Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about DraftAudio Studio, the Player, and Earmark.
How do I create an account?
Just visit DraftAudio Studio, enter your email address, and click Send Magic Link. Check your inbox for an email from hello@draftaudio.com — click the link and you're in. No password needed.
Check your spam folder if you don't see it within a minute. Add hello@draftaudio.com to your approved senders so future links land in your inbox.
What file types can I upload?
DraftAudio accepts .docx files only (Microsoft Word format). For best results:
- Use Word's "Heading 1" or "Heading 2" styles for chapter titles
- Works with "Chapter 1", "Prologue", "Epilogue", "Part I", etc.
- Keep chapter titles under 80 characters
If your manuscript is in another format (Google Docs, Pages, PDF), export it as .docx first.
Do I need to upload a cover image?
A cover image is optional but recommended. It appears on your book card in the Player and on your Earmark listener invite page. If you don't have one, a default DraftAudio cover is used.
How is the conversion price calculated?
Pricing is based on the number of characters in your manuscript:
(characters ÷ 1,000 × $0.045) + $0.30 minimum
A typical chapter (~5,000 characters) costs about $0.53. A full novel (~80,000 characters) costs approximately $3.90. The price is shown before you pay — no surprises.
How long does conversion take?
Conversion time depends on your book's length. Each chapter is converted individually using OpenAI's TTS-1-HD model:
- Short story or single chapter: 2–5 minutes
- Full novel (30 chapters): 1–2 hours
Each chapter generates and uploads individually, so if the browser closes mid-conversion, you won't lose completed chapters.
What voice is used?
DraftAudio uses OpenAI's Nova voice with the TTS-1-HD model — the highest quality setting available. Nova has a warm, clear, natural reading tone well suited for fiction and non-fiction alike.
Additional voice options are planned for a future update.
Can I replace a single chapter without re-converting the whole book?
Yes! In the Studio, use Replace Chapters mode to swap out individual chapters after a revision. You only pay for the characters in the chapter you're replacing — not the whole book.
What happens if my conversion fails or stops mid-way?
Each chapter is saved to your library as it completes, so you never lose finished work. If a conversion stops, you can re-upload and resume — already-converted chapters won't be charged again.
If you experience a persistent issue, email hello@draftaudio.com and we'll help sort it out.
Is my manuscript secure?
Yes. Your manuscript and audio files are stored in a private Cloudflare R2 bucket — they are not publicly accessible. Only you can see your files in the Player. When you send a book to Earmark, a separate listener-only copy is created; your private draft is never directly shared.
We do not sell your data or use your manuscript content for AI training.
Can DraftAudio read my manuscript?
Your manuscript is sent to OpenAI's TTS API for audio conversion only. OpenAI's API usage does not use your content for training by default. MVRO Publishing staff do not read your manuscripts. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
How do I get my book into the Player?
After converting a book in the Studio, it automatically appears in your Player library. Log in to the DraftAudio Player with the same email you used in the Studio.
Can I download my MP3 files?
Yes — every book in your library has a Download button. Your files are always yours. Downloading saves all chapters as individual MP3 files to your hard drive so you can listen offline or keep a local backup.
How do I delete a book from my library?
Click the ✕ button on the book card in your library. You'll be asked to confirm before anything is deleted. Deleting a book removes it from the Player and from cloud storage — this cannot be undone, so download your files first if you want to keep them.
What are the feedback tags and how do I use them?
While listening, you can tag moments in real time. Tags are timestamped to the exact moment in the audio. Available tags include:
- 🔁 Repetitive — something was said before
- 🐢 Too slow — pacing drags here
- ⚡ Too fast — needs more development
- 😕 Confusing — unclear or hard to follow
- ❤️ Love this — keep it exactly as is
- ✏️ Needs work — something feels off
Your tags are saved automatically and visible in the DraftAudio Insights dashboard.
Where can I see all my feedback?
All your author tags are visible in DraftAudio Insights. You can see tags by chapter, by tag type, and compare feedback across revision rounds. Listener feedback from Earmark also appears here once your beta readers have listened.
How do I send my book to beta listeners?
Open your book in the Player and click Send to Earmark. Select the round type (Early Draft, Revision Draft, Final Beta, or ALC) and click Send. A unique invite link is generated — share it with your beta listeners and they can access your book on Earmark without needing an account.
Can I control who listens to my book on Earmark?
Yes. Each invite link contains a unique passcode. Only people you share the link with can access your book. You can create a new invite round at any time, which generates a new passcode and invalidates the old one.
How do I access a book I was invited to listen to?
Click the invite link your author shared with you. It will take you directly to the book on Earmark — no account or sign-up required. The link contains a passcode that gives you access automatically.
How do I leave feedback while listening?
While the audio is playing, tap any feedback tag to mark that moment. Tags are timestamped automatically — you don't need to pause or type anything. Your feedback is saved instantly and sent to the author's Insights dashboard.
Can the author see who I am?
Earmark is designed to be lightweight — listeners don't need to create an account or provide a name. Your feedback is attached to your session but not to a personal profile unless the author asks you to identify yourself separately.
Is this the published version of the book?
No — Earmark is for draft audio only. The book you're listening to is a work in progress. The author is using your feedback to improve it before publication. Please treat the content as confidential.
Why do I sign in with a magic link instead of a password?
Magic links are more secure than passwords — there's nothing to forget, nothing to be phished, and no weak passwords. Each link is single-use and expires in 60 minutes. Just enter your email, check your inbox, and click the link.
I'm not receiving the magic link email. What should I do?
Check your spam or junk folder first — the email comes from hello@draftaudio.com and may be filtered on first delivery. Add that address to your approved senders to prevent it happening again.
If it still doesn't arrive, wait 60 seconds and try again. If problems persist, email hello@draftaudio.com.
I use the app on my home screen — why does the link take me to the login page?
When DraftAudio is saved to your home screen as a web app, it runs in a separate context from your browser. Magic links open in the browser, not the app.
The fix: open the magic link in your browser → once the page loads, tap the "Open" or "Open in app" banner at the top → you'll be taken straight into your library.
What does the $9/month storage subscription cover?
The $9/mo subscription keeps your converted audiobook files hosted in the cloud so you can:
- Stream them anytime in the DraftAudio Player
- Send them to beta listeners via Earmark
- Access your feedback in DraftAudio Insights
Without an active subscription, your files are still safe — but streaming and sharing are paused until you reactivate.
Is there a free trial?
Yes — new authors get a 7-day free trial of the storage subscription after their first conversion. No charge until the trial ends. Cancel anytime before then and you won't be billed.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Click Manage Subscription in the Player header. This opens the Stripe Customer Portal where you can cancel, update your payment method, or view invoices — all without contacting support.
After cancellation, your subscription remains active until the end of the current billing period.
What happens to my files if I cancel?
Your files are safe for 30 days after cancellation. We strongly recommend downloading your MP3s and feedback before your access ends — the Player has a Download button on every book for exactly this reason.
You can reactivate your subscription at any time to restore full access.
My payment failed — what happens now?
Stripe will automatically retry the charge over the next several days and send you email reminders. You'll see a banner in the Player prompting you to update your payment method.
Your files are not deleted during this grace period. Click Manage Subscription in the Player to update your card.
I have a beta coupon code — where do I use it?
During checkout in the Studio, you'll see a promotion code field on the Stripe payment page. Enter your code there to apply the discount before paying.
Beta coupon codes are single-use and expire after a set date — use yours before it expires!
How long does beta access last?
Beta authors receive 90 days of free storage as a thank-you for helping shape the product. After 90 days, the standard $9/mo subscription applies.
Still have a question?
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