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It's important to note that this feature isn't universally available for all books. The author’s original audiobook, already on Audible, wasn't eligible for the Virtual Voice service, since it had been previously produced with human narration. The eligibility hinges on certain formatting rules, such as chapter structure, which authors need to adhere to.
The Implications for Authors and the Publishing Industry
The potential impact on self-published authors and small publishers is enormous. With a process simplified to a mere click, independent creators can now produce and release audiobooks at a scale and speed previously impossible without substantial investment.