How to Self-Publish an Audiobook on ACX and Findaway Voices

Audiobooks are no longer a nice-to-have. They're a substantial and growing segment of the book market — one that independent authors are increasingly capturing for themselves. According to the Audio Publishers Association, audiobook revenue has grown for more than a decade straight, and the audience continues to expand as smart speakers, commutes, and subscription platforms make listening easier than ever.

If you've published or are preparing to publish a book, adding an audiobook edition is one of the highest-ROI moves you can make. In this guide, we'll walk through the two main platforms self-published authors use — ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) and Findaway Voices — and help you decide which is right for your project.

The Two Primary Platforms

Self-published authors producing audiobooks have two major platforms to choose from:

• ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) — owned by Amazon/Audible, distributes exclusively to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes
• Findaway Voices — an independent platform that distributes to 40+ retailers and library systems worldwide

Each has distinct advantages and trade-offs. Many authors use both, depending on the project.

Getting Started with ACX

ACX is Amazon's audiobook production and distribution platform. It connects authors with narrators and audio engineers, and it distributes finished audiobooks exclusively through Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.

Step 1: Claim Your Book on ACX

Go to acx.com and log in with your Amazon account. Search for your book by title or ISBN and click "This is my book" to claim it. You'll be asked to verify that you hold the audio rights.

Step 2: Choose Your Production Path

ACX offers three production options:

• Hire a narrator through ACX: You post your book, narrators audition, and you choose one. Payment can be a flat fee (you pay upfront) or a royalty share (the narrator earns 50% of royalties instead of payment, which reduces your upfront cost).
• Produce it yourself: If you want to narrate your own book, you can record and upload the finished files. ACX has strict technical specifications — 192kbps MP3, consistent room tone, specific noise floor requirements.
• Upload a finished audiobook: If you've already had the audiobook produced elsewhere, you can upload the completed files directly.

Step 3: Understand the Exclusivity Decision

This is the most important decision you'll make on ACX. Exclusive distribution gives you 40% royalties on Audible sales. Non-exclusive distribution gives you 25% royalties. The difference seems significant, but exclusive distribution means your audiobook is only available on Audible/Amazon/Apple — nowhere else.

For most authors, non-exclusive is the better long-term choice unless Audible is clearly your dominant sales channel. Non-exclusive allows you to also distribute through Findaway Voices, libraries, and international platforms.

Step 4: Submit and Wait for QC

Once your audio files are uploaded, ACX runs quality control. This typically takes one to two weeks. Common rejection reasons include room noise, incorrect file format, inconsistent audio levels, or missing opening and closing credits. Get these right the first time by reviewing ACX's audio submission requirements before producing.

Getting Started with Findaway Voices

Findaway Voices (now part of Spotify) is a more author-friendly platform in terms of distribution reach. It pushes your audiobook to over 40 retailers and library platforms, including Spotify, Kobo, Hoopla, Scribd, OverDrive, Google Play, and more.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Sign up at findawayvoices.com. The platform is straightforward — you'll enter your book's metadata, upload your manuscript, and either upload finished audio or use Findaway's narrator marketplace to find talent.

Step 2: Narrator Selection

Findaway Voices has a curated marketplace of professional narrators. You can browse by genre experience, listen to samples, and request auditions. Unlike ACX's royalty-share model, Findaway Voices charges a production fee upfront — typically ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the book's length and narrator's rate.

The advantage is that you keep 80% of royalties from all sales — no long-term revenue sharing with the narrator.

Step 3: Distribution Selection

You can choose to distribute to all Findaway Voices partners or select specific retailers. This is especially useful if you're using ACX for Audible/Amazon and want Findaway to cover the rest of the market. Just make sure your ACX account is set to non-exclusive if you go this route.

Step 4: Pricing and Publishing

Set your audiobook's list price — most retailers will discount from this price. Standard pricing for a full-length audiobook (7+ hours) runs $24.99 to $34.99. Findaway Voices pays monthly for all sales from the previous month.

ACX vs. Findaway Voices: Which Should You Use?

Here's a quick comparison to help you decide:

• Reach: Findaway Voices wins — 40+ platforms vs. ACX's three.
• Royalty rate: ACX exclusive (40%) beats Findaway (80% but only if you're earning enough to justify it). For high Audible performers, ACX exclusive can be lucrative.
• Upfront cost: ACX royalty-share = no upfront cost. Findaway requires you pay narrators directly.
• Flexibility: Findaway wins — no exclusivity lock-in.
• Library distribution: Findaway wins — ACX does not distribute to library systems.

Many successful indie authors use both: ACX non-exclusive for Audible, and Findaway Voices for everything else. This maximizes reach without sacrificing any single revenue stream.

Technical Considerations for Audiobook Production

If you're narrating your own book, here's what you need:

• A quiet recording space: Closets with clothes are excellent — the fabric absorbs echo. Avoid rooms with hard surfaces or ambient noise (HVAC, traffic).
• A quality USB or XLR microphone: The Blue Yeti, Audio-Technica AT2020, and Rode NT-USB are popular choices among self-recording authors.
• Recording software: Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition are the standards. Both allow you to edit out mistakes and apply noise reduction.
• Room treatment: Acoustic panels or foam behind and beside you reduce reflections. This matters more than microphone quality in most home setups.

Reedsy's guide to recording an audiobook at home goes deep on the technical setup and is worth reading before you spend a dollar on equipment.

Before Your Audiobook Launch: Build Your Foundation

An audiobook is only as strong as the book it's based on. Before you invest in narration, production, and distribution, make sure your manuscript is the best it can be. A professional book review gives you third-party validation that your work is ready — and tells you where it still needs polish.

Explore more publishing resources on the Accessory to Success blog. And when you're ready to get expert eyes on your book, order your professional book review today. It's the first investment that pays dividends across every format you publish.

Final Thoughts

The audiobook market rewards authors who show up in it. The production barrier is lower than ever — and the revenue potential is real. Whether you narrate yourself or hire a professional, the key is starting. Choose your platform, understand the trade-offs, and get your book into the ears of readers who may never have opened a page.

The question isn't whether you should have an audiobook. The question is how soon you can launch one.