Findaway Voices (Spotify for Audiobooks): A Guide for Indie Authors

How indie authors use Findaway Voices to produce and distribute audiobooks wide: narrator marketplace, pricing, distribution reach, and how it compares to ACX.

Findaway Voices is the audiobook production and distribution platform that indie authors use when they want their audiobooks available beyond Audible's walled garden. Now owned by Spotify, Findaway distributes to dozens of retailers, apps, and library platforms — including Spotify's own audiobook catalog — making it the primary wide-distribution option for indie audiobooks in the same way Draft2Digital or IngramSpark handle wide ebook and print distribution.

For authors already going wide with their ebooks, Findaway Voices is the natural audiobook companion. It offers a narrator marketplace for hiring professional narrators, handles the complexity of multi-platform distribution, and doesn't require the years-long exclusivity commitment that ACX's higher royalty tier demands. The platform has evolved significantly since the Spotify acquisition, and its distribution reach is now broader than at any point in its history.

This guide covers how Findaway Voices works, what it costs, where it distributes, and how to think about using it alongside or instead of ACX.

What Findaway Voices is

Findaway Voices launched in 2018 as an indie-focused audiobook production and distribution service, a companion platform to the Findaway distribution network that was already serving publishers and libraries. It was acquired by Spotify in 2022, bringing Spotify's enormous listener base into the distribution equation for indie authors.

The platform serves two functions: it's a narrator marketplace where authors can find and hire narrators for audiobook production, and it's a distribution hub that sends finished audiobooks to a wide network of retail and library platforms. Authors can use either function independently — uploading a pre-produced audiobook for distribution only, or using the marketplace to produce from scratch.

Unlike ACX, which is tightly integrated with Amazon's ecosystem, Findaway Voices is explicitly designed for wide distribution. Its value is breadth — getting your audiobook into places Audible doesn't reach, particularly libraries and newer audio subscription services.

The Spotify acquisition and what it means for authors

When Spotify acquired Findaway in 2022, it signaled Spotify's intent to compete seriously in audiobooks. Spotify subsequently launched its audiobook service, initially bundled with music subscriptions in some markets before expanding its standalone audiobook offering.

For authors on Findaway Voices, the Spotify acquisition means automatic distribution to Spotify's audiobook catalog — a listener base of hundreds of millions of people who now have access to audiobooks through a platform they were already using for music and podcasts. While Spotify audiobook sales are not yet comparable to Audible's volume for most indie authors, the potential reach is significant, and Spotify's catalog continues to grow.

The practical impact of the acquisition on the Findaway Voices platform itself has been relatively gradual — the narrator marketplace, production workflow, and distribution infrastructure remain largely as they were, with Spotify distribution added as a destination.

Findaway Voices distribution reach

One of Findaway's primary advantages over ACX is its distribution width. Where ACX exclusive distribution reaches three destinations (Audible, Amazon, Apple Books), Findaway reaches a much broader list:

Platform	Type	Notes
Spotify	Retail / subscription	Included since the 2022 acquisition
Apple Books	Retail	Ebooks and audiobooks marketplace
Barnes & Noble	Retail	Major US physical and digital retailer
Google Play	Retail	Android ecosystem audiobook store
Libro.fm	Retail / subscription	Independent bookstore-supporting audiobook platform
OverDrive / Libby	Library	Largest library ebook/audiobook distribution network
Bibliotheca	Library	Second major library audiobook network
hoopla	Library	Library platform with instant access (no waitlist)
Downpour	Retail	Audiobooks platform
Storytel	Subscription	Major audiobook subscription service, strong in Europe
Authors Direct	Direct sales	Findaway's own direct-to-reader storefront

Library distribution through OverDrive, Bibliotheca, and hoopla deserves particular attention. Libraries are a significant audiobook market, and library listeners who enjoy a book often purchase the author's subsequent titles at retail. Unlike ebooks, where library royalties through certain programs can be complicated, audiobook library distribution through Findaway is relatively straightforward — you opt in during setup and receive royalties when libraries purchase licenses for your title.

How Findaway Voices works

The workflow on Findaway Voices follows a similar pattern whether you're producing a new audiobook or distributing an already-produced one:

Create an account and add your book's metadata (title, author name, genre, description, cover image)
Choose a production path: use the narrator marketplace, upload your own audio, or indicate you have a pre-produced audiobook
Post a project to the narrator marketplace with your audition script and production requirements
Review auditions from narrators and select the narrator you want to work with
Manage production through the platform — narrators upload completed chapters for your review
Approve the final audiobook after reviewing all chapters
Set distribution preferences — choose which platforms to distribute to and set your retail price
Distribute — Findaway sends your audiobook to all selected platforms

Authors who have already produced an audiobook through another method (including ACX non-exclusive authors who want additional distribution) can use Findaway purely for distribution by uploading their finished audio files.

Narrator marketplace on Findaway Voices

Findaway's narrator marketplace functions similarly to ACX's: you post a project with an audition script, narrators submit samples, and you select from the auditions you receive. The marketplace has grown substantially since launch and includes professional narrators at various experience and price levels.

To attract strong auditions, your project posting should include:

Genre and audience clearly stated
Tone notes — the mood and pacing of your book
Character voice requirements — how many distinct voices, any dialects or accents
Pronunciation guide for any unusual names or terms
Your budget range — narrators self-select based on your PFH rate range

Findaway does not offer a Royalty Share model the way ACX does. All narrator compensation on Findaway Voices is per-finished-hour, which means you pay upfront for production. This is worth knowing before you start — Findaway is not a zero-upfront-cost production path.

Production pricing on Findaway Voices

Narrator rates on Findaway Voices follow per-finished-hour pricing, similar to ACX's PFH model. Rates vary by narrator experience and the complexity of your project:

Narrator Tier	Typical PFH Rate	Notes
Newer / building portfolio	$100–$200 per finished hour	Solid quality, less established track record
Mid-level professional	$200–$350 per finished hour	Experienced narrators with strong reviews
Established / SAG-AFTRA	$350–$500+ per finished hour	High-demand narrators, often with major publisher credits

A standard novel of 80,000–100,000 words produces roughly 8–10 hours of finished audio. At mid-level narrator rates of $250 per finished hour, expect to invest $2,000–$2,500 for a full novel. This is a real cost that should be factored into your publishing budget before committing to audiobook production. The realistic author income breakdown guide can help you think through whether audiobook investment makes sense at your current sales level.

Findaway Voices royalty rates and payment

Findaway Voices pays authors 80% of the net receipts from each platform — the amount the retailer pays Findaway for the sale. What this means in practice depends on the platform:

Retailers who pay Findaway a wholesale price pass that amount to Findaway, which then pays you 80% of it
Library platforms typically pay per-listen or per-checkout rates, not per-unit purchase rates
Spotify's payment model to Findaway (and therefore to authors) is tied to Spotify's own economics, which are still evolving

The 80% net receipts model is generally favorable compared to ACX's 40% exclusive rate on gross sales, though direct comparison is complicated by the fact that ACX exclusive royalties are calculated on a different base than Findaway's net receipts. In practice, authors going wide often find that no single non-Audible platform matches Audible's per-title revenue, but the combined revenue across Findaway's distribution network can be meaningful over time — particularly for series with many titles.

Findaway pays monthly on a rolling basis, with a payment threshold you set during account setup.

Using Findaway Voices alongside ACX

Many authors use both platforms simultaneously. The typical combination is:

ACX non-exclusive for Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books distribution at the 25% royalty rate
Findaway Voices for everything else — Spotify, libraries, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, and other platforms

This combination captures Audible's listener base (the largest single audiobook market) while also reaching the wide distribution network that Findaway offers. The tradeoff vs. ACX exclusive is the lower ACX royalty rate (25% vs. 40%), but for authors who are philosophically committed to wide distribution — or who have seen their ebook wide strategy pay off — the non-exclusive ACX plus Findaway combination is the standard approach.

If you want to evaluate the full comparison before deciding, the ACX audiobook creation exchange guide covers the ACX side of the equation in detail.

Library distribution through Findaway

Library distribution is one of Findaway's clearest advantages over ACX. Through OverDrive (the platform behind the Libby app used by tens of millions of library patrons), Bibliotheca, and hoopla, Findaway authors can get their audiobooks into public library catalogs across the US, UK, Canada, and beyond.

Library audiobook distribution works differently from retail:

OverDrive/Libby: Libraries purchase licenses for your title, which can be either a one-copy-one-patron model or a metered access license (limited checkouts before the license expires and needs renewal). Each purchase is a royalty event.
hoopla: Offers a simultaneous-use model — any library patron can borrow immediately with no waitlist, and Findaway receives a per-checkout payment from hoopla.
Bibliotheca: Similar to OverDrive in model; serves a large network of public libraries.

Library distribution is particularly valuable for nonfiction, self-help, children's, and genre fiction with loyal readerships. Library patrons who love an audiobook series often purchase subsequent titles at retail and recommend the author to other readers.

To opt into library distribution on Findaway Voices, select the library platforms during your distribution setup. Some platforms require you to set library-specific pricing; Findaway guides you through this during the distribution settings step.

Findaway Voices vs. ACX: full comparison

	Findaway Voices	ACX (Exclusive)	ACX (Non-Exclusive)
Distribution reach	40+ platforms including Spotify and libraries	Audible, Amazon, Apple Books	Audible, Amazon, Apple Books
Royalty rate	80% of net receipts	40% of list/sale price	25% of list/sale price
Exclusivity required?	No	Yes — 7 years	No
Narrator marketplace	Yes (PFH only)	Yes (PFH and Royalty Share)	Yes (PFH and Royalty Share)
Royalty Share option	No	Yes	Yes
Upfront cost with narrator	PFH rate to narrator	$0 (Royalty Share) or PFH rate	$0 (Royalty Share) or PFH rate
Library distribution	Yes (OverDrive, Bibliotheca, hoopla)	No	No
Spotify distribution	Yes	No	No
Production management	Yes (in-platform)	Yes (in-platform)	Yes (in-platform)

Who Findaway Voices is best for

Findaway Voices is the better fit when:

You're already going wide with your ebooks and want consistent cross-platform strategy
You want library distribution — OverDrive/Libby is a meaningful market for many genres
You want your audiobook on Spotify, which ACX does not distribute to
You're a series author building catalog across many titles and want no exclusivity constraints
You've already decided against ACX exclusive and want maximum distribution flexibility

ACX remains the better fit when you want to maximize Audible income through the higher exclusive royalty rate and you're comfortable with the seven-year exclusivity window. For most indie authors going wide, the combination of ACX non-exclusive plus Findaway Voices captures both.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Findaway Voices and ACX at the same time? Yes, as long as you choose non-exclusive distribution on ACX. ACX exclusive distribution prohibits distribution through any other platform, including Findaway. With ACX non-exclusive (25% royalty rate), you can simultaneously distribute through Findaway to all its platforms. This is the standard strategy for authors going wide in audio.

Does Findaway Voices require exclusivity? No. Findaway Voices does not require any exclusivity commitment. You can list your audiobook on Findaway and distribute through any other platform simultaneously, including ACX non-exclusive.

How does Findaway Voices pay authors? Findaway pays 80% of net receipts on a monthly basis. You set a payment threshold during account setup (minimum $10 or $25 depending on payment method). Payments are made via direct deposit or PayPal depending on your location and preferences.

What happens to my Findaway titles if Spotify changes direction? This is a reasonable concern given Spotify's history of changing its product strategy. Your audiobook files and metadata remain yours. If Findaway's distribution network changed significantly, you could upload your files to alternative distribution services. Findaway's contracts do not claim ownership of your content.

Is Findaway Voices suitable for short audiobooks or novellas? Yes, though very short audiobooks (under 1 hour) have limited market appeal on most platforms. Some retailers have minimum length requirements for audiobook listings. Check each platform's requirements before producing a very short audiobook specifically for wide distribution.

The bottom line

Findaway Voices is the clearest path to wide audiobook distribution for indie authors. Its combination of narrator marketplace, production management, and multi-platform distribution makes it a capable end-to-end solution. For authors who have committed to a wide publishing strategy — not putting all revenue through Amazon — Findaway belongs in the plan from the start.

The absence of a Royalty Share option means upfront production costs are real, and the decision to produce an audiobook at all should be made with clear eyes about expected return. But for series authors, nonfiction writers with library audiences, and authors building long-term catalog, the investment in wide audiobook distribution through Findaway Voices typically pays off over time.

Once your manuscript is ready, LiberScript handles the ebook and print formatting side — so you can get your ebook and print editions distributed while your audiobook is in production.