ACX audiobook guide for authors who want to produce and sell audio
ACX connects authors with narrators and sells finished audiobooks on Audible, Amazon and Apple. This guide covers what to prepare.
What ACX Audiobooks is
ACX is Amazon's audiobook marketplace. You list your book, find a narrator, approve the recording and publish it for sale on Audible, Amazon and Apple. You can also upload audio you produced yourself.
The choice that matters most is how you pay for production and how you license the audiobook. Both change what you earn, so read the current terms before you choose.
Who it suits
- Authors with a finished ebook or print book who want an audio edition
- Authors who want a narrator without hiring a studio
- Authors who already sell on Amazon and want to add audio
- Authors who can approve a recording and review chapters
What to prepare before you upload
- A final, edited manuscript, because changing text after recording is costly
- Proof that you hold the audio rights to the book
- A short audition script that shows the tone of the book
- A decision on how to pay the narrator: a fee or a royalty share
- A decision on exclusive or non-exclusive distribution
- A budget and a timeline for review and revisions
Things to weigh up
- Exclusive distribution usually pays a higher royalty but ties the audiobook to Amazon-owned stores
- A royalty share lowers your upfront cost but also lowers your long-term earnings
- Eligibility depends on where you live, so check the current country list
- Terms change, so confirm the rates and rules on the ACX site
Free tools for ACX Audiobooks
Each tool runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is uploaded. Results are planning estimates, so confirm the final figure on ACX Audiobooks itself.
- Royalty & Print Cost CalculatorPlan the profit on your ebook and print edition beside the audio plan.
- Book Description BuilderWrite a description that works for the audio listing as well.
- Multi-Platform Sales DashboardTrack audio sales beside your other formats.
Common questions
Do I need to own the audio rights?
Yes. You must hold the audio rights to the book. If you signed a publishing contract, check who holds them.
How do I pay a narrator on ACX?
You can offer a per-hour fee or a royalty share. A fee costs more at the start. A share costs less at the start but takes part of your later earnings.
Can I sell my audiobook outside Amazon?
It depends on the distribution option you choose. Exclusive terms tie you to Amazon-owned stores. Read the current ACX terms before you commit.
Official pages
Disclaimer. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Platform terms, fees and rules change, so confirm them on ACX Audiobooks's own pages before you publish. Book Recommendations is independent and is not affiliated with ACX Audiobooks. See the full disclaimer and our editorial policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.