This article is for you if you’re working directly with the Rights Holder (RH), usually the author, and want the RH to upload the files.
First, be aware that ACX isn’t the only way the author can distribute her audiobook to Audible. She could choose any distributor she wants.
With a membership to NarratorsRoadmap.com, she could review my Audiobook Distributor Comparison Chart, which compares 9 distributors across over 30 categories!
Of course, the RH could choose to distribute through ACX for many reasons. However, they may not realize that that they can contract with a narrator outside of the system.
If you accept an ACX offer from a RH, you will be responsible for uploading the files.
If you want the RH to perform that task instead of you, you would need to negotiate with the RH for them to do it. Once they agree, decline the offer.
Then, you would need a to create a contract outside of ACX. You’ll find contract templates on the Welcome Center page.
I would specify payment details in the contract:
- I ask new clients to pay 50% of the fee as a non-refundable deposit after they approve the 15-minute checkpoint file.
- Once I submit the full, retail-ready audiobook to them, I send an invoice for the remaining balance.
- Payment is due upon receipt of the invoice.
- The final invoice is based on actual finished time and may differ from my estimate.
- I would withhold the credits and retail sample until the invoice is paid.
You would proceed with recording, editing, proofing, and mastering the audio. You would share the retail-ready recordings with the author via Dropbox or any other file transfer service you want to use.
The RH can upload the files as a DIY project. This ACX help page lists the steps.
Other resources on this topic:
- Members can watch my webinar Public Domain Audiobooks and Self-Publishing linked in Videos Courses under the Webinars tab. I take you through the entire process of claiming a book on ACX and creating the listing so that it is ready for file upload.