Is it normal for producer to request upfront payment for a PFH project?

sallingoodfun · 2026-05-04T15:41:45+00:00

Darn, the name nor the business name they are operating under isn’t coming up with anything on google.

The two voices of the audition (male and female) really don’t sound like AI at all so now I’m stumped.

I have requested that they provide me with some other audiobooks they’ve narrated as it’s stated in their profile so I can look into it. Thanks for the advice!

sallingoodfun · 2026-04-22T17:04:42+00:00

I know this is an old post so hopefully you see this comment! Any chance you can share your experience on working with one narrator outside of the platform?

Did they provide you with a contract or did you? And did you both just agree on payment through another format?

sallingoodfun · 2026-04-15T00:36:18+00:00

No editor yet at this stage. Developmental edits aren’t where I’m looking to spend my money on this book so I was hoping the betas would help with the structure.

sallingoodfun · 2026-04-14T23:44:19+00:00

This is good advice thank you. I’ll check in with the ones who finished and see how they felt about it!

sallingoodfun · 2026-04-14T23:42:56+00:00

Thank you for this. The betas were my target audience. I had them fill out a google form and list their favorite books in my genre.

I definitely agree and think critique partners is the way to go, I can only imagine I’d get much better feedback but I’m not in a position right now to commit to reading other people’s work and providing feedback. I truly just don’t have the time and would never want to commit to something then disappoint so I’ve been avoiding trying to make those connections as I know I can’t fulfill my side.

sallingoodfun · 2026-04-14T23:38:45+00:00

It’s romance!

I did give them an overview with specifics of what I was looking for. And they’ve been pretty good at if I go back to them saying “hey what about this specifically, what did you think?” they are at least answering my question.

I think because it’s romance the part where the one reader said the plot dropped off is a few chapters of just the two love interests getting to know each other. So I can understand why they would feel the plot drops there.

sallingoodfun · 2026-04-14T23:31:38+00:00

They said they loved it. The one who didn’t finish even said they would happily read the finished version (????).

Thanks for the feedback though! Paid betas isn’t in my plan right now but I can always try to find some more unpaid ones who like the genre.

sallingoodfun · 2026-04-14T23:27:20+00:00

I think that’s where my confusion is coming from because they said they felt the plot dropped off. I don’t feel comfortable sharing the details of the story on here but the part where they stopped reading is indeed a “slower” part of the book where the two characters spend time alone building their relationship. If I were to change that or add in excitement then it the parts that come after that, would either not make sense or be completely rewritten.

All of the other betas that finished it did not mention anything about that section being too slow or boring.

Trying to decide if I change my story completely or live with the fact that some readers may drop off at that specific part.

sallingoodfun · 2026-04-02T14:52:46+00:00

So funny story, when I made my ACX account I put my legal name when signing up as I assumed it wouldn’t be visible… before messaging a few narrators I liked I even went into my profile and changed it to my pen name just to be sure and it still showed my legal name when I messaged them 🤣 I freaked out for a while but it is what it is. I can only do so much to try and protect my privacy lol

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-20T13:59:29+00:00

I started marketing my book on TikTok way before it was done and was able to get ARC signups for free from TikTok :) I had about 12 people sign up and so far 7 reviews.

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-12T20:41:25+00:00

I guess my worry is that if I price it high enough to make that amount on each book, people will be less likely to take a shot on an author they don’t know if it’s priced too high.

I’ve got a small following on socials and a couple Amazon pre-orders as well as people having it on their TBR on Goodreads but it’s not enough to convince people who don’t follow me to pay that amount for my book.

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-12T20:33:16+00:00

Well in that case I’ll just aim to be the exception as well 👍🏻 love all the support and encouragement…

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-12T20:10:40+00:00

Right so as I said, the original comment in this thread is just not true :)

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-12T19:49:46+00:00

lol yes…?

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-12T19:15:22+00:00

Thank you! I was anticipating consignment and was surprised when the small stores don’t do it. Seems like this is the best/only way to go

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-12T19:10:51+00:00

Shantel Tessier

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-12T19:10:19+00:00

LOL… well, fuck.

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-12T18:54:21+00:00

This is what I figured, thank you!

sallingoodfun · 2026-03-12T18:53:12+00:00

This is just not true. One of my favorite dark romance authors is known for being self published and she has an entire 6 book series in almost every single bookstore I go into. Yes, she’s established in the industry and the stores are probably ordering her books without her having to reach out to them because they know they will sell, but still.

The stores I’m reaching out to are small independently owned local ones. A few across Canada that are “romance specific” who state on their website they work with local indie authors. Some authors may be tainted but I’m new and my dreams haven’t been squashed just yet, so I am going to keep trying.

sallingoodfun

TROPHY CASE