Audiobook Quality Reviewer (Remote, Contract)

About the Role Do you listen to audiobooks regularly, and notice right away when a narrator stresses the wrong word, misreads a line, mispronounces a name, delivers dialogue with the wrong emotion, or when something just sounds off? We're looking for attentive listeners to review audiobook productions for our team. In this role, you'll listen critically to complete audiobooks while following along with the source text, identify performance and audio issues, and provide clear, timestamped notes so our production team can correct them. This is not an audio\-editing role — a separate team handles technical audio quality — so professional audio experience is welcome but not required. We're primarily looking for careful, intelligent listeners with strong English comprehension and literary judgment. Responsibilities Listen to complete audiobooks while following the source text Identify unnatural emphasis, incorrect emotion, awkward pacing, and other interpretation issues Identify mispronunciations, repeated or missing words, and obvious audio glitches, clicks, or pops Monitor consistency in character voices, pronunciation, tone, and narrative style across an entire book Distinguish genuine errors from reasonable performance choices Place timestamped markers and write concise notes explaining each issue (training provided) Follow project guidelines and complete assigned audiobooks by established deadlines Occasionally assist with quality review of human\-narrated audiobooks Reviewers use Reaper to listen to audio and place timestamped markers. No prior Reaper experience is required — training is provided. Qualifications Bachelor's degree Exceptional command of written and spoken English, including nuance, idiom, syntax, and meaning Regular audiobook listener with genuine interest in books and spoken\-word performance Excellent reading comprehension and literary judgment Ability to recognize unnatural emphasis, emotion, pacing, pronunciation, and interpretation Strong attention to detail Ability to concentrate for extended listening periods Clear and concise written communication skills Reliable, self\-motivated, and comfortable working independently Comfortable learning new software and following detailed quality standards Reliable computer, high\-speed internet connection, headphones, and a quiet working environment Available for a minimum of 16 hours per week Helpful but Not Required Experience in proofreading, copyediting, publishing, literature, theater, education, linguistics, transcription, captioning, or content review Previous audiobook, podcast, narration, or spoken\-word experience Familiarity with audio software Experience performing quality control using established guidelines Application Process Applicants who meet the initial qualifications will be invited to complete a short listening assessment measuring your ability to identify problems in audiobook narration, including unnatural emphasis, incorrect emotion, pronunciation mistakes, inconsistencies, and obvious audio glitches. No professional audio experience is needed to complete the assessment. Compensation and Payment Contract rate: $16\.00–$17\.00 per hour Payments issued biweekly Direct deposit or paper check available This is an independent contractor engagement, not an employee position; it does not include employee benefits. Equal Opportunity We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Pay: $16\.00 \- $17\.00 per hour Expected hours: 16\.0 – 40\.0 per week Benefits: Flexible schedule Work Location: Remote