{
  "id": 19181119,
  "title": "Exclusive: Publisher Spines raises $64 million in new funding to accelerate effort to automate book publishing with AI",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/exclusive-publisher-spines-raises-64-million-in-new-funding-to",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-09T16:16:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/11/09/publisher-spines-raises-64-million-in-new-funding-to-accelerate-effort-to-automate-book-publishing-with-ai-agents/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Spines, an AI-driven startup that assists authors in publishing their books, has raised $64 million in new funding, according to the company's announcement on Monday. Headquartered in Israel and New York, Spines operates as a hybrid publisher, catering to authors who face difficulties securing traditional publishing deals or prefer to retain greater control over their work, often opting for larger royalty splits compared to conventional publishing houses. Unlike self-publishing, hybrid publishing provides authors with a higher level of support and services, while charging an upfront fee for publication and taking a cut of sales as royalties.\n\nSpines has secured a $29 million Series A-1 equity round led by Zeev Ventures, along with participation from Aleph, NordStar, M-Fund, LionTree, and angel investor Dan Senor. Additionally, the company has received $35 million in non-dilutive growth financing from Twelve, a credit-focused investment management firm. The funding round has not disclosed the company's valuation. As of now, Spines reports a $50 million annual revenue run rate, representing a 400% year-over-year growth. The firm has published over 8,000 authors, translating into 12,000 titles to date.\n\nFounder and CEO Yehuda Niv, who previously founded Israel’s largest publishing house, Niv Publishing, founded Spines after reflecting on the shortcomings of traditional publishing. He believed that AI would eventually render traditional publishers obsolete. In response, he launched Spines, an \"operating system for authors\" that automates various aspects of the publishing process, including editing, cover design, translation, marketing, and distribution to more than 100 channels such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Baker & Taylor. Authors can even generate an audiobook using either a synthetic voice or a clone of their own voice, and translations of the book and audiobook into multiple languages. Spines currently supports seven target languages, with plans to reach 20 within six months.\n\nThe company's AI agents handle tasks more efficiently than traditional freelancers, streamlining the process from manuscript submission to book availability in stores. Niv Publishing's authors typically face challenges with cover designers not dedicating enough time to understand their work. Spines addresses this by having cover agents who research target retail categories and design covers accordingly. The AI-driven publishing process has shortened the time from manuscript to store shelf from months to just weeks. Spines' publishing packages start at roughly $3,000 and can go up to $20,000 for a premium tier that includes publishing in three languages with an audiobook.\n\nSpines' royalty structure has recently changed to allow authors to retain 80% of net royalties, up from the previous 70%. The company reports royalties monthly, offering more transparency compared to the traditional industry norm of twice-yearly or annual statements. Niv's commitment to human-powered publishing means that Spines only publishes books \"100% written by humans,\" utilizing software to detect AI-generated manuscripts. While some AI-related aspects may raise copyright concerns, Niv emphasizes that Spines licenses the image-generation tools and transfers the license to authors. The company currently employs around 350 people, with only about 50 in R&D, and the rest focusing on customer success and support.",
  "summary": "Spines uses AI agents to edit and translate manuscripts, design book covers, produce audiobooks, and market books. Authors pay for its 'hybrid publishing' service and the company also takes a cut of royalties.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Globes English",
        "title": "Israeli AI publishing co Spines raises $64m",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/israeli-ai-publishing-co-spines-raises-64m",
        "published": "2026-11-09T14:00:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post Tech & Start-Ups",
        "title": "AI startup Spines raises $64m., challenging traditional publishing industry",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/ai-startup-spines-raises-64m-challenging-traditional-publishing",
        "published": "2026-11-10T11:24:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}