How Professional Narration Helped a Nonfiction Audiobook Stay on Budget

Background:

A nonfiction author planned a DIY audiobook recording but faced pacing and clarity issues during a pilot. Audiobooks are increasingly important, but poor narration can result in costly pickups and extended studio time.

Challenge:

DIY narration risked multiple pickups, editing delays, and unpredictable costs, inflating the average cost of publishing a book in USA.

Solution:

Estorytellers recommended switching to a professional narrator. A per-finished-hour (PFH) model was applied with QC and pickup buffers.

Implementation:

• Professional voice selected based on style and genre.

• Studio sessions scheduled with built-in QC.

• Milestone payments aligned with completed PFH segments.

Outcome:

The audiobook was completed on budget. Quality increased, listener experience improved, and the author avoided post-launch corrective costs.

Key Takeaways:
Professional narration may cost more upfront but prevents unpredictable expenses. Estorytellers ensures authors control costs while delivering a high-quality audiobook.