Streamline Your Storytelling Process
At Kindred Signal, the aim is to empower audiobook creatives to deliver polished projects on time, freeing you from spreadsheet chaos and text doubts. With 12 years of expertise in managing complex workflows, I provide structure and clarity to enhance your creative flow. Let’s collaborate to bring your stories to life with ease and precision.
Services
Narration Prep
Starting at $40 per finished hour (PFH); sliding scale
Ensure you're fully equipped with detailed chapter summaries, accurate pronunciation guides, comprehensive character sheets, and annotated PDFs. This service streamlines the recording process, reducing pick-ups and enhancing consistency, so you can focus on delivering a compelling performance.
Full-Manuscript Proofing
Starting at $40 per finished hour (PFH); sliding scale
Receive a meticulously timestamped log of all necessary pick-ups, formatted to your specifications. This service helps you ensure that your final audio product is seamless, with all inconsistencies addressed, providing listeners with a polished and professional experience.
Professional Services
Pricing provided upon detailed project assessment.
Tailored services including project coordination, workflow optimization, and quality enhancement strategies. Whether you're navigating complex timelines or aiming to elevate production standards, I collaborate with you to implement efficient systems that support your creative vision and ensure consistent, high-quality outputs.
About Melanie
Books are an obsession; process-design is my secret superpower. After more than a decade refining data and quality systems for large organizations, I shifted that analytical eye to audiobook production.
Today I prep and proof romance, thrillers, fantasy, and everything in between. I value clear timelines, candid communication, and a dash of (maybe dark) humor to keep creative sparks flying. I work from my home base in Kingston, Ontario (and the lively household of three kids who remind me to stay flexible and authentic).
Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.
— John Ruskin
Let's connect
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide samples of your work?
Yes. I share curated examples via a private Google Drive link. Just email or message me and I’ll grant access.
How do you calculate “per finished hour” (PFH)?
One finished hour equals the final, edited hour of audio the listener hears. For prep/proof estimates, I use ≈ 9,300 words = 1 PFH. Your quote is based on the total finished hours (or equivalent word count) plus any special requirements we discuss.
What software and tools do you use?
Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, PDF-XChange Editor, Reaper, and Pozotron. I’m happy to adapt to additional tools if required.
What genres do you specialize in?
Fiction of all stripes—but I light up for romance, fantasy, and paranormal. I’m also comfortable with every heat level of erotica. If your script is heavy on technical jargon or foreign-language passages, let’s talk first so I can confirm the best approach.
What’s your typical turnaround time?
Timelines are set during scoping and depend on word count, complexity, and my current queue. I’ll always give you a firm delivery date before we start.
Do you offer sliding-scale pricing?
Every project is unique. I’m happy to discuss budget - especially for indie creators.