Making Money Reading Books with Amazon KDP

Have you ever thought of becoming an audiobook narrator? Next time you gorge on a good book, how’d you like to think about converting it into a steady cash flow being a storyteller?

Recently, many people, narrating audiobooks on the Amazon ACX platform, earn as much as $150 an hour. This could be a fun and flexible way to earn money there’s no investment required for a good voice and recording equipment that’s basic. In this guide, I’ll show you how to Making Money Reading Books with Amazon KDP. You’ll learn how to get started, land audiobook narration gigs, and discover a few tricks to maximize your earnings. If you plan a side hustle and one that pays well, this could be a good option.

Want more side hustle ideas? Check out our guide on 99hustle.com for more ways to earn money online!

How to Make Money by Narrating Audiobooks

Audiobook narration is one of the easier ways of making money reading books. with Amazon’s ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), anyone can get started. Whether you have a professional voice or just love storytelling, you can turn this skill into a high-paying side hustle.

In this section, I’ll guide you on how to earn money narrating audiobooks, covering everything from selecting the right books to producing high-quality audio and submitting your work for approval.

1. Finding Books That Match Your Voice and Style

Not all books are the same, and not all voices fit every book. To maximize your chances of getting selected, choose books that match your natural tone and style.

Types of Books and Matching Voice Styles:

Book Genre	Best Voice Style
Fiction Novels	Expressive, engaging, storytelling
Non-Fiction	Clear, professional, authoritative
Self-Help & Motivational	Confident, warm, inspiring
Children’s Books	Energetic, fun, animated
Thrillers & Horror	Deep, suspenseful, dramatic

How to Choose the Right Books on ACX:

• Go to ACX.com and browse available projects.
• Filter by genre, word count, and pay rate.
• Listen to other audiobook samples to see if your voice fits the genre.
• Apply for books where your voice naturally fits the content.

2. Setting Up Your Recording Space

To make money reading books, your recordings need to be crisp, clear, and free from background noise.

What You Need for a Professional Setup:

Equipment	Recommended Option
Microphone	Blue Yeti, Rode NT1-A
Headphones	Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
Recording Software	Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition
Quiet Space	Use a closet or soundproof room

Tips for Better Audio Quality:

• Record in a quiet room – Background noise can get your recording rejected.
• Use a pop filter – Reduces harsh breathing and popping sounds.
• Speak naturally and slowly – Don’t rush the narration.
• Take breaks – Reading for hours can strain your voice.

3. Recording Yourself Reading Books

Now that your setup is ready, it’s time to start recording your first audiobook!

Step-by-Step Recording Process:

1. Read the script out loud first – Get familiar with the content.
2. Warm up your voice – Drink warm tea and do vocal exercises.
3. Start recording in a quiet space – Make sure there’s no background noise.
4. Speak clearly and naturally – Imagine you’re telling a story to a friend.
5. Use expressive tones – Especially for fiction books with dialogue.
6. Take breaks every 20–30 minutes – Avoid straining your voice.
7. Listen back and edit mistakes – Remove pauses, breaths, and background noise.

4. Editing and Improving Audio Quality

Editing is just as important as recording. Even if your voice is great, bad audio quality can get your audiobook rejected.

How to Edit Your Audiobook Like a Pro:

• Remove background noise – Use noise reduction tools in Audacity.
• Cut out mistakes and long pauses – Keep the narration smooth.
• Normalize the audio levels – Make sure the volume is consistent.
• Add slight compression – This makes your voice sound professional.

Best Free & Paid Editing Software:

• Audacity (Free & beginner-friendly)
• Adobe Audition (Advanced & professional)
• GarageBand (Mac users)

5. Submitting Your Audiobook to the Author

Once your recording is edited and polished, it’s time to submit your audiobook for approval.

How the Submission Process Works:

1. Upload your final edited file on ACX.com.
2. The author or publisher reviews the recording.
3. If approved, the audiobook goes live on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
4. You start earning money once people buy and listen to it!

How Long Does Approval Take?

1. Small projects (short books) – 1-2 weeks.
2. Full-length audiobooks – Up to 30 days.

6. How to Get More Audiobook Offers on ACX

Once you’ve completed your first few projects, you’ll want to get more audiobook narration gigs.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Hired:

• Build a Strong ACX Profile – Include your best voice samples.
• Choose Books with High Demand – Non-fiction, self-help, and business books are popular.
• Get Great Reviews – Authors prefer narrators with positive feedback.
• Market Yourself on Social Media – Share your audiobook projects to attract more clients.
• Network with Authors – Many authors have many books that need narration.

What is Amazon KDP and ACX?

If you want to make money reading books, you need to understand two key platforms—Amazon KDP (and ACX (Audiobook Creation) Exchange). These platforms allow authors to self-publish books and turn them into audiobooks. creating an opportunity for narrators like you to earn money. Amazon KDP – The Gateway to Self-Publishing

Amazon KDP is a platform that allows anyone to publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers on Amazon.

How Does Amazon KDP Work?

1. Authors Write and Upload Books – Writers create their books and upload them to KDP.
2. Amazon Lists the Books for Sale – The books are available on Kindle and print formats.
3. Readers Buy the Books – Customers buy eBooks or physical copies.
4. Authors Earn Royalties – Authors receive a percentage of each sale.

How is This Connected to Audiobook Narration?

Many KDP authors want to convert their books into audiobooks to reach a wider audience. Authors often hire professional or freelance narrators to read their books aloud and create audiobooks.

What is ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange)?

ACX is Amazon’s audiobook production platform. It connects:

Authors and publishers who want their books narrated. 🎙️ Narrators and voice actors who can record and produce audiobooks.

How ACX Works for Narrators

1. Create a Free ACX Account – Sign up as a narrator on ACX.com.
2. Browse Available Books – Look for books that need a narrator.
3. Audition for Narration Gigs – Record a sample of the book and submit it.
4. Get Selected & Start Recording – If chosen, you’ll narrate the full book.
5. Submit the Final Audio – Deliver high-quality, error-free narration.
6. Earn Money! – Get paid through royalties or per-hour rates.

Why is ACX a Great Side Hustle?

✔ No writing required – You don’t need to create content, just read. ✔ Flexible work – Choose when and how much you work. ✔ Scalable income – You can narrate multiple books at once. ✔ No special degree needed – Anyone with a good voice can start.

Want to learn more about ACX? Visit ACX.com to explore audiobook narration opportunities!

How ACX Converts eBooks into Audiobooks

When an author wants an audiobook version of their KDP book, they use ACX to find a narrator. The process goes like this:

Step 1: The author lists their book on ACX and opens auditions for narrators.

Step 2: Narrators audition by recording a sample reading of the book.

Step 3: The author selects a narrator and agrees on payment terms.

Step 4: The narrator records and submits the full audiobook.

Step 5: Once approved, the audiobook is sold on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

Step 6: The narrator gets paid!

How Narrators Get Paid on ACX

There are two main payment options for narrators:

1. Per-Finished-Hour (PFH) Rate – You get a fixed amount per completed hour of narration.

2. Royalty Share – You earn a percentage of the audiobook’s sales.

The Connection Between KDP and ACX

Amazon KDP is where authors publish books, and ACX is where those books are turned into audiobooks. The more books that are published on KDP, the more opportunities exist for narrators on ACX.

This means a growing demand for audiobook narrators! If you want to make money reading books, ACX is one of the best ways to do it.

Ready to get started? Sign up on ACX.com today and start your audiobook narration journey!

How to Make Money by Narrating Audiobooks

Finding Books That Match Your Voice and Style

Before you start recording, find books that match your voice and tone.

• Fiction books often need expressive storytelling.
• Non-fiction books are usually straightforward and professional.
• Children’s books need animated and engaging voices.

Recording Yourself Reading Books

To succeed, your audio quality must be crystal clear.Invest in:

A good microphone (Blue Yeti or Rode NT1-A)

A quiet room (use soundproofing foam if possible)

Editing software (Audacity or Adobe Audition)

Submitting Your Audiobook to the Author

Once you’ve recorded, submit your final audiobook to the author for approval. A polished recording increases your chances of getting more gigs!

Getting Started with ACX

If you’re excited about the idea of making money reading books, the first step is setting up your account on ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange). ACX is Amazon’s official platform that connects authors, publishers, and audiobook narrators. It’s where you’ll find thousands of books waiting to be transformed into audiobooks.

Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you start your audiobook narration journey:

1. Creating Your ACX Account

Setting up your ACX account is easy and free. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Go to ACX.com – Visit ACX.com and click on Sign Up.
2. Choose ‘Narrator’ as Your Role – During registration, select that you want to narrate audiobooks.
3. Use Your Amazon Account – Since ACX is part of Amazon, you can sign up with your existing Amazon credentials or create a new account.
4. Set Up Your Profile – Add details about your voice type, accents, and experience. You’ll also need to set your payment preference (per-hour rate or royalty share).
5. Complete Tax and Payment Information – Fill out the necessary tax forms so you can get paid. If you’re in the United States, you’ll need to provide a W-9 tax form.

Tip: Even if you have no experience, a well-detailed profile can help you stand out to authors looking for new talent.

2. Understanding How ACX Works

ACX is designed to connect authors and publishers with audiobook narrators. Here’s how the platform works once you’ve set up your account:

1. Authors and publishers post audiobook projects.
2. Narrators (you) audition for these projects by submitting a short recording.
3. If selected, you narrate and produce the audiobook using your own recording setup.
4. Once approved, the audiobook is published on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
5. You get paid based on your chosen payment model.

There are two ways to earn money on ACX:

• Per-finished-hour rate – You get paid a fixed amount per completed hour of narration.
• Royalty share – You split the audiobook sales revenue with the author.

Tip: If you’re new, consider working on royalty-share projects to start building experience.

3. Setting Up Your Home Recording Studio

To succeed as an audiobook narrator, you need clear, professional-quality audio. You don’t need an expensive studio—just a quiet space and some basic equipment.

Essential Equipment for ACX Narrators:

• Microphone – A good USB microphone like the Blue Yeti or an XLR mic like Rode NT1-A is ideal.
• Headphones – Use closed-back headphones like Audio-Technica ATH-M50x to monitor your recordings.
• Recording Software – Free software like Audacity or paid options like Adobe Audition.
• Soundproofing – Use foam panels, blankets, or record in a small, quiet space.

Tip: Before you audition, record a few practice sessions to fine-tune your sound. ACX has strict audio quality standards, so make sure your recordings are clear and professional.

4. Navigating ACX University for Free Training

If you’re new to audiobook narration, ACX University is a free training resource that provides helpful guides, videos, and expert tips.

What You’ll Learn in ACX University:

• How to improve your voice for narration.
• Best recording and editing techniques.
• How to market yourself and get more audiobook projects.

Tip: ACX University is completely free, and even experienced narrators use it to refine their skills. You can access it at ACX University.

5. Creating a Strong ACX Profile

Your ACX profile is your online resume. A well-optimized profile will help authors choose you for their audiobooks.

Key Elements of a Strong ACX Profile:

1. Profile Picture – Use a clear, professional-looking photo.
2. Voice Description – Mention your voice tone, accents, and strengths.
3. Audio Samples – Upload at least two high-quality recordings showcasing your narration style.
4. Languages & Accents – If you can narrate in different languages or accents, list them!

6. Auditioning for Audiobook Projects

Once your profile is ready, it’s time to start auditioning for books.

How to Find and Select Books to Narrate:

• Go to the ACX ‘Find Titles Open for Audition’ page.
• Use filters – Search by genre, accent, length, and payment type.
• Select a book that matches your voice style.
• Download the sample script and record your audition.
• Upload your sample and submit it to the author for review.

What Makes a Good Audition?

• Speak clearly and confidently.
• Maintain consistent pacing and tone.
• Cut background noise.

7. Completing Your First Audiobook Project

Once you land a project, follow these steps:

• Communicate with the author – Understand their expectations and preferences.
• Record the audiobook in high quality – Follow ACX’s technical requirements.
• Edit and master your audio – Remove mistakes, background noise, and adjust volume levels.
• Submit your completed audiobook – Once the author approves it, the book goes live on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
• Get paid!

Ready to start? Sign up today on ACX.com and begin your audiobook narration journey!

Want more side hustles? Check out 99Hustle.com for more ways to make money online!

How Much Money Can You Make?

Payment Structure: Royalties vs. Per-Hour Rates

ACX pays narrators in two ways:

1. Per-finished-hour rate – You get paid a fixed amount per completed hour of narration.
2. Royalty Share – You split audiobook sales revenue with the author.

Earnings Breakdown:

• Beginners: $50 to $100 per finished hour
• Experienced Narrators: $200 to $400 per finished hour
• Top Performers: $1000+ per audiobook

Affiliate Marketing with ACX

Did you know you can make money with ACX without narrating?

Amazon’s ACX Bounty Program allows you to refer new Audible subscribers and earn up to $55 per referral.

How to Promote ACX as an Affiliate:

• Share your referral link on social media, blogs, or YouTube.
• Recommend popular audiobooks to your audience.
• Write reviews about audiobook narration as a side hustle.

Conclusion

Making money with Amazon KDP and ACX is a fantastic side hustle that doesn’t require writing skills. You can earn a lot of money with little investment by narrating audiobooks or through referrals.

🚀 Ready to start? Sign up on ACX.com today!

For more side hustle ideas, check out 99Hustle.com!