How to Publish an Audiobook: Every Place to Publish and Distribute Your Audiobook

Finishing your audiobook is half the job. The other half is getting it in front of listeners, and that is where most authors get stuck.

Every platform works differently. Some let you upload your audiobook yourself. Some only take audiobooks through a distributor. Some ask for exclusivity. Some will not accept AI narration at all.

This guide is the map. It covers every major place you can publish and sell an audiobook, explains how each one accepts books, and links to a full step-by-step guide wherever we have one. Use it to decide where your book should go, then click through to the guide for that platform.

If you are still producing the audio, start with the  Narration Box Audiobook Creator . It turns a manuscript into a chapter-based audiobook project from an  EPUB ,  PDF  or  DOCX  file, so the finished chapters are ready to prepare for whichever platform you pick.

Quick answer: the three ways to publish an audiobook

Most authors use one of three setups:

1. Publish directly. Upload to platforms that offer author accounts, such as  ACX for Audible and Amazon ,  Spotify for Authors ,  Kobo Writing Life  and  Google Play Books .
2. Use a distributor. Upload once to a distributor such as Author's Republic or Voices by INaudio (formerly Findaway Voices), and let it send your audiobook to many stores and library systems.
3. Go hybrid. Publish directly on one or two big platforms, then use a distributor for the stores and libraries that do not accept direct uploads.

There is no single right answer. It depends on your rights, your audience, the countries you sell in, your royalty goals and how many accounts you are willing to manage.

Not sure where to start? Pick your route

Not sure the audiobook will pay for itself? Run your numbers through the  Audiobook Profitability Calculator  first.

Retailers, direct publishing platforms and distributors

Audiobook publishing is easier to follow once you split platforms into three groups.

Retailers are where listeners buy, borrow or stream audiobooks. Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Audiobooks.com, Storytel, Chirp, Libro.fm and Everand are all retailers.

Direct publishing platforms let you, the rights holder, upload an audiobook through the retailer's own account system. ACX, Spotify for Authors, Kobo Writing Life and Google Play Books Partner Center are examples. Each has eligibility rules, and not every option is open to every author in every country.

Distributors send one audiobook to many retailers, subscription apps and library systems. They save setup work, but they add another contract, another reporting layer and usually a revenue share. They matter most for platforms with no practical direct upload for indie authors, such as Barnes & Noble, Audiobooks.com, Storytel, Libro.fm, Everand and most library channels.

Publishing an AI-narrated audiobook

If your audiobook uses an AI voice or a cloned voice, check this before you produce it. Platforms fall into three groups:

• Platforms that accept your own AI-narrated file. You upload finished audio and disclose that it uses a synthetic voice. The platform labels the listing.
• Platforms that only offer their own AI voice. The platform generates narration from your ebook itself, so a file you made elsewhere cannot be uploaded.  Audible Virtual Voice  and Google Play's auto-narration work this way.
• Platforms that accept neither. ACX requires human narration unless otherwise authorized and lists unauthorized text-to-speech and AI recordings as prohibited.

Rules change often, so check the current policy for every platform on your list. Our free  Where to Publish AI-Narrated Audiobooks workbook  lists which platform falls into which group, and our guide on  whether voice cloning is allowed for audiobooks  covers the cloned-voice questions. For the Audible side specifically, read  Can you use AI voice for Audible, ACX and Findaway Voices .

Where can you publish an audiobook? Quick comparison

Treat this table as a planning map, not a contract. Policies, royalties, AI rules and upload access change, so confirm the current terms inside each account before you publish.

Part 1: Get your audiobook ready before you publish

Every platform checks your files, cover and metadata. Getting these right once saves you from repeat rejections later.

Audio files

Specs vary by platform, so confirm the exact requirements for each destination. Most will expect you to:

• Export one file per chapter, named in clear chapter order
• Master in WAV, and export MP3 only where the platform asks for it
• Match the required sample rate and bitrate
• Keep loudness (RMS) inside the required range and peaks below the maximum
• Remove background noise and keep volume consistent across chapters
• Keep silence at the start and end of each file within limits
• Add opening and closing credits if required
• Create a retail sample if the platform asks for one

ACX publishes the most detailed specs, and many authors use them as a baseline. Check your files with the free  ACX Compliance Checker , read  ACX audio specs explained , and see our  mastering guide to RMS, LUFS and noise floor . Passing a checker does not guarantee approval, but it removes the most common technical mistakes.

The  Audiobook Creator  is built for long-form projects: chapter organization, paragraph-level fixes, consistent narrators across the whole book, and MP3 or WAV export.

Cover

Audiobook covers are square, high resolution and readable as a small thumbnail. Your ebook cover usually needs to be reworked. Most platforms expect:

• Square artwork at high resolution
• A clear title and author name, plus narrator where requested
• No tiny text that disappears in store listings
• No misleading format labels
• Artwork that matches your metadata

Metadata

Metadata is how stores categorize and sell your book. Mismatched metadata is a common reason for delays and duplicate listings. Prepare these before you open any account:

• Title, subtitle, series name and number
• Author, narrator and publisher
• Description, categories and keywords
• Language and publication date
• Copyright holder and territory rights
• ISBN and edition information, where required

If you use AI narration or a cloned voice, note whether each platform requires disclosure. See  Publishing an AI-narrated audiobook  above.

Part 2: How to publish on each audiobook platform

Each section below gives a short overview. Where we have a full step-by-step guide, it is linked at the end of the section.

Audible and Amazon (ACX)

Audible is Amazon's audiobook store and subscription service. Publishing on Audible usually also puts your audiobook on Amazon product pages.

How to get on it: Most indie authors publish through ACX. You claim your book, add metadata, upload your cover, chapter files and retail sample, choose your distribution terms, and submit for review. ACX access depends on your country, tax and payment setup, and rights ownership. If you cannot use ACX, you will need a distributor that delivers to Audible.

Exclusivity: ACX offers exclusive and non-exclusive distribution. Exclusive pays a higher royalty but stops you from selling the audiobook elsewhere, including Spotify, Kobo, libraries and your own website. Read  Audible exclusive vs wide , work through the  ACX exclusive vs non-exclusive workbook , and see  how Audible royalties work  before you decide.

AI narration: ACX requires human narration unless otherwise authorized. Amazon offers its own  Virtual Voice  for eligible KDP ebooks instead.

Full guide:  How to upload your audiobook on ACX . Also useful:  What happens during ACX review .

Spotify

Spotify now lets authors and publishers upload audiobooks directly through Spotify for Authors, where upload access is available. Many older guides only mention the distributor route, which is still an option if you cannot get direct access or want to reach other stores too.

How to get on it: Set up your Spotify for Authors profile, create the audiobook title, add metadata and rights, upload your cover and audio, set pricing and territories where available, and submit for review. Processing times vary, so upload well before your launch date.

Full guide:  How to upload an audiobook on Spotify . Want a checklist? Get the free  Spotify audiobook publishing checklist .

Apple Books

Apple Books sells audiobooks, but there is no simple author dashboard for audiobook uploads like there is for ebooks. Most indie authors reach Apple Books through an approved distributor or audiobook partner. Publishers with existing delivery access can use Apple's own process.

How to get on it: Choose a distributor that delivers to Apple Books, prepare your audio, cover and metadata to the distributor's specs, set price and territories, and submit. Follow the distributor's requirements rather than copying ACX settings.

Full guide:  How to publish your audiobook on Apple Books .

Google Play Books

Google Play Books lets eligible publishers upload audiobooks through Partner Center. Check that your account has audiobook features enabled before you plan around a direct upload. If it does not, use a distributor that delivers to Google Play.

Google also offers free auto-narrated audiobooks for eligible ebooks. That audio is generated by Google, so it is a separate route from uploading your own narration.

Full guide:  How to publish your audiobook on Google Play Books .

Kobo

Kobo Writing Life is Kobo's self-publishing platform, and it accepts audiobooks directly from eligible authors and publishers. That makes Kobo one of the easiest wide platforms to publish on yourself, and a good fit if you want control outside the Audible ecosystem. Follow Kobo's own audiobook specs rather than assuming ACX settings apply.

Full guides:  Publish your audiobook on Kobo  and  How to publish on Kobo using AI voice cloning .

Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble Press is built for ebooks and print. It has no common self-serve audiobook upload, so most indie authors reach Barnes & Noble Audiobooks through a distributor such as Author's Republic or Voices by INaudio, when B&N is on that distributor's current retailer list.

Send your audiobook to Barnes & Noble through one distributor only. Duplicate feeds cause conflicting metadata, duplicate listings and slow takedowns.

Full guides:  How to publish an audiobook on Barnes & Noble  and  Does Barnes & Noble accept AI audiobooks?

Audiobooks.com

Audiobooks.com is a retail and subscription listening service. It does not offer a common self-serve upload for indie authors, so most reach it through a distributor or publisher.

How to get on it: Upload to a distributor that lists Audiobooks.com as a current partner, select it in your retailer list, pass the distributor's validation, then check the live listing for the correct cover and metadata.

Storytel

Storytel is a subscription audiobook and ebook service with strong reach across Europe and other international markets. It matters most if you hold rights outside the US, or publish in languages other than English.

How to get on it: Most indie authors reach Storytel through a distributor or publisher. Pick a distributor that lists Storytel as a current partner, and confirm territory and language support before you upload.

Chirp

Chirp is BookBub's audiobook deals store. It runs on discounted promotions, not a standard upload-and-go listing. Your audiobook usually needs to reach Chirp through a supported distributor, and deals are selected, not guaranteed. Plan Chirp as a promotion channel alongside your main stores.

Full guide:  Distributing AI audiobooks to Kobo, Apple and Chirp .

Libro.fm

Libro.fm sells audiobooks through independent bookstores, so listeners support a local shop with every purchase. Indie authors usually reach it through a distributor that lists Libro.fm as a partner. After it goes live, check the listing for the correct cover, author, narrator and description.

Everand

Everand is a subscription reading and listening service from the Scribd family. Audiobooks usually reach it through publishers and distributors rather than a direct author upload. Choose a distributor that currently delivers to Everand. Your earnings depend on the distributor agreement and Everand's subscription model.

OverDrive and Libby

OverDrive is the library marketplace. Libby is the app library patrons use to borrow from it. You do not upload to Libby. You get your audiobook into the library supply chain, and patrons can borrow it through Libby once a library buys or licenses it.

How to get in:

1. Upload to a distributor that supplies OverDrive or other library platforms.
2. Provide accurate metadata, categories, pricing and rights.
3. The distributor delivers the title to library marketplaces.
4. Libraries decide whether to buy or license it.
5. Patrons borrow it through Libby if their library adds it.

Library pricing can differ from retail. Models include one-copy-one-user licenses, metered access and cost-per-circulation. Being available to libraries does not mean libraries will buy your book. They choose based on budget, demand, reviews and collection policies.

Full guide: How to get your audiobook into libraries , including Hoopla, library pricing and how to get librarians to add your book.

Other library platforms

OverDrive is the biggest, but not the only one. Hoopla, BorrowBox and cloudLibrary also supply audiobooks to libraries, mostly through distributors. Check which of these your distributor reaches if libraries are part of your plan.

Other subscription apps

Outside the US, subscription apps such as BookBeat and Nextory are popular in parts of Europe. As with Storytel, indie authors usually reach them through a distributor. Check your distributor's partner list and your territory rights.

Selling your audiobook directly

Selling from your own website gives you the biggest share of each sale, direct contact with your readers, and full control over pricing and bundles. Many indie authors use a delivery service such as BookFunnel, or a digital storefront such as Payhip or Shopify, to sell and deliver audiobook files.

Direct sales work best when you already have an email list or an active reader community. They are also off-limits if you choose ACX exclusive, so decide this before you sign.

Want readers to fund the audiobook before it is finished? See how authors use  Kickstarter and Patreon for AI-narrated serialized fiction .

Full guide: How to sell your audiobook directly .

Part 3: Audiobook distributors

Why use a distributor

A distributor lets you upload once and reach many retailers, subscription apps and libraries. It is a good fit when you:

• Want one dashboard instead of an account at every store
• Need stores that do not accept direct uploads
• Want library distribution
• Want wider international reach
• Prefer reporting in one place

The trade-offs:

• A revenue share or fees
• Slower metadata updates
• Less control over each store listing
• Some stores may be missing from the distributor's list
• A risk of duplicate listings if you use more than one distributor for the same store

Author's Republic

Author's Republic is an audiobook distributor that sends titles to retailers, subscription services and library platforms. It works on a revenue share rather than an upfront fee. Check the current share and partner list before uploading.

How it works: Create an account, add metadata, upload your cover and audio, choose territories and stores, confirm rights and payment details, and submit for validation.

It suits authors who want broad reach beyond Audible and Spotify without managing every store themselves.

Voices by INaudio (formerly Findaway Voices)

Findaway Voices was one of the best-known audiobook distributors, and many guides still use the name. The service now operates as Voices by INaudio. It is separate from uploading directly through Spotify for Authors.

How it works: Create an account, add metadata, upload your cover and audio, choose territories and retailers, confirm rights, and submit. Check the current fee model and retailer list, as older Findaway terms may not still apply.

If you already publish directly to a store, deselect that store in the distributor to avoid a duplicate listing.

Compare payouts:  ACX vs Findaway Voices: which pays more?

Part 4: Direct publishing vs distribution

Should you upload directly or use a distributor?

Go direct when you want control and do not mind managing several accounts. Use a distributor when reach and convenience matter more.

Can you publish the same audiobook on multiple platforms?

Yes, as long as your contracts allow it. Check exclusivity terms, territory rights, narration rights, ISBN and edition details, and any overlap between distributors.

The most common mistake is sending the same audiobook to the same store through two routes. Keep a simple distribution map for every title:

Three common setups

1. Direct wherever possible. Upload directly to ACX (non-exclusive), Spotify, Kobo and Google Play. Use a distributor only for Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Audiobooks.com, Storytel, Libro.fm, Everand and libraries. Most control, most accounts.

2. One distributor. Upload once and let one distributor handle every store it supports. Simplest setup, broad reach, less control.

3. Hybrid. Go direct on the two or three platforms that matter most to you, and use a distributor for everything else. This is the most common choice for indie authors who want both control and reach.

Part 5: After you publish

How long does it take for an audiobook to go live?

It depends on the platform, your account, your files and the distributor's queue. None of these timelines is guaranteed, so upload well before your launch date.

Why was my audiobook rejected?

Common reasons include:

• Audio outside loudness or peak limits, or too much background noise
• Too much silence at the start or end of files
• Missing opening or closing credits
• Chapter files that do not match the book's structure
• Cover problems or metadata mismatches
• Territory or rights conflicts, including duplicate distribution feeds
• AI narration policy or disclosure issues

For Audible specifically, read  Why did ACX reject my audiobook? ,  My audiobook was rejected by ACX: what to do next , and the  ACX rejection checklist for AI-narrated audiobooks . Run your files through the  ACX Compliance Checker  before you resubmit.

How to update an audiobook after publishing

Make changes through the same route you used to publish. If you went direct, update the title in that platform's dashboard. If you used a distributor, send the correction to the distributor and wait for it to reach each store.

Typical updates include replacing a chapter file, fixing a missing chapter, correcting metadata or categories, replacing the cover, changing price or territories, and fixing narrator credits. Audio changes take longer than text changes because the files have to be checked again.

For AI-narrated books, see  Fixing an AI audiobook after it is already published .

How to remove an audiobook from a store

Remove it through the same route that delivered it:

• ACX: use your ACX dashboard or contact ACX support, according to your contract
• Spotify for Authors: use the dashboard or support
• Kobo Writing Life: use your Kobo dashboard
• Distributor: request a takedown through the distributor

Takedowns can take time, and listeners who already bought the book may keep access depending on the store.

Launch and market your audiobook

Publishing makes your audiobook available. Marketing gets it heard. Work through the  audiobook launch checklist for indie authors , then read  how to market your audiobook .

Make the audiobook first

Every route in this guide starts with a finished, well-produced audiobook. The  Narration Box Audiobook Creator  turns your manuscript into chapter-based narration you can revise paragraph by paragraph and export as MP3 or WAV. Want the book in your own voice? Try  voice cloning for audiobooks .

Get started for free  or  view pricing .