had listened to an audiobook after previously reading the same book in another format. 63% had listened to an audiobook by an author and subsequently purchased other titles by that author in print or eBook format. 29% had started trying new authors since taking up audiobooks. 29% had explored new genres. These findings demonstrate that audiobooks can help introduce readers to authors and stories they might not otherwise have discovered. For authors, this is particularly encouraging. Having a book available in different formats could create additional opportunities for readers to find their work, become familiar with their writing and explore their wider catalogue. The importance of a good narrator While the story itself remains central to a book's appeal, audiobooks introduce another important element: the narrator. A narrator can influence how a story feels, how characters are brought to life and how easily listeners become immersed in the experience. The research found that genre was the most important factor when listeners selected an audiobook, followed by the subject matter. The narrator ranked closely behind, with 65% of listeners saying they seek out more books narrated by someone they enjoy listening to. This highlights the importance of audiobook production. A well-chosen narrator can bring personality, emotion and atmosphere to a story, helping to create an experience that feels different from reading the printed page. For authors considering producing an audiobook, choosing the right voice is therefore an important part of the process. The narrator needs to suit the tone, characters and intended audience of the book. What does this mean for independent authors and publishers? The growth of audiobooks presents some interesting opportunities for independent authors and smaller publishing businesses. Traditionally, producing an audiobook could involve considerable investment, including professional narration, recording, editing, mastering and distribution. However, as the market develops and production options expand, authors have more opportunities to explore whether audio could work for their titles. Not every book will necessarily be suited to an audiobook, and production costs and potential returns need careful consideration. However, certain genres and types of content may lend themselves particularly well to audio. Fiction, thrillers, fantasy, romance, biographies and personal development books can all offer interesting possibilities, depending on their audience and presentation. Authors may want to consider: Audience demand: Would existing readers enjoy listening to the book as well as reading it? Genre suitability: Does the subject matter lend itself to spoken-word storytelling? Production quality: Would professional narration help bring the book to life? Distribution: Which audiobook platforms would make the title accessible to its intended audience? Commercial considerations: Do the production costs, royalties and potential sales make the investment worthwhile? For independent publishers, the opportunity is not necessarily about moving away from print or eBooks. It is about understanding how different formats can work together to reach more readers. AI narration and the future of audiobooks Technology is also opening up new conversations about the future of audiobook production. One particularly interesting finding from the research was that 50% of respondents were open to listening to or trying AI-narrated content. This suggests that listeners may be becoming more receptive to alternative narration methods, although quality and transparency remain important considerations. AI narration could potentially make audiobook production more accessible and help bring more titles into audio formats, particularly where traditional production costs have previously presented a barrier. However, there are important questions around the use of artificial voices, consent, quality, authenticity and the role of professional narrators. For authors and publishers, these are considerations worth exploring before making decisions about how their work is presented. The future of audiobook production may involve a combination of traditional narration and emerging technologies, but the listening experience must remain at the heart of the decision. The future of reading is about choice The growth of audiobooks highlights something important about the publishing industry: readers are not necessarily moving away from books. They are finding new ways to enjoy them. Some will always prefer the feel of a paperback, the convenience of an eBook or the experience of turning the final page of a physical book. Others will enjoy listening to a narrator bring a story to life while going about their day. And increasingly, readers may want all three options. For authors and independent publishers, this creates an opportunity to think beyond the traditional printed page and consider how their work could reach audiences through different formats. As listening habits continue to evolve, audiobooks are becoming an increasingly important part of the publishing landscape. After all, a good story deserves to be heard as well as read. About the research The findings referenced in this article come from The Future of Listening, a global study commissioned by Audible and conducted by NielsenIQ. The research surveyed 18,000 listeners across 11 countries and was unveiled at the Frankfurt Book Fair on 8 October 2026.

Amazon is making a significant change to its eBook subscription service, with Kindle Unlimited being rebranded as Kindle+ and audiobooks becoming part of the subscription offering in the US. For independent authors and self-publishers, this could open up new opportunities to reach readers, expand into audio and earn royalties through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) programme. But what exactly is changing, and what should authors do next? What is Kindle+? Kindle+ is the new name for Kindle Unlimited, Amazon’s subscription service that allows customers to access a selection of digital reading content. According to Amazon’s announcement, the service has grown to include millions of eBooks, alongside audiobooks, magazines and comics. The new name is intended to better reflect this wider range of content and create a subscription brand that works across Amazon’s marketplaces. For readers, the key development is the ability to access eligible audiobooks through their subscription, alongside eBooks, at no additional cost. For authors, this introduces another way for readers to discover their work: through listening as well as reading. The important takeaway: Kindle+ is not simply a name change. The inclusion of eligible audiobooks creates new opportunities for authors whose books are available in Amazon’s publishing ecosystem. What does the audiobook update mean for authors? Amazon is adding eligible audiobooks to the Kindle+ subscription, allowing subscribers in the US to listen to participating titles as part of their membership. This could be particularly valuable for independent authors looking to broaden their audience. Some readers prefer traditional eBooks, while others enjoy audiobooks during their commute, while exercising or when they have limited time to sit down with a book. Making a title available in both formats can give readers more choice in how they engage with a story. Amazon says it wants to grow the subscription programme by attracting new subscribers through audio and expanding the content available to existing members. To support this, it is also investing additional funds in the KDP Select Global Fund to cover audiobook listening activity. However, inclusion in the programme does not guarantee a particular level of readership or income. Actual results will depend on reader engagement, eligibility and the royalties generated under Amazon’s payment arrangements. How can you get your audiobook into Kindle+? Amazon has outlined two main routes for authors, depending on how their audiobook was created and distributed. Audiobooks created using Virtual Voice Amazon’s Virtual Voice technology allows eligible authors to create audiobooks using synthetic narration. If your eBook is enrolled in KDP Select, its associated Virtual Voice audiobook is automatically included in Kindle+ and the Audible Plus catalogue, according to Amazon’s announcement. If your eBook is already enrolled in KDP Select, you may not need to take any further action to make the eligible audiobook available. If you have not yet enrolled your eBook, visit your KDP Bookshelf to review the KDP Select option and its terms. Virtual Voice may offer a more accessible starting point for authors who want to explore audio without arranging a traditional human-narrated production. Nevertheless, consider your genre, audience expectations and the listening experience you want to provide before choosing a narration method. Audiobooks produced through ACX Authors with audiobooks produced through ACX can also enrol eligible titles in Kindle+ through their KDP Bookshelf. There are important eligibility requirements to check first. Amazon states that eligible ACX titles must have exclusive distribution with Audible and have Read & Listen enabled, a feature previously known as Whispersync for Voice. At launch, ACX audiobooks using the Pay for Production payment model are eligible. Amazon says it is exploring ways to extend eligibility to titles using Royalty Share and Royalty Share Plus arrangements. If your audiobook was produced through ACX, review the current eligibility guidance before making changes to your distribution settings . An important point about exclusivity KDP Select comes with specific terms, including digital exclusivity requirements for enrolled eBooks during the enrolment period. ACX titles also have their own distribution requirements. Before enrolling, check how the relevant terms affect your existing publishing arrangements, particularly if you sell your eBook through other retailers or distribute your audiobook across multiple platforms. Expanding your reach is worthwhile, but it is important to understand the commitments involved before making a decision. How will audiobook royalties work? One of the biggest questions for authors is how listening activity will translate into earnings. Amazon has confirmed that Kindle+ audiobook listening will be paid through the KDP Select Global Fund on a per-page basis , using the programme’s payment system for eligible listening activity. Amazon is adding funds to support this new activity. It has also acknowledged that reading and listening are different experiences and says it will continue evaluating how customers use both formats as the programme develops. For eBooks, the existing per-page payment arrangement continues. Amazon says the additional funding is intended to support listening activity. It is worth remembering that a per-page payment model is not the same as receiving a fixed royalty for every audiobook sale. Your earnings will depend on the applicable programme rules, qualifying activity and the fund’s payment arrangements. If you are deciding whether to invest in audiobook production, consider the full picture: production costs, the likely appeal of your book in audio, the distribution terms and the potential return over time. Where can you track your audiobook activity and earnings? Amazon is also updating its reporting to help authors understand how readers interact with different formats. The announcement highlights three reporting changes: KENP report: Kindle+ pages read and Kindle+ pages listened to can be viewed separately. Prior Month’s Royalties report: Consolidated Kindle+ royalties for reading and listening are available in the report. Audible royalties: Royalties from Audible Plus listening for Virtual Voice audiobooks are included with Audible ALC royalties in the Audible column of the Prior Month’s Royalties report. There is an important distinction for ACX authors: royalties for ACX audiobooks will continue to be reported through the author’s ACX account. These reporting changes should help authors assess whether their titles are attracting readers, listeners or both. Over time, that information may also help inform decisions about which books to prioritise for audio production and promotion. Is Kindle+ available worldwide? At the time of Amazon’s announcement, audiobooks within Kindle+ are available to listeners in the United States, with further marketplaces expected to follow. Authors based in other countries can still enrol eligible audiobooks in KDP Select for distribution to customers in the US, subject to the programme’s requirements. This means the opportunity is not limited to authors living in America. However, availability to listeners and eligibility for authors are two different things, so it is important to check the latest guidance for your particular title and marketplace. If you publish internationally, keep an eye on Amazon’s official announcements for updates as the service expands. Don't have an audiobook yet? Now may be the time to explore your options If your book is currently available only as an eBook, this update could be a useful prompt to consider whether an audiobook would suit your publishing plans. There are several factors worth weighing up before taking the next step. Your audience: Would your readers enjoy listening to your book? Audiobooks can work particularly well for fiction, memoir, personal development and many non-fiction categories, although suitability will vary by title. Your production budget: Professional narration can require a meaningful upfront investment. Virtual Voice may provide another option for eligible books, but the quality and style of narration should fit your audience and content. Your distribution strategy: Think about whether Amazon-exclusive arrangements suit your long-term goals. Wider distribution may be important to some authors, while others may prefer to concentrate on Amazon's ecosystem. Your existing catalogue: If you have several published titles, you may want to assess which book is the strongest candidate for audio rather than committing to a full catalogue immediately. Your financial expectations: Consider production expenses alongside possible royalties, and avoid assuming that subscription availability will automatically lead to significant income. An audiobook can be another way to make your work accessible, but it should be part of a considered publishing strategy rather than a decision made solely because a new platform opportunity has appeared. What does this mean for the future of self-publishing? The move from Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+ reflects a broader shift towards reading experiences that combine different formats. Readers increasingly have choices about how they consume books, and subscription services are evolving to accommodate those preferences. For independent authors, this creates another reason to think beyond the printed page or digital text and consider how a story or subject might work in audio. That does not mean every author needs to produce an audiobook or enrol every title in a subscription programme. The right approach will depend on your audience, publishing goals, budget and appetite for exclusivity. What matters most is understanding the opportunities available and making decisions that support the long-term development of your books. Our advice: Review your existing catalogue, familiarise yourself with the updated KDP Select terms and consider whether audio could help your work reach a new audience. With the right planning, Kindle+ may become another useful option in your independent publishing toolkit.  Further reading and official resources For the latest eligibility requirements, payment information and programme terms, consult Amazon's official resources: KDP Select programme information Royalties in Kindle+ KDP reporting guidance Audiobooks with Virtual Voice ACX audiobook production and distribution Please note: Amazon's programme details, eligibility rules, payment arrangements and marketplace availability may change. This article is based on the announcement supplied for this post and is intended as general information for authors, not financial or legal advice. Check the current Amazon KDP and ACX documentation before making publishing or distribution decisions. At The Glass Arcade Publishing , we believe that understanding the publishing landscape is an important part of building a sustainable writing career. Keep exploring your options, stay informed about industry developments and choose the opportunities that best serve your books and your readers.