ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange)
Amazon's marketplace connecting authors, narrators, and producers for audiobook creation and distribution on Audible and Amazon.
ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) is Amazon's marketplace platform that connects authors and publishers with audiobook narrators and producers. It serves as both a production marketplace and a distribution channel, with finished audiobooks distributed through Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.
ACX offers several production models. Authors can hire narrators for a per-finished-hour fee, offer royalty-share agreements (where the narrator works for free in exchange for a percentage of future sales), or use a combination of upfront payment and royalty sharing. ACX also allows authors to upload their own audio if they have produced the audiobook independently.
The royalty structure on ACX depends on the distribution option chosen. Exclusive distribution through ACX (Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books only) pays 40 percent royalties. Non-exclusive distribution (allowing sales through other platforms) pays 25 percent royalties. Royalty-share arrangements split these percentages equally between author and narrator for seven years.
For authors using AI narration tools like Narratemi to produce their audiobooks, ACX remains a viable distribution channel. Authors upload the finished audio files produced by the AI system, meeting ACX's technical requirements for audio quality, chapter segmentation, and metadata. The key consideration is that ACX requires disclosure of AI-narrated content and has specific policies around synthetic voices.
Related Terms
Audiobook Distribution
The process of making audiobooks available to listeners through retail platforms like Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo.
Audiobook Royalties
The percentage of audiobook sales revenue paid to authors, narrators, and rights holders for each copy sold or streamed.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
A unique numeric identifier assigned to each edition of a book, including audiobook editions, used for cataloging and distribution.
Audiobook Narrator
The voice performer who reads and performs an audiobook, bringing characters and story to life through vocal performance.
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