Has anyone used Audio Book Creation Exchange (ACX)?

I've been considering turning my short story collection, book of poems and intellectual property book into audiobooks for some time. Recently I found information on ACX, which appears to be an Amazon/Audible joint venture and was wondering whether anyone here has specific information or prior dealings with them.

They allow self-produced books to be sold under upfront fee and royalty split arrangements (both exclusive and non-exclusive deals). If I read their promotional materials correctly, one can even do a 50% royalty split with a producer who has the responsibility of hiring and paying for the voice talent, recording the book and  getting the final product approved by the author. I'm considering the latter arrangement for my short story collection--either for the current edition or an expanded third edition I hope to complete some time next year (the other two I would record and produce myself for a higher royalty as I don't need voice talent for those projects). I don't mind royalty split arrangements but will not pay for anyone to do the project independently--whether established company or fly by night operator since this is not a vanity project for me and I am as unwilling as ever to pay for marketing support or to do any heavy lifting myself; and as we all know with rare, niche exceptions, indie books without advertising will generally sell about as well as yesterday's newspaper. I trust the collective wisdom of this group (on issues other than politics ) and would appreciate your feedback.

Bottom line, I am comfortable dealing an Amazon/Audible partnership and would even consider their exclusive seven-year distribution deal on principle--though I have not read the actual contract yet. But, unlike a traditional publisher that offer significant marketing resources for their lion's share of the profits on traditional and audiobook deals, ACX, like Amazon, CreateSpace et. al., will simply list the book on Audible and make it available for the iPad, etc., but will not advertise it any more than does Amazon, leaving the author to do the heavy lifting as well. Because this is a narrower market not as yet overwhelmed by a glut of free offerings, though, it may still be profitable--especially given the increasing number of libraries that offer audiobook downloads alongside ebook offerings. Any thoughts?

(Note: Please don't respond with book production offers from your company if you're in that business--I've seen those, and I am NOT interested. I want information only about ACX or COMPARABLE, ESTABLISHED companies that offer no-cost options to authors. Thanks.)

I've been studying ACX.  I know authors who use it and are satisfied.  I have a profile started for narration and thought I'd start by narrating Ghost Orchid.  Now it seems more important than ever to do that with my publisher closing. 

Marketing is always a bummer.  The best is to get a contract with someone like Cracker Barrel or with truck stops. 

I don't see much to lose...and it is a "start up" sort of opportunity.  I was a member of the old "Amazon Shorts" and they were well advertised by Amazon.  I thought that was a great program - that they dumped.  Kindle shorts are the replacement, but not as much fun.

Victor,

Go for it, little brother  and let us know if you like it.

Thanks, D.K. and Alice. I'm still mulling it over. I just put up the information from my Book of Dreams 2e and will audition voice talent--assuming there are people interested in taking on the project on a royalty split basis.

DK, Do you mean getting Cracker Barrel or truck stops to stock your audio books? 
Love.
Betty

Yes -

And Victor, I'm considered "voice talent" but I don't think I would do justice to your poems.  You can here my voice in an interview if you wish.

D.K. You have a wonderful and distinctive voice. My book of poems, if I can find the time, I'll eventually read myself. Likewise my intellectual property book. I just need to soundproof my study to make it possible to set up a working studio--not an easy undertaking. The short stories are for the most part written in a male first person or omniscient narrator perspective. But a few have multiple characters that require a performer who can affect different accents (e.g., NY, Boston, Southern) and a credible indication of male and female voices. In my ACX listing, I asked for a male voice due to the predominance of male characters and narrators in my stories (several have prominent female characters, but most are written from a male perspective). But I am open to either. Whether anyone will audition for the 50% royalty split option (I am not willing to pay up front for a narrator to produce the recording) is something else altogether.  This seems to me a very good idea for unestablished actors between gigs. But I'll see what develops.