The Era of Spoken Storytelling: Why We’re at a Turning Point for Authors

By Spoken Co-Founder Andrew Wallner and Content Strategist Stacy Smith Rogers

There has never been a better time to be a self-published author, even for writers struggling to affordably build their platforms and earn money from their writing. With recent ground-breaking advancements in technology, self-published authors have unprecedented opportunities to bring their stories to life through immersive audio performances. 

This new era of storytelling is rooted in tradition and bolstered by technology. It unlocks new creative possibilities for writers, redefines engagement between authors and audiences, and carves out new economic opportunities for storytellers. 

Even better, it’s fun.

Spoken Experience is Eye- (and Ear-) Opening

In a recent interview with Spoken, author Jessica Wheeler shared how the process of giving voice to her writing has opened up a whole new creative experience for her. “It’s inspired me to write more because the studio is just plain fun. It’s fun to do it and it’s fun to hear your work come to life. I would say for someone who’s more comfortable with a notebook, this has been so eye-opening.”

Wheeler has traditionally published poetry and is visible on several platforms but branched out to prose when she started publishing on Spoken because she wants to build her audience and connect with readers in new ways. One of her short stories, On a Bench by the Sea, was selected as a 2025 Staff Pick. (See a trailer of it here.) 

“Authors who seek to build their brands can now connect with growing audiences through affordable narration …” – Spoken CEO Phil Marshall

Like a lot of other indie authors narrating their work on Spoken, Wheeler is embracing the affordability and accessibility of quality narration on the platform. What was once reserved for major publishing houses or self-publishers with expansive budgets is now within reach for independent creators. The barriers that traditionally made audiobook production expensive and time-consuming—voice talent, studio recording, distribution—have been significantly reduced by AI-driven narration, streamlined publishing platforms, and growing audience demand.

Spoken is driven by AI automation, fueled by a three-tier economic model and fostered by a vibrant storytelling community that connects creators in new ways. One of the key features that makes Spoken unique is the ability to cast multiple voices for a project, sourcing from the voices of real voice actors (who can profit from it) and from a vast library of system-generated voices, including custom voices the authors can design themselves through prompts.

New Storytelling Economy for Creators

Spoken Founder and CEO Phillip Marshall explains how this new era in storytelling is groundbreaking not only because of the tech behind it, but because of how it helps writers, and in some cases, the actors who are lending their voices to the technology. “Authors who seek to build their brands can now connect with growing audiences through affordable narration, even uploading an entire novel with multiple voices. And for those authors who produce short works, there’s an opportunity for them to showcase their unique pieces alongside other authors. That gives listeners a broad range of works to choose from,” he said. 

“What’s even better, is that after we move through the beta phase, we have a monetization plan in place that enables authors to make money in ways they have never done before. So, for the first time, these writers can self-publish spoken stories, build their brand, and share their work in a way that benefits them.” According to Marshall, this isn’t just a shift in format. It’s an entirely new economy for creators who have never had a viable way to monetize their work in audio storytelling. 

“I think Spoken is going to speak for itself” – Author Jessica Wheeler

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, storytelling is undergoing a profound transformation. The resurgence of audio storytelling marks a return to our roots, where narratives were shared orally, fostering deep connections and communal experiences. For authors like Wheeler who are using the studio experience in Spoken to foster their own creativity and reach readers in new ways, it’s not just about authors pushing a button or the automation of the process. It's about being a part of this new era in storytelling. “It’s not going to take them long to see what the potential is,” Wheeler noted, emphasizing her excitement in casting voices for her stories and how that has contributed to her editing process. “I think Spoken is going to speak for itself,” she added. 

Why This Moment in Audio Storytelling Matters

Just as platforms like Instagram revolutionized visual storytelling, audio is now poised to become the next frontier in narrative expression. This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about a fundamental shift in the way audiences consume and interact with narrative-based written content.

• The Spoken Word Audio Report released in 2023 from NPR and Edison Research highlights that almost half (48 percent) — approximately 135M people — of people in the U.S. age 13 or older listen to some type of spoken word audio daily. According to the report, listeners spent 31 percent of their daily audio time with spoken word, which is a 55 percent increase in the last decade.

• The global audiobooks market (estimated at $10 billion) is expected to continue to grow at more than 25 percent each year.

• Thirty-eight percent of American adults listened to an audiobook in the last year - that equates to nearly 100 million people, listening to an average of five books in a year (up from four just a year earlier)

“This is a monumental time in the audio self-publishing industry,” Marshall added. “Here at Spoken, we’re creating a platform where authors are rewarded, and we’re delivering listeners a high-quality audio experience in a format that celebrates authors and readers alike. We believe that Spoken storytelling is the missing link that finally allows unpublished authors to turn their passion into sustainable income.”

What’s Next for Aspiring Authors?

Join us! Tune in and listen to a narrated version of this article on Spoken. (The voices cast for this performance are those of real voice actors.)

Learn more about the Spoken experience at spoken.press. and follow along on socials at social.press. And when you have time, check out the interview with Jessica Wheeler on Spoken's YouTube channel. Jessica's story, On a Bench by the Sea, and others can be found at spoken.press.