Smut Gets Loud: Erotic Audiobooks Are the New Guilty Pleasure

There's something wildly satisfying about hearing someone whisper your favorite spicy scenes straight into your earbuds. And apparently, we're not alone in this guilty pleasure. Audiobooks are booming in the U.S., with sales hitting a massive $2.22 billion in 2024, according to the Audio Publishers Association. Interestingly, romance sales have jumped 30% year-on-year, making it one of the fastest-growing genres.
And yes, that includes the steamy stuff.
Why Erotic Audiobooks Are Taking Over
According to the same report, 51% of American adults, or about 134 million people, have listened to an audiobook. With general fiction leading the charts, it's not even surprising anymore that romance and erotica are sneaking into people's daily subway commutes, gym sessions, and cozy solo nights.
Because for some smut fans, why read smut when you can hear it?
Audio takes the experience to another level: moans, tension, dirty talk, which are all brought to life with the right narrator. Even a short story can become an immersive, intimate experience with the right narrator. No wonder more people are saying goodbye to silent reading and hitting the play button on their favorite spicy reads.
Producing Your Erotic Audiobook
In an article from Nola, Gary Arnold, PhD, shares how AI tools make it easier for writers to produce audio versions of their work without losing their unique voice or style. You only need your phone and a quiet room; no fancy setup is required. You don't need to be a professional voice actor or have expensive equipment to start recording your erotic audiobook with the right tools.
Today's AI tools can streamline audiobook production, from narration to editing. So, for romance authors, as long as you've got the story, you've got everything you need to bring it to life, including an erotic voice acting.
Arnold believes AI works best as a creative partner and isn't meant to take over the storytelling process but can help you stay inspired, move past writer's block, and finish the story you've been meaning to write.
How AI Erotica Is Changing the Game
AI tools can now help you record and produce your audiobook with no studio required. Whether using your voice or letting AI handle the narration, the tech makes it incredibly easy to bring your fantasies to life in audio form.
And the best part? Erotic audiobooks are no longer just for published authors. Thanks to the rise of erotica AI tools, anyone can write, customize, and produce their own NSFW audio fantasy — no publishing deal or pricey equipment needed.
Erotic story generators like Smitten Stories, one of the first smut generators, make it easy to create spicy, personalized stories made for listening. Want to turn your favorite romance trope into something you can hear? Type in the scenario, choose your unique kinks and let the Smitten AI do the "dirty" work for you.
You may also use the dictation feature on your phone or open your phone’s voice-memo app then read your story aloud and share the sultry recording with someone special. Yes, It's a DIY audiobook and it's genius gift idea.
Make your Erotic Audiobook with Smitten AI
From erotic storytelling to audiobooks, erotica is evolving. And now, you can be the voice behind it. With the right AI tools, like erotic story generators and AI-powered narration, creating your own spicy audiobook has never been easier.
So, let your imagination run wild and explore Smitten to generate custom erotic stories in minutes and take the first step toward to your very own audio fantasy.
Imagine it.
Smitten writes it.
Start crafting your erotic story here.