Find projects that intrigue you, and audition! ACX was designed for entrepreneurial types, and we want you to take advantage of the opportunities. You may also get messages from a Rights Holder asking you to audition for their book, if you upload voice samples that you tag on your profile.
To submit an audition:
It’s easy to upload an audition.
You’re going to spend many hours on this project—reading the entire book, preparing to narrate it, recording it, possibly editing it, and doing the quality control, too (unless you subcontract a separate editor or QC person). So, choose a book that you’ll enjoy reading. If you enjoy reading Science Fiction, then seek out Sci-Fi titles on ACX. Oh, and don’t be embarrassed to take on a romance novel—they’re fun to narrate.
Tip for audiobook producers about narration: If you’re a little less confident about your acting chops, start out by choosing a nonfiction project. Nonfiction generally doesn’t require as many different character voices and emotional ranges as fiction does.
Most importantly, make sure you have strong audiobook samples uploaded on your profile. Those are used to connect narrators with titles. So don’t just state in your profile that you have great pacing for a thriller or mystery novel; show this to rights holders with a sample of you reading a compelling mystery novel. You can upload as many samples as you want. Just be sure to give each one a specific, succinct, and descriptive label.
Tip on recommendations: Once you have twenty-five audiobooks available for sale on Audible.com—whether created on ACX or not—apply to become Audible Approved. This badge of honor will be visible on your ACX profile, and you can also use it to promote yourself on your own social network sites.
This is where your profile—and especially your audio samples—comes into play. The audiobook samples you upload are especially important. So don’t just list in your profile that you can do a great French accent—upload a sample that shows how fabulous that accent is, and label it descriptively. Or, if you haven’t had the chance to use a particular skill yet in an audiobook, create a new sample to show off. This flexibility is one reason why ACX allows for unlimited sample uploads. Having robust samples will provide you with the best opportunity to be found by someone on ACX that is trying to make an audiobook. Also, focus on your audiobook experience, not just your general acting experience. List how many audiobooks you’re narrated and/or produced. List any Audie nominations or Earphone awards, too.