Convert a document to audio for free
Check out Eleven Labs
I’ve been working with a new company called Eleven Labs, which uses AI to create pretty good quality audiobooks. They have a new product called the Eleven Reader, and for listeners, it’s free for 2 hours a week of listening, and the next plan is $8 a month for 30 hours of listening.
What’s unique is that you can upload your own materials if you want. Let’s say someone sent you a 50-page PDF you’d rather listen to than read. You can upload it, have Eleven Labs create an audio version on the fly, and then listen.
Don’t like the voice? You can change it even mid-stream and generate a new version.
Did I mention that it’s free? When using the reader service, to avoid copyright infringement you should only upload materials you have the rights to or materials for your own use. I consider this like having a friend, family member or coworker read something to you that you can listen to in the car.
As an author, I can upload anything I’ve written. I can either sell an audiobook or get paid $1.10 for each “engaged listener.” Not sure what that means, but with only a few books uploaded so far, I’m making $10-$15 a month—a new revenue source.
Yesterday afternoon I returned to my alma mater, Florida International University, to teach an introductory creative writing class about artificial generative intelligence and self-publishing.
It was fun to get ideas from students and show them how Claude.ai (which I use interchangeably with ChatGPT) could give them direction. One student had an idea about scientists developing a means of interstellar travel – similar to Star Trek’s warp drive. Claude gave him four different directions—in the interest of space (no pun intended) I’m only show you the headers.
“Here are some chilling directions for your dimensional travel horror story: The Mirror Dimension. Temporal Parasites. The Inhabited Void. Memory Bleed. The Observation Effect. Which direction intrigues you most? I'd love to help develop whichever concept catches your interest.”
The student chose one, and Claude gave him further ideas for how to develop that idea. It was a great exercise for students who are just beginning to flex their creative muscles and don’t know how to move forward with their ideas. We had an interesting discussion about the ethics of AI, and I was honest with them. To me, it’s a tool, and no one has the right to tell me how to use my tools. I get to make my own judgments.
In Dog We Trust is free today, as part of a joint author promotion for Pets and Cozy Mysteries. If you like puns, it’s worth clicking on the link just to look at the clever titles. Dog Catcher in the Rye? A Waffle Lot of Trouble? Paw and Order?
I’m also sharing a link with fellow author Louise McLaughlin. If the blurb appeals, you can get a free sample of her latest book in exchange for signing up for her newsletter.
WANTED UNIVERSAL CODERS Secret Organisation, The 23, seeks a long-term relationship with gifted people. Discretion and the ability to think differently are essential. Grey morality is desirable. Excellent job satisfaction. No need to apply… We’ll find you.
With love and gratitude,
Neil
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