However, the big difference between KDP Select and ACX exclusivity is the length of the exclusivity period.

Note: if you choose to produce your audiobook under a royalty-share model with the narrator on ACX, you will automatically be enrolled in the exclusivity option - and will not be able to get out of it unless you “buy out” your narrator. This allows you to distribute your audiobook elsewhere in any form you want but your royalty rate will only be 25% of the list price on ACX. In exchange for your exclusivity, ACX pays you a royalty rate of 40% of the list price. This option prevents you from distributing or selling your audiobook through any other channel - whether that’s another retailer, a subscription service, directly on your website, or even in physical CD form. Much like Kindle Direct Publishing and its KDP Select scheme, ACX offers authors two options for distribution:

For a long time, it was the only option available to indie authors looking to publish their audiobooks, and it is still one of the most widely used distribution services.Īs opposed to the other distributors we’ll explore later, ACX only distributes to three main outlets: Audiobook distribution through ACX: higher royalties on AudibleĪCX (Audiobook Creative Exchange) is Audible’s self-serve production and distribution service.

Audio books sale