How to listen to AltHistory stories with text-to-speech
To listen to an AltHistory story, download it as an EPUB with WP Downloader and open the file in an app that can read it aloud. WP Downloader is a free web tool, so there is nothing to install.
Download an AltHistory story as an EPUB
AltHistory stories are forum threads. WP Downloader collects the threadmarked chapters and puts them into one book.
Copy the story’s AltHistory URL. It should look like this:
https://althistory.com/threads/some-story-name.123456/Then:
- Open the AltHistory downloader.
- Paste the story link into the box.
- Choose EPUB as the output format.
- Choose whether to include the story’s images.
- Download the finished EPUB to your device.
You can also paste the link into the box on the WP Downloader home page. The tool will recognize it as an AltHistory link.
You do not need to sign in to AltHistory. WP Downloader downloads the whole story, rather than individual chapters or lists, and places the available threadmarked chapters in one EPUB. To get chapters added later, download the story again. The tool cannot update an EPUB you already downloaded.
The reading apps covered below open EPUB files. WP Downloader can also create a PDF, but downloading that format requires a free Discord sign-in.
AltHistory support was ported from FanFicFare, the open-source fanfiction downloader.
Listen on an iPhone or iPad
Apple’s Speak Screen feature can read an EPUB aloud in Apple Books.
Turn on Speak Screen first:
- Open Settings.
- Choose Accessibility.
- Select Spoken Content.
- Turn on Speak Screen.
Open the downloaded EPUB in Apple Books. With the story on screen, swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers to begin reading it aloud.
Speak Screen uses the text-to-speech voices installed on your device, so the voice and how natural it sounds depend on the voices available.
Listen on Android
You can use Android’s Select to Speak feature or an EPUB reading app with a read-aloud mode.
Use Select to Speak
Open Settings, choose Accessibility, and turn on Select to Speak. You can then tap items on the screen to hear them read aloud.
Use Moon+ Reader
Moon+ Reader opens EPUB files and has a built-in text-to-speech mode. Open the EPUB from WP Downloader and start the app’s read-aloud option.
Use @Voice Aloud Reader
@Voice Aloud Reader also reads EPUB files aloud. Open the downloaded EPUB in the app and start its reading feature.
These apps use the text-to-speech voices installed on your device, so the narration depends on the available voices.
Listen on Windows, macOS, or Linux
Thorium Reader and calibre are free desktop programs that open EPUB files.
Use Thorium Reader
Thorium Reader is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Open the AltHistory EPUB and start the program’s read-aloud feature.
Use calibre
Add or open the EPUB in calibre, launch it in the e-book viewer, and use the Read aloud feature.
Both programs use the text-to-speech voices installed on your computer.
Keep the EPUB ready for listening
Save the EPUB somewhere you can find it easily when opening your reading app. If you want to listen on another device, move the file to that device and open it with one of the apps above.
The EPUB keeps the threadmarked chapters in one book, so you do not have to open each chapter separately.
For other ways to use the file, see how to send AltHistory stories to Kindle or read AltHistory stories on Kobo.
FAQ
Do I need an AltHistory account?
No. You can download an AltHistory story with WP Downloader without signing in to AltHistory.
Can I download just one chapter?
No. WP Downloader downloads the whole AltHistory story and collects its threadmarked chapters into one book.
Which format should I use for text-to-speech?
Use EPUB. Apple Books, Moon+ Reader, @Voice Aloud Reader, Thorium Reader, and calibre can open EPUB files and use the listening methods described above.
Will WP Downloader add new chapters to my existing EPUB?
No. Download the story again to get a new EPUB containing the latest available threadmarked chapters.
Why does the narration sound different between devices?
The accessibility features and reading apps listed here use the text-to-speech voices installed on each device. How natural the narration sounds depends on those voices.