ALLi podcast reveals audiobook listeners buy across formats and AI reshapes ghostwriting

The Reader Times desk 16 October 2026 Based on Alliance of Independent Authors reporting

Editorial illustration of a library office where books and artificial intelligence research meet. — Editorial illustration for The Reader Times.

ALLi News Editor Dan Holloway discusses Audible’s Nielsen IQ study showing 18,000 listeners purchase the same titles in multiple formats while still preferring human narrators, plus updates on Smashwords pre‑orders and AI’s impact on ghostwriting.

In the latest Self‑Publishing News podcast, ALLi News Editor Dan Holloway highlighted findings from Audible’s new Nielsen IQ study of 18,000 audiobook listeners.

The research indicates that many listeners buy the same books in both audio and print or e‑book formats, yet they continue to seek out human‑voiced narrations rather than synthetic alternatives.

Holloway also reported that Smashwords is now offering pre‑order and pre‑sale capabilities through its partnership with Draft2Digital, expanding options for independent authors to launch titles ahead of release.

Finally, the podcast covered a Bookseller report noting that artificial intelligence is dividing the ghostwriting market, creating distinct segments for AI‑assisted and fully human‑written projects.