How ACX Works: The Self-Published Author's Guide to Audible Distribution
Every author I work with who's considering an audiobook asks the same question eventually.
"Wait. What even IS ACX?"
And that's a fair question. The audiobook world has its own language, its own platforms, its own ecosystem. If you've been focused on print or ebooks, you probably haven't had any reason to learn it.
ACX is where it all starts for most self-published authors publishing on Audible. Here's how it actually works, the honest and non-confusing version
ACX in One Sentence
ACX, the Audiobook Creation Exchange, is Amazon's platform for producing, publishing, and distributing audiobooks to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
Think of it the way you think of KDP for ebooks: it's the backstage portal. Audible is the storefront where listeners buy and stream. ACX is where you submit the files, set the terms, manage your listing, and collect your royalties.
Who Uses ACX
Two groups.
Authors who want to publish an audiobook: you bring the manuscript, and ACX gives you the infrastructure to produce and distribute it. You can work with a narrator through ACX's marketplace, work with a producer outside ACX and upload the finished files, or record it yourself.
Narrators and producers who want to find work: they browse available manuscripts, audition, and connect with authors. This narrator marketplace is actually one of ACX's most useful features, especially for authors who don't already have a narrator in mind.
Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive: The Decision That Matters Most
When you publish through ACX, you choose one of two distribution arrangements. This choice affects your royalties and where your audiobook can be sold.
How the ACX Submission and Review Process Works
Once your audiobook files are ready, here's the sequence:
1. Create your ACX account and claim your book
Log in to acx.com with your Amazon account. Search for your book title and claim it to establish you as the rights holder. If your book doesn't appear in ACX's catalog, you can add it manually.
2. Set up your project
Fill in the project details: language, genres, your distribution preference (exclusive or non-exclusive), and whether you're producing the audio yourself or looking for a narrator through the ACX marketplace.
3. Upload your finished files
This is where the technical requirements matter. ACX has specific standards for audio quality that every file must meet before the review process can begin. More on those requirements in Post 5 of this series.
4. QA review
ACX's quality assurance team reviews your submission, typically within five to ten business days. They check file format, audio quality, chapter structure, cover art, and metadata. If anything doesn't meet the technical standards, you'll receive a rejection with notes on what needs to be corrected.
5. Approval and going live
Once approved, your audiobook is live on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, usually within a few days of approval. You'll receive a royalty statement each month for the prior month's sales.
ACX Royalties: How You Actually Get Paid
ACX pays royalties monthly, approximately 45 days after the end of the sales month. So January sales pay out in mid-March, roughly.
Royalties are calculated as a percentage of the audiobook's list price: 40% for exclusive, 25% for non-exclusive. Audible also participates in a member credit system, where subscribers use monthly credits to purchase audiobooks. Credit purchases earn the same royalty rate as cash sales.
One thing to know: Audible frequently discounts audiobooks for non-member buyers and runs promotions. Your royalty is calculated on the sale price at the time of purchase, not on your list price. During promotions, that can be lower than you'd expect.
ACX vs. Going Direct to Other Platforms
ACX gets your audiobook on Audible, which is where the majority of audiobook listeners are in the US. But it's not the only option.
Authors who choose non-exclusive distribution on ACX can also distribute independently to Apple Books, Spotify, Kobo Audio, Google Play Books, Libro.fm, and library platforms through distributors like Findaway Voices (now Spotify for Authors) or Authors Republic.
For most self-published authors starting out, ACX is the right first step. Audible's audience is enormous and the platform is well-designed for independent publishers. Expanding to additional platforms is a logical next step once you're live and have a sense of how your audiobook is performing.
How DiggyPOD Works With ACX
DiggyPOD produces your audiobook files to meet ACX's technical standards and delivers them ready to upload. We handle manuscript preparation, narration, editing and mastering, file structuring, and QC so what you bring to ACX is a submission that moves through review cleanly.
Once you have the files, the ACX upload and setup process is yours to manage. We walk you through it.
→ Talk to DiggyPOD about audiobook production
FAQ’s
Is ACX free to use?
Yes. There’s no fee to use ACX as an author. ACX earns revenue by taking a percentage of your royalties rather than charging upfront.
Can I use ACX if I already have a finished audiobook?
Yes. If you’ve produced your audiobook independently and it meets ACX’s technical requirements, you can upload directly without using the narrator marketplace.
Does ACX distribute to Apple Books?
ACX distributes to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. For broader Apple Books distribution or other platforms, non-exclusive ACX authors can also distribute through separate services.
How long does ACX review take?
Typically five to ten business days. Files that don’t meet technical standards are rejected and returned with notes. The author then corrects and resubmits, which starts the review clock again.