Making your own audiobooks on ACX can be a fun and fulfilling process for writers who want to expand their publishing options.
ACX, or Audiobook Creation Exchange, is a marketplace that connects writers with narrators and producers to create audiobooks that can be sold on Amazon, Audible, iTunes, and other platforms. Writers can retain control over their work and reach new audiences through the growing audiobook market.
How much can you earn?
From ACX’s website, they say:
- Depending on the distribution rights granted to Audible, authors, publishers, and other Rights Holders, as well as narrators, studio professionals, and other Producers can earn royalties of up to 40%.
- A special introductory bonus. If you’re a Rights Holder working under a Pay for Production deal we’ll pay an extra $50 every time the audiobook produced under the deal is the first audiobook purchased by an AudibleListener™ member on Audible. If you’re a Rights Holder or Producer working under a Royalty Share Deal, you’ll share those $50 Bounty payments in a 50-50 split—just like you share royalties in a Royalty Share Deal. That’s an extra $25 on top of royalties.
Decide who will read your book
One of the first steps in making your own audiobooks on ACX is to choose your narrator or voice actor. You can narrate it yourself or hire someone! If you record the audiobook yourself, you’ll need to invest in quality microphone equipment, noise canceling software, VST plugins, and have some knowledge about sound editing
While making your own audiobooks can be a rewarding experience, it does require some investment of time and money. Hiring a narrator and producing an audiobook can be expensive, and there’s no guarantee that your audiobook will sell well. If you are looking for a professional, articulate female narrator, I provide voice narration services on ACX – here is my profile. I specialize in reading informational, motivational, and professional narration.
There is a wide database of male and female narrators with various experience levels and styles, so it’s important to listen to samples and find someone who fits your story and characters. You can also post a casting call and receive auditions from interested narrators. Once you’ve chosen your narrator, you’ll work with them to finalize the audiobook’s script and style.
Upload your Audiobook
After you’ve worked with your narrator to create your audiobook, you’ll need to upload it to ACX for review. ACX has specific technical requirements for audiobooks, such as file formats, audio quality, and length, so be sure to read the guidelines carefully. Once your audiobook is approved, you can set a price and release date. ACX also offers marketing tools and resources to help you promote your audiobook and reach new listeners.
Making your own audiobooks on ACX can offer writers several benefits. For one, it allows you to reach a wider audience and potentially earn more income from your writing. Audiobooks are also a growing market, with more and more listeners turning to audiobooks for entertainment and education. By creating your own audiobook, you can take advantage of this trend and expand your readership.
However, for writers who are willing to take the risk and put in the effort, making your own audiobooks on ACX can be a way to share your work with a new audience and explore new publishing possibilities.