Frequently Asked Questions

Distribution

Where will my finished audiobook be sold?

If you, the Rights Holder, choose exclusive distribution, then posting your book on ACX means that (if the book is made into an audiobook) the audiobook will, at minimum, be available for digital download to consumers on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, as well as their global partner sites. These three leading digital retailers in the market reach the vast majority of audiobook buyers.

If you choose the non-exclusive distribution option, you can distribute your audiobook to any additional retailers, in digital and/or physical format, on your own.

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How much will my audiobook sell for in stores?

Each retailer of your audiobook independently prices your product and determines such price in their sole discretion. While not always the case, the regular price on Audible.com for the product is generally priced based on its length, as follows:

  • under 1 hour: under $7
  • 1 – 3: $7 - $10
  • 3 – 5 hours: $10 - $20
  • 5 – 10 hours: $15 - $25
  • 10 – 20 hours: $20 - $30
  • over 20 hours: $25 - 35

To be clear, although the above represents general guidelines as retailer of audiobooks sold on Audible.com, Audible retains the sole discretion to set the price of the audiobooks it sells. Additionally, on Audible.com, consumers can buy your audiobook “a la carte” for the above price, but many Audible customers are AudibleListener members who can purchase the audiobook with an Audible “credit” which they get as part of their Audible membership. For more about AudibleListener membership, please check out the Audible.com store. Yes, AudibleListener members end up paying less per audiobook, but they are voracious audiobook consumers who tend to purchase over 17 audiobooks per year from Audible.com. This is much higher than other audiobook customers, who generally purchase just one or two books per year. Please note that we do not, and cannot, control how iTunes prices your audiobook in their store. However, no matter how they price it, you will be paid the same amount as you are for Audible “a la carte” sales (i.e. a percentage of Audible’s “a la carte” price).

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What does "exclusive" actually mean? Who will be selling my book?

Exclusive to ACX means your finished audiobook will be sold only through Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Any audiobook made using ACX will be distributed through these online retailers. Note that Audible has an exclusive relationship with iTunes (i.e. to get your product into iTunes' audiobook store, you have to go through Audible).

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How will my audiobook be sold if I choose the non-exclusive option?

If you choose non-exclusive distribution, your audiobook will be available on Audible's channels, which are currently Audible, Amazon and iTunes., and you will be able to also sell your completed audiobook in other locations, such as in cd or other physical format. For more information, please review the What's the Deal? page.

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How can I get my audiobook on iTunes?

All audiobooks you create through ACX will be sold through iTunes. Audible is the exclusive supplier of audiobooks to iTunes and since ACX is Audible's platform, all audiobooks produced using ACX will go straight to Audible.com as well as iTunes.

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Can I distribute my audiobook on CD?

If you are pursuing other markets and formats outside of ACX, you must choose a non-exclusive distribution contract. ACX does not provide CD creation or distribution services.

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What if I distribute my audiobook outside of these channels?

Please review the terms of the License and Distribution Agreement you've agreed to, granting us either exclusive or non-exclusive distribution of your book. If you have selected an Exclusive distribution contract, you are not permitted to distribute your audiobook outside of Audible, Amazon and iTunes. If you selected a Non-exclusive distribution contract, you may distribute outside of these three channels.

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How can I distribute my audiobooks to libraries or schools?

At this time, ACX does not provide distribution to libraries or schools. However, if you would like to distribute your content through these channels, please enter into a nonexclusive distribution agreement.

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