Audiobook Narration Rates

Solo audiobook narration starts from £155 PFH. PFH means Per Finished Hour: the running time of the completed audiobook, not the number of hours spent recording and producing it.

For example, a finished audiobook of approximately 10 hours at £155 PFH would have a base narration cost of approximately £1,550. This is a planning illustration, not a fixed quote for every book; the final agreement depends on the manuscript and production requirements.

What the starting rate means

The £155 PFH figure is the public starting point for solo audiobook narration. It lets an author or publisher make an early budget estimate before the complete scope is known. A final quote follows review of the manuscript details, proposed schedule and delivery responsibilities, so both sides know what the fee covers. It is not a promise that every title, format or deadline can be produced at the starting rate.

Estimating finished audiobook length

A useful early planning range is roughly 9,000–9,300 words for one finished hour. Actual duration depends on narration pace, genre, dialogue and the performance the book requires.

• 50,000 words: around 5.5 finished hours
• 75,000 words: around 8 finished hours
• 90,000 words: around 10 finished hours

These are planning estimates, not guaranteed runtimes. A manuscript sample and its dialogue density give better context than word count alone.

What changes an audiobook quote?

The quote reflects the real structure of the production. Relevant factors include manuscript length and estimated finished duration; preparation and research; the number and complexity of characters; accent, dialect and pronunciation requirements; the schedule; and the required files and delivery specification.

The production agreement also identifies who is responsible for editing and mastering, how pickups are handled and whether the book is solo, dual or duet narrated. Preparation is a normal part of professional narration. These details are discussed early so that the scope is clear, rather than presented later as unexplained extras.

Finished audio and raw narration

Finished audio

Finished audio normally means the narration plus the agreed editing, mastering and delivery work where Jimmy is responsible for production. Exact technical and file requirements should be confirmed before recording, particularly when a publisher or distributor has its own specification.

Raw or unfinished audio

Raw or unfinished audio is narration supplied for another producer, editor or engineer to complete. It is quoted according to that production arrangement because the recording split, file hand-off, pickups and quality-control responsibilities can vary. No universal public raw-audio rate is stated.

Duet and dual narration pricing

Dual and duet projects are quoted individually because their production structures can differ substantially. A book may use split point-of-view chapters, dual narration, or true duet/dialogue recording. Jimmy may supply only his own raw narration, or the agreement may assign wider editing, mastering and delivery responsibilities.

The quote therefore considers coordination with the second narrator, who edits and masters, how shared scenes are assembled, the pickup process and who is responsible for final delivery. See the performance considerations for romance, dark romance and fantasy or romantasy.

Pickups and revisions

Narrator errors are corrected as part of the agreed narration service. If the author or script changes after recording, additional pickup work may be charged. Substantial rewrites or changes after recording are quoted separately where appropriate. The purpose is to distinguish corrections from new work and set fair expectations before production begins.

Request a meaningful quote

Use the enquiry form to send the title, genre, approximate word count, preferred production model, desired schedule and any audition requirements. Details about principal characters, accents, pronunciations and delivery expectations are also helpful. If the model is not yet decided, describe the result you want and the available options can be discussed.