AI that generates content has revolutionized our approach to writing, reshaping whether we even engage in it. Presently, a startup aims to star in the following narrative: AI taking over the publishing domain. 

Spines positions itself as a self-publishing service which asserts it can, due to its AI integration, execute all functions of a publisher more quickly and affordably. This includes refining text, offering enhancement tips, and delivering candid forecasts about the potential readership; proposing various designs for book covers and layouts; and distributing the final work as an e-book or via print-on-demand options. 

Spines is presenting itself as capable of accomplishing what usually requires six to 18 months at a conventional publisher, but in just two to three weeks. 

“Our innovation lies in the manufacturing procedure,” stated CEO and co-founder Yehuda Niv. 

Launched in 2021, the Miami-located, Israel-conceived startup states it has released at least 1,700 titles and is presently experiencing a 1,000% growth in revenue. Among its notable works are an autobiography by ex-con and cult persona Fleece Johnson; a children’s narrative by an individual who was shot as a youth and is rebuilding his life while using a wheelchair; and a motivational book geared towards women.

Although Spines does not intend to take on writing tasks itself, numerous entities are already addressing that field. 

Spines has garnered $16 million in a Series A round, enhancing its activities further, which will incorporate audiobooks. 

Zeev Ventures — managed by Oren Zeev — is at the helm of Spines’ Series A, with prior supporters Aleph, M-Fund, and LionTree also contributing. Before this, a $6.5 million seed round was completed in April 2024. The exact valuation of the startup remains undisclosed. 

Spines is the creative concept of Niv, established together with Lev David (CMO), Niv Ovdat (COO), and Nir Kenner (CTO). 

Niv recounted his initial thoughts on entering publishing during his time as an electrical engineering student at Ben-Gurion University. He had developed a draft, he explained, but deemed the traditional pitching and publishing processes too challenging. 

Thus, after leaving university, he persevered with his ambition and initiated his personal publishing venture, Niv Books. This marked his initial steps toward employing technology in book production. By accelerating processes — while including people in the process — Niv Books eventually issued 1,200 titles each year. These featured Niv’s own “Silent Thunder,” only available in Hebrew, as well as numerous bestsellers, he remarked. 

It was during that time Niv — considering the rapid success and boundless possibilities of generative AI — developed the idea of an entirely AI-driven publisher.

The notion was first cultivated at Niv Books.

“But soon it dawned on me that this could exceed what Niv Books might ever achieve,” he remarked. “The potential is substantial. Technology is highly advanced, and I had to secure investments from top-tier investors. This is an American firm, distinct from an Israeli one. It reflects a different methodology.”

Hence, he registered it in Delaware and proceeded to construct his startup. 

Niv mentioned that following the business surge and growing exposure experienced with the seed round in April, 12 “top tier” U.S. venture capitalists approached him. He narrowed it to four intense proposals which he brought to Oren Zeev, who had been offering advisement to Niv. 

Zeev — previously a significant backer of Audible, the audiobook company later acquired by Amazon — instead proposed leading the investment personally, issuing a $10 million check. 

“In 2003, I identified the hidden potential of audiobooks with Audible, even before they gained popularity,” he expressed in a statement. “Today, I perceive an analogous change agent in Spines to revolutionize the book publishing sector.”

Currently, there are innumerable digital publishing and self-publishing establishments operating globally. This field notably includes entities such as Amazon, but there are also initiatives in direct competition with Spines via AI that hasten the publication workflow. These comprise Publishing.com‘s Publishing.ai, creatively named AI Book Publisher, and Blurb, in addition to publishing endeavors by major online writing platforms like Wattpad and Inkitt. 

Niv is of the opinion that presently, Spines stands apart because the complete publishing journey can often entail a cost of “tens of thousands of dollars,” without assurance of securing a book agreement. With Spines, naturally, you are granted a deal, since you are purchasing these services personally.

According to Niv, Spines’ production offerings begin at approximately $1,200 and can extend to $5,000, subject to the range of services an author demands. Users are presented with cover illustration choices, though more selections may imply higher expenses. A team professional also participates, stated Niv.

A distribution membership, payable weekly, also exists, starting at $19 per month and potentially reaching $49 per month, influenced by the desired distribution regions. Sales royalties are divided equally among all, where authors earn 70% and Spines claims 30%.

Niv mentioned that this marks a significant enhancement over other publishers, who commonly offer authors a share of 10% to 20% of sales. Finally, there’s a management charge, which fluctuates based on the services provided.

For individuals who are not keen on fully AI-powered publishing, pricier alternatives involving human participation are available. Additionally, there exists a group of customer success representatives. Unlike literary representatives, these individuals have been trained, typically for about a month, on the intricacies of publishing with Spines.

That appears fairly straightforward, though not everything is at Spines.

For instance, you will not be privy to the specific AI involved in the procedure, nor how your intellectual property will be utilized in the long run. Niv confirmed that Spines isn’t developing all of its AI from scratch — akin to many firms today, it’s concentrating on personalizing the existing technologies for its necessities. However, he wouldn’t divulge which external services the startup is incorporating. In further inquiry, a representative labeled that data as the startup’s “secret sauce.”

Furthermore, this AI startup doesn’t appear to provide authors with extensive insights and analytics into what aspects are successful and which are not concerning the content. The company declined to address my inquiries about the most in-demand genres, instead highlighting that they’ve categorized 16,000 distinct genres that stories could align with, and each has the potential. “There isn’t anything evident,” Niv stated.

It’s reasonable to contemplate whether Spines is merely a venture in making things more efficient, or if it perhaps introduces a new aspect to literature: By eliminating all the obstacles, a novel form of storytelling might arise. It’s uncertain whether publishing, akin to any artistic pursuit, has ever been so straightforward before. But meanwhile, Spines plans to approve authors, and its AI will continue to produce more books globally.