Frequently Asked Questions

Contracts and Agreements

There are a few different contracts on ACX. Any advice about how I can best understand them?

We’ve worked hard to make the ACX contracts not only fair, but also as simple and reader-friendly as possible. We also aim to provide a lot of information throughout the ACX website, including this FAQ section, so ACX users understand how Rights Holders and Producers can work together to produce an audiobook. We want to be completely clear who is responsible for what, how you’ll get paid, etc.

In preparing the ACX agreements, we worked with a panel of experts from the publishing industry, which included lawyers and rights executives from some of the world’s largest publishing companies, as well as some from mid-sized publishers, and also some of the leading literary agents in the United States.

How long is the distribution term for my audiobook once it’s done?

Audible will have the right to distribute your audiobook for seven years. (Remember that you can choose an exclusive or non-exclusive distribution option.)

As a Rights Holder, how much will I get paid?

Your income from audiobook sales will depend on how many books you sell. You’ll earn a higher percentage of revenue the more units you sell. ACX also pays higher royalties to Rights Holders that choose exclusive distribution over non-exclusive distribution. And remember, granting ACX exclusive distribution rights will get your book sold on Audible.com, Amazon.com, and iTunes.

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

A Rights Holder’s books sold exclusively through ACX will be available for digital download to consumers on Audible.com, Amazon.com and iTunes.com. These three leading digital retailers in the market reach the vast majority of audiobook buyers.

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

If you, a Rights Holder, choose the non-exclusive distribution option your audiobook can distributed through any retailer. By posting your book on ACX, that means that, if the book is made into an audiobook, the audiobook will, at minimum, be available for digital download to consumers on Audible.com, Amazon.com, and iTunes.com. These three leading digital retailers in the market reach the vast majority of audiobook buyers. If Rights Holders want to distribute their audiobooks outside of Audible.com, Amazon.com, and iTunes.com, then those arrangements must be made independent of ACX.