If your title is still in production, there are scenarios where an ACX audiobook contract between a rights holder and producer can be cancelled.

In this article:

• Cancellation by rights holder
• Cancellation by producer
• Canceling a DIY project
• How do I cancel my audiobook production contract?

Cancellation by rights holder

The rights holder is entitled to terminate the contract under the following scenarios:

First 15 minutes rejected or not delivered - no fee payable by either party to the other:

• Producer fails to deliver the first 15 minutes by the due date, and fails to do so within 48 hours of rights holder’s written request to do so through the ACX messaging system (and sending a copy of the message to info@acx.com).
• Producer fails to submit a revision within the required period.
• Producer submits a revision within the required period, but rights holder rejects the revision within the required period.

Completed audiobook rejected or not delivered:

• Rights holder rejects the completed audiobook after allowing the producer to make revisions based on feedback. The rights holder may terminate the agreement. However, they must pay a cancellation fee to the producer in accordance with Section 8(b) of the ACX Production Standard Terms.
• Producer fails to submit the completed audiobook by the due date and fails to do so within 48 hours of rights holder’s written request to producer to do so through the ACX messaging system (and sending a copy of the message to info@acx.com). No fee or compensation of any kind will be payable by either party to the other.

Note: The rights holder cannot cancel the contract after approving the completed audiobook.

Additional cancellation reasons with no cancellation fee:

• The producer is unable to perform: if the producer is unable to continue production for 20 consecutive business days due to circumstances like incapacity or force majeure, the rights holder can terminate the contract after a 10 business day opportunity for the producer to cure.

Note: If the producer has been unresponsive, visit Issues with producer.

Cancellation by producer

The producer is entitled to terminate the contract under the following scenarios:

First 15 minutes rejected or not delivered - no fee payable by either party to the other:

• Rights holder does not approve the first 15 minutes nor provide feedback within the review period.
• Producer fails to submit a revision within the required period.
• Producer submits a revision within the required period, but rights holder rejects the revision within the required period.

Completed audiobook rejected or not delivered:

• Producer fails to submit the completed audiobook by the due date, and fails to do so within 48 hours of rights holder’s written request to producer to do so through the ACX messaging system (and sending a copy of the message to info@acx.com). No fee or compensation of any kind will be payable by either party to the other.
• Rights holder rejects the completed audiobook. Rights holder must have first provided specific and detailed feedback and requests for changes and corrections. If the revised version is rejected, then rights holder may terminate by payment of a cancellation fee in accordance with Section 8(b) of the ACX Production Standard Terms. 

Additional cancellation reasons with no cancellation fee:

• The rights holder does not provide the manuscript within 3 business days of offer acceptance.
• The provided word count underestimates or overestimates the book length by 20% or more. The producer must provide written notice of termination to the rights holder through the ACX messaging system with copy to info@acx.com no later than the date producer is obligated to deliver the first 15 minutes of the audiobook or the date that is 15 days following the date of the Deal Confirmation Page, whichever is first.

Note: If the rights holder has been unresponsive, visit Issues with rights holder.

Canceling a DIY project

To cancel a DIY project, contact ACX support. We will process your request and notify you when the cancellation of the project has been completed. 

How do I cancel my audiobook production contract?

If the production is still within the contractual due dates, both parties must submit a request to ACX customer service via info@acx.com, to terminate a production agreement with mutual consent. In addition, the contract can be dissolved by one party in the following situations:

• If the production isn't completed by the due date, the rights holder can dissolve the contract after notifying the producer using the ACX message center. If the producer feels the manuscript is significantly different from what was contracted, they should discuss it with the rights holder first.
• As per the Production Standard terms, if the first 15-minute checkpoint file isn't delivered, the contract can be terminated with no cancellation fee. The producer can notify the rights holder using the ACX message center and then contact customer service to request termination.