A Sincere Apology and Update on Our Audiobooks

Dear Valued Readers,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to address an important issue that has recently come to my attention regarding our audiobook project. I believe in transparency and open communication with my readers, which is why I want to share this update with you.

As some of you may know, I had initially planned to create audiobooks using text-to-speech (TTS) technology with voices that reflect the diverse and authentic experiences of the characters in our stories. My intention was to provide an inclusive and immersive listening experience for all our readers, especially those with vision impairments who rely on audiobooks.

However, there has been a significant setback in our audiobook production process. I had invested in a TTS service, Natural Reader, with the hope that it would deliver on its promises of realistic and diverse voices. Unfortunately, my experience with the service has fallen far short of my expectations.

Despite paying for the service, Natural Reader has not provided the diverse range of voices I had hoped for. Instead, I have been left with robotic and Caucasian voices that do not accurately represent the characters and stories we cherish. I want to sincerely apologize to each and every one of you for this disappointment and any inconvenience it may cause.

I understand the importance of authentic representation, and I am deeply committed to delivering the best possible experience to our readers. Therefore, I am exploring alternative solutions, including working with actual voice actors, to ensure that our audiobooks truly capture the essence of our stories.

In the interim, I have decided to proceed with the available TTS voices provided by Natural Reader. While they may not meet the standards we had initially set, they will at least allow us to offer an audiobook option for those who rely on them or enjoy the convenience of listening to our stories while on the go.

I appreciate your understanding and patience during this challenging period. Rest assured that I am working diligently to resolve this issue and provide you with the high-quality audiobooks that you deserve. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and authenticity remains unwavering.

Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of our literary journey. I value each and every one of you, and I am dedicated to ensuring that our future audiobooks will live up to the standards we hold dear.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Your feedback is invaluable as we navigate this situation together.