Audiobook Income Academy Review: Should You Join?

After years of hustling through every side gig imaginable-affiliate marketing, dropshipping, freelancing, you name it-I finally cracked the code to building a full-time, six-figure income online. But before I found my stride as an internet entrepreneur, I was just like many others: constantly searching for the next big thing that could turn my spare hours into real, sustainable income. That journey taught me to separate hype from substance and to recognize what truly works in the ever-evolving world of online business.

With that experience under my belt, I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities and honest ways to diversify my income streams. So when I started hearing buzz about Audiobook Income Academy-a course promising to help anyone launch a profitable audiobook publishing business on Amazon-I was intrigued, but also skeptical.

In this review, I’ll share my candid, firsthand impressions of the program: what it offers, who it’s really for, and whether it lives up to the hype from the perspective of someone who’s seen both the pitfalls and the potential of making money online.

What is Audiobook Income Academy?

After spending years testing every online side hustle under the sun, I’ve seen plenty of “revolutionary” ways to make money online. Audiobook Income Academy (AIA) is one of the more talked-about programs lately, and it promises to teach you how to build a profitable publishing business by creating and selling audiobooks, e-books, and print books on Amazon’s platforms-mainly Audible and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).

The course is structured as a seven-week program, packed with over 40 hours of video content and a private community for support. AIA walks you through the entire process: getting your mindset right, picking a profitable niche, setting up your Amazon accounts, outsourcing the writing and narration (so you don’t have to write or record anything yourself), launching your books, and running Amazon ads to drive sales.

The business model is pretty hands-off if you want it to be. You’ll hire ghostwriters, narrators, and designers to produce your books, then publish and promote them for royalties. The idea is to create a portfolio of books that generate passive income over time. However, it’s important to know that there are real costs involved: expect to invest $500–$1,000 per audiobook for outsourcing, on top of the course fee.

AIA’s marketing makes it sound easy and passive, but in reality, the audiobook publishing space is competitive and requires both upfront investment and ongoing effort to see results.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Who Created Audiobook Income Academy?

AIA was created by Rasmus and Christian Mikkelsen, better known as the Mikkelsen Twins. They’ve built a brand around self-publishing success and have been teaching these methods for several years. According to their story, they made tens of thousands of dollars publishing audiobooks on Amazon before pivoting to coaching and course creation.

Their reputation is a mixed bag. On one hand, they’ve helped a lot of people get started with self-publishing, and their courses are well-produced and comprehensive. On the other hand, there’s controversy: the twins have been banned from selling books on Amazon after allegedly violating publishing policies, including using automated translation tools on their books. Some critics also point out their aggressive marketing tactics and suggest that their income now comes primarily from selling courses rather than publishing books themselves.

So, while they clearly know the mechanics of the publishing business, it’s worth considering both the positive testimonials and the red flags before jumping in.

Who is Audiobook Income Academy For?

Having tried just about every online business model, I can say AIA isn’t for everyone. Here’s who will get the most out of it:

• You’re willing to invest both time and money upfront. The course itself is a significant investment, and you’ll need additional capital for ghostwriters, narrators, and ads.
• You want a relatively hands-off business model. If you like the idea of outsourcing most of the work-writing, narration, cover design-this approach fits.
• You’re comfortable with risk. The publishing market is saturated and competitive, so there’s no guarantee your books will sell or that you’ll recoup your investment.
• You’re interested in building a long-term, scalable online income stream, not just chasing a quick buck.

On the flip side, if you’re looking for a truly passive, “set it and forget it” business, or if you’re not prepared to invest several thousand dollars before seeing results, this probably isn’t the right fit. It’s also not for anyone who expects overnight success or isn’t willing to learn the ropes of online marketing and Amazon’s publishing ecosystem.

In short, AIA is best suited for self-starters who want to leverage outsourcing to build a digital publishing business-and who understand that, like any real business, it comes with both risks and rewards.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How is Audiobook Income Academy Structured?

As someone who’s taken more than my share of online courses, I appreciate when a program is actually well-organized and walks you step-by-step through the process. Audiobook Income Academy is definitely comprehensive in that regard. The course is broken down into multiple modules, each focusing on a critical part of building your publishing business. Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll find inside:

• Module 1: The Foundation
  Covers mindset, setting expectations, budgeting, profitability, and how to avoid account termination.
• Module 2: Getting Started
  Walks you through setting up your business structure, KDP, and ACX accounts.
• Module 3: Keyword Research
  Teaches you how to find profitable book topics and niches.
• Module 7: Best-Selling Book Cover Creation
  Guides you through designing and outsourcing professional book covers.
• Module 8: Editing and Formatting
  Focuses on proofreading, editing, checking for plagiarism, and professional formatting.
• Module 9: Building Your Automated Review System
  Covers list building, outsourcing book descriptions, and copywriting.
• Module 11: Publishing to KDP
  Details the publishing process for eBooks and paperbacks, pricing strategies, and running promotions.
• Module 12: Amazon Advertising
  Teaches you how to set up, run, and optimize Amazon ads to drive book sales.
• Module 13: Creating Your Audiobook
  Explains the ACX platform, finding narrators, and producing high-quality audiobooks.
• Module 14: Getting Reviews for KDP and ACX
  Strategies for assembling launch teams and getting real, reliable reviews.
• Module 16: Expanding to Other Platforms
  Shows you how to publish on IngramSpark and Draft2Digital for broader reach.
• Bonus Content:
  Includes lessons on using Author Central, getting into more book categories, and maximizing ACX earnings.

On top of the core modules, you get access to live Q&A call replays, a private Facebook group for networking and support, and a library of templates and scripts to speed up your workflow.

Are Audiobook Income Academy Students Getting Results?

One thing I always look for in a course is real student feedback and evidence of success. AIA does showcase testimonials, and there’s a large private Facebook group where students share their wins and struggles. Some students report publishing multiple books and earning royalties, with a handful even claiming to hit four- and five-figure monthly incomes. The community aspect is strong, and there are plenty of posts celebrating milestones like “first sale” or “first $1,000 month”.

However, the results are mixed. While some students clearly find success, others mention struggling to break even, especially after factoring in the costs of outsourcing and advertising. There are also a few complaints about customer support and the reality that this business model is far from “set it and forget it.” The most vocal success stories tend to come from those who treat it like a real business and are willing to reinvest profits and keep learning.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Much Does Audiobook Income Academy Cost?

Let’s talk numbers, because this is a serious investment. Audiobook Income Academy currently costs $1,997 as a one-time payment, or you can opt for three monthly payments of $797 (which totals $2,391 if you go the installment route). The Mikkelsen twins sometimes offer PayPal credit as a financing option.

But that’s just the course fee. You’ll also need to budget several hundred to a few thousand dollars for outsourcing writing, narration, cover design, and running ads. Realistically, you’re looking at an upfront investment of at least $2,500–$5,000 to get your first few books published and promoted.

As for refunds, there’s a 24-hour full refund window. Beyond that, they offer a “profit guarantee”: if you complete the course, attend at least two coaching sessions, and publish at least one book (audio and eBook), but don’t make $5,000 in 180 days, you can request a refund and get an extra $1,000 on top. Of course, you have to meet all their requirements to qualify for this guarantee.

Bottom line: AIA is a legitimate, in-depth program, but it’s not cheap-and it’s not risk-free. If you’re serious about building a publishing business and have the capital to invest, it could be a worthwhile path. Just go in with your eyes open about the costs and effort involved.

Praises For Audiobook Income Academy

Over the years, I’ve seen plenty of online courses come and go, but there are a few things about Audiobook Income Academy (AIA) that genuinely stand out and deserve some recognition:

• Comprehensive, Step-by-Step Training
  The course is impressively thorough, with over 40 hours of video content broken down into clear modules. It walks you through every aspect of building an audiobook publishing business-from mindset and niche research to marketing and scaling. I found the structure easy to follow, and it’s paced in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you but also doesn’t leave you feeling shortchanged.

• Done-For-You Templates and Resources
  AIA provides a generous suite of templates-21 in total-including scripts, outlines, and checklists. These resources save a ton of time and help streamline the process, especially if you’re new to publishing or outsourcing work.

• Active Private Community
  Access to the private Facebook group is a huge plus. The community is active and supportive, with students sharing tips, results, and motivation daily. For me, being able to network with other entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences has always been one of the most valuable parts of any course.

• Live Coaching and Support
  Weekly live sessions and one-on-one coaching are available, which is rare for online courses in this price range. This ongoing support can make a big difference, especially when you hit inevitable roadblocks or need feedback on your strategy.

• Potential for Passive Income
  The business model itself is appealing: do the work once (or outsource it), and potentially earn royalties for years to come. Compared to other Amazon business models like FBA, the startup costs are much lower, and you don’t have to deal with inventory or shipping.

• Profit Guarantee
  The 180-day profit guarantee is a bold promise. If you complete all the steps and don’t make at least $5,000 in six months, the twins claim they’ll refund your course fee and give you an extra $1,000. While there are hoops to jump through, it’s still a level of accountability that most courses don’t offer.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Criticisms For Audiobook Income Academy

Of course, no course is perfect-and AIA comes with its fair share of drawbacks and controversies that you need to be aware of before making an investment:

• High Upfront and Ongoing Costs
  While the course fee is already steep at $1,997, the real costs add up fast. Outsourcing quality writing, narration, cover design, and running ads can push your startup costs into the $5,000–$10,000 range before you see any returns. This is a lot more than what’s often suggested in the marketing.

• Overhyped and Aggressive Marketing
  The Mikkelsen twins are relentless with their advertising, and their marketing can come across as overly hyped. They often pitch the business model as “new” and “easy,” downplaying the competition and the work involved. Some of their claims about income potential and market saturation are exaggerated, which can set unrealistic expectations for new students.

• Credibility and Transparency Issues
  There are legitimate questions about the twins’ own publishing success. Despite their backstory, it’s tough to find concrete proof of their earnings or examples of their published books. There are also reports that they’ve been banned from Amazon for breaking terms of service, which raises concerns about the sustainability and ethics of their methods.

• Market Saturation and Increased Competition
  The course has been around for a few years, and as more people jump in, the competition on Amazon-especially for audiobooks-has increased. Strategies that may have worked well a few years ago are now less effective, and the market is much more crowded than the sales pitch lets on.

• Refund Policy Fine Print
  The advertised refund policy sounds generous, but in practice, it requires you to complete the entire course, attend live coaching, and publish a qualifying audiobook. Some students have reported difficulties or delays in actually getting their money back, and the process can be frustrating if you’re not satisfied with the program.

• Mixed Student Results
  While there are some impressive testimonials, most of the big success stories come from students who have published dozens of books and stuck with the program for years. For the average person, breaking even-let alone making significant profit-can take much longer than expected, and there’s no guarantee of success.

Should You Join Audiobook Income Academy?

As someone who’s built a six-figure income online and tested just about every side hustle and business model out there, I always look at new opportunities with a healthy dose of skepticism and a sharp eye for both risk and reward. Audiobook Income Academy (AIA) is a legitimate, comprehensive course that teaches you how to create and sell audiobooks and other books on Amazon for royalty income. The training is well-structured, the community is active, and the support is solid-these are all big positives in my book.

But here’s the reality: this business model isn’t as passive or easy as the marketing suggests. The upfront investment is significant-not just the $1,997 course fee, but also the thousands you’ll likely spend on outsourcing, cover design, and advertising before you see any real returns. The audiobook publishing space is getting more competitive by the day, and most of the big success stories come from people who’ve published dozens of books and stuck with it for years. If you’re looking for a true “set it and forget it” income stream, or you’re not prepared to invest both time and money, AIA probably isn’t the right fit.

That said, if you’re serious about building a publishing business, have the capital to invest, and are willing to treat this like a real business (with all the ups and downs that come with it), you can absolutely learn valuable skills and potentially build a new income stream with AIA. Just go in with your eyes open, realistic expectations, and a willingness to put in the work.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Audiobook Income Academy Alternative

If you’re looking for a more accessible, lower-risk way to learn how to make money online-and you want a business model with more flexibility and less upfront cost – Wealthy Affiliate is my top recommendation. Unlike AIA, Wealthy Affiliate is focused on affiliate marketing: building websites, creating content, and promoting products for commissions.

Here’s why I consider Wealthy Affiliate the best alternative:

• Comprehensive Training: Wealthy Affiliate offers step-by-step training on everything from niche selection and website building to SEO and advanced traffic strategies. The lessons are updated regularly to keep up with the latest trends.
• Supportive Community: The platform has a massive, active community of entrepreneurs at every stage, plus direct access to experts and even the founders. You’re never alone, and help is always available.
• Low Barrier to Entry: You can get started for free-no credit card required. Even the premium membership is just $49/month, which is a fraction of the cost of AIA and doesn’t require a big upfront investment.
• Multiple Ways to Earn: You’re not limited to one business model. You can promote Wealthy Affiliate itself, other affiliate programs, or even sell your own products and services.
• Proven Track Record: Wealthy Affiliate has been around since 2005 and has helped thousands of people build real, sustainable online businesses. It doesn’t promise overnight riches, but it does provide the tools and support you need to succeed if you put in the effort.

If you’re just starting out, want to minimize risk, or prefer a business model that lets you build assets you fully control, Wealthy Affiliate is a fantastic place to learn, grow, and actually make money online-without the steep costs and competition of audiobook publishing.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative