To publish an audiobook on Amazon, you sign up at ACX.com (the platform where audiobooks are produced and submitted for Audible, Amazon and iTunes), connect your Amazon account, set up your payment and tax details, then either narrate the book yourself or find a narrator. You then upload the finished audio for review and release. If your book is already on Amazon, ACX can use it as the starting point. This guide walks you through the route in order, and tells you which details to confirm on ACX’s own pages, because rules, rates and requirements change.
What ACX is and how it fits together
ACX is the producer side of Audible. It is a marketplace and publishing tool in one. Authors, narrators, literary agents, studio owners, recording engineers and audiobook editors can all use it. Once your audiobook is finished and approved, ACX distributes it through Audible, Amazon and iTunes, so you do not have to submit it to each store separately.
For a beginner, that means you only need to learn one system. You will use it to:
- Claim your book (the one already published on Amazon).
- Choose how the audio gets made: you narrate, or you hire a narrator.
- Upload and submit the finished files.
- Get paid through the bank details you set up in your account.
Before you start: what you need ready
A little preparation saves a lot of back-and-forth. Get these in place first:
- A published book on Amazon. The ACX process is built for authors whose book is already live on Amazon, so you can use your manuscript to create a new channel of income from the same book.
- An Amazon account. Your ACX account is connected to it. If you do not have one, you will create one during sign-up.
- A valid U.S. tax ID. During sign-up you certify your eligibility with a U.S. tax ID. Check ACX’s current eligibility and tax pages to confirm what applies to you.
- Bank details. You will enter your country, account type, bank account number and routing number so you can be paid.
- Your manuscript. Whether you narrate or hire someone, the finished text is what the audio is built from.
Step by step: from manuscript to audiobook
1. Create your ACX account
Go to ACX.com and choose the sign-up button. Sign in with your Amazon account, or create one if needed. Enter your name and identifying information, verify your email address from your inbox, and use the one-time passcode Amazon sends to verify your account.
2. Fill in your profile details
You will be asked for a company name. This appears on your public profile as you publish books, so choose something you are happy to see on your listings. Then pick the category that describes you. Most people starting out choose author. Certify your eligibility with your tax ID, then read and agree to the account holder agreement. It is worth reading that agreement properly using the link provided, since it governs how your audiobook is sold and how you are paid. Save when you are done.
3. Set up payment and tax information
Before you publish, set up how you will be paid: select your country, choose your account type, and enter your bank account and routing numbers. You will also complete a tax interview inside the account. Do this early so it does not hold up your first release.
4. Claim your book and choose how it will be narrated
With your account ready, find your book on ACX and claim it. From there you have two main routes:
- Narrate it yourself if you are comfortable recording and want full control.
- Find a narrator through the marketplace. ACX is where authors in search of narrators meet professional narrators.
The deal terms you choose (such as how a narrator is paid and whether your audiobook is exclusive to Amazon’s stores) affect your earnings. Read ACX’s current terms before you commit.
5. Produce, review and upload
Once the audio is recorded, you review it, request fixes if needed, and upload the final files through ACX. ACX has technical requirements for audio files, so check its current production and audio-quality guidelines before you record, not after. Fixing format problems after a full recording is the most common time-waster for first-time authors.
6. Submit for approval and release
After submission, ACX reviews the audiobook, and once it is approved it goes live across the stores ACX distributes to. Check ACX’s help pages for the current review process and timing.
What to check on ACX’s current official pages
Several details change over time, and you should confirm them directly rather than rely on any guide, including this one. Before you commit money or hours, look up:
| Topic | Why it matters | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty rates and exclusivity | Your earnings depend on the deal type you choose | ACX’s current terms and royalty pages |
| Audio file format and quality rules | Files that miss the requirements are rejected | ACX’s audio submission requirements |
| Review and release timing | Helps you plan a launch date | ACX help centre |
| Eligibility and tax requirements | Determines whether and how you can sign up | ACX sign-up and tax pages |
| Fees or costs of hiring a narrator | Affects your budget | The narrator’s terms and ACX’s payment options |
Tips for a smoother first audiobook
- Do the account setup first. Bank details and the tax interview are easy to forget and can delay payment.
- Decide on your narration route early. Self-narrating saves hiring costs but takes time and a decent recording setup. Hiring saves effort but needs a budget or a royalty arrangement.
- Read the agreement. It is the one document that defines your rights and your payout.
- Plan the launch like a book launch. An audiobook is another channel for the same book, so tell your email list and followers it is available. Our guide to email marketing for beginners covers a simple way to start.
- Give it a home online. A simple page on your own site with listen links helps readers find the audio version. The WordPress Essentials course shows how to build one.
If you also plan to publish a podcast alongside your book, see our walkthrough on how to upload a podcast to Spotify.
Frequently asked questions
How do I publish an audiobook on Amazon?
Sign up at ACX.com with your Amazon account, complete your profile, payment and tax details, then claim your book and either narrate it yourself or hire a narrator. Upload the finished audio and submit it for review. Once it is approved, ACX distributes it through Audible, Amazon and iTunes.
What is ACX and how does it work for publishing audiobooks?
ACX is the producer side of Audible. It connects authors with narrators, supports people who narrate their own books, and also serves agents, studio owners, engineers and editors. You use it to create the audiobook, and it handles distribution to Audible, Amazon and iTunes.
How much do authors earn in royalties on Amazon audiobooks (exclusive vs. non-exclusive)?
Royalty rates and the difference between exclusive and non-exclusive deals are set by ACX and can change, so check its current royalty page rather than relying on a figure from a guide. Your final earnings also depend on the narration arrangement you choose, so read the terms carefully before agreeing.
Do I need an existing ebook or paperback on Amazon before creating an audiobook?
The ACX process is designed for authors whose book is already published and listed on Amazon, and you use that book to create the audiobook. If your book is not on Amazon yet, publish it first, and check ACX’s current eligibility rules for any exceptions.
How long does it take to publish an audiobook on Amazon?
It depends mostly on your own pace: setting up the account, recording or waiting for a narrator, and fixing any issues before submission. After you submit, ACX reviews the audiobook, and its help pages list the current review timing, so check there when planning a launch date.
Ready to go step by step? The Audiobook Publishing on Amazon: A Comprehensive Guide course walks you through the ACX process in short, practical videos. You can try it with the 7-day free trial. Practical skills. One lesson at a time.