Academy Voices Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: June 2026

Welcome to Academy Voices, a voice-over casting and audiobook production website operated by Anthony Pica Productions, LLC. By using our services and Website, you agree to these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). Please read these Terms carefully. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our Website.

1. Website Use

Academy Voices provides a platform for voice actors and narrators to showcase their talent and for rights holders to create and publish audiobooks. We do not guarantee any work or income from using our Website.

2. Account Registration

Users must create an account, submitting accurate and complete information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and accept responsibility for all activities under your account.

3. Content and Conduct

Users are responsible for any content posted, including voice samples, personal details, and comments. Content that is defamatory, offensive, or harmful is strictly prohibited. Academy Voices reserves the right to remove inappropriate content.

4. Ownership and Rights

All content on Academy Voices, including but not limited to text, images, logos, and software, is the property of Academy Voices or its content suppliers, protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. Users may not reproduce or use our content without written consent.

For Royalty Share projects involving an author or rights holder, narrators retain royalty rights for a period of ten (10) years from the publication date. After 10 years, the narrator's share reverts to the rights holder, who will receive 80% of net revenue going forward. Academy Voices continues to receive 20% for ongoing distribution management.

For internal Academy Voices projects (public domain and Academy Voices-produced works with no external rights holder), narrators retain royalty rights for a period of twenty (20) years from the publication date. After 20 years, all revenue reverts to Academy Voices.

5. Project Fees and Payments

Production Fee: A one-time production fee of $350.00 applies to all projects — both Royalty Share and Per Finished Hour — and is due upon the author's or rights holder's approval of the initial 15-minute sample.

Royalty Share Projects: No upfront narrator costs are required beyond the production fee. Payment to all parties is based on shared net revenue once the audiobook is distributed, paid quarterly via PayPal.

Per Finished Hour (PFH) Projects: The PFH rate covers the final, fully edited, and mastered hour of audio content. Full narrator payment is due prior to final delivery of completed audio files. Half payment may be made at the beginning of the production process.

All payments are processed through our invoicing system. Academy Voices is not liable for any fees charged by your financial institution.

6. Per Finished Hour (PFH) Terms

For PFH projects, the following terms apply:

PFH Rate: The per finished hour rate reflects the cost for the fully produced, edited, and mastered final hour of audio. This rate is set in advance and includes narration, editing, mastering, and file delivery in a distribution-ready format.
Quality Standards: All PFH projects are produced to industry-standard specifications, ensuring professional sound quality, accurate file formatting, and compatibility with major distribution platforms.
Rights and Ownership: Upon full payment, the rights holder retains full ownership of the audiobook. Academy Voices retains the right to use brief excerpts (up to 5 minutes total) for portfolio, promotional, or educational purposes unless explicitly revoked in writing by the rights holder.
Approval Process: Rights holders will receive the first 15 minutes of the audiobook for review and feedback before full production proceeds. Approval of this sample is required before production continues, and the $350 production fee is due at this stage. No refunds for this production fee.
Delivery and Payment: Upon completion, all final audio files will be delivered through a secure transfer method. Full narrator payment is due before files can be downloaded. If the project is canceled after the 15-minute approval, production has begun and 50% of the total PFH cost is due to the producer.
Distribution Revenue (if published through Academy Voices): If the rights holder chooses to distribute through Academy Voices, net royalties are split 80% to the rights holder and 20% to Academy Voices for ongoing distribution management.

7. Royalty Share Terms

For Royalty Share projects involving an author or rights holder, the following terms apply:

Revenue Split (applied after retailer or distributor deductions):

Rights Holder — 40%
Narrator — 40%
Academy Voices — 20%

Please note: each retail and distribution platform (e.g., Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, library platforms, etc.) deducts its own fees before revenue reaches Academy Voices. The percentages above apply to net revenue received after those deductions.

Royalty Period: The narrator's royalty share applies for ten (10) years from the date of first publication. After 10 years, the narrator's 40% share reverts to the rights holder, who will receive 80% of net revenue going forward. Academy Voices continues to receive 20%.

Payments: Royalties are calculated and paid quarterly via PayPal, accompanied by a sales report.

Production Fee: A one-time production fee of $350.00 is due upon approval of the initial 15-minute sample, regardless of payment model.

Distribution: Royalty Share projects must be published through Academy Voices.

8. Royalty Share — Internal & Public Domain Projects

For audiobooks produced entirely by Academy Voices without an external rights holder (e.g., public domain works), the following terms apply:

Revenue Split: Academy Voices and the narrator split revenue as agreed upon per project.
Royalty Period: Narrators retain royalty rights for twenty (20) years from the publication date.
Rights Reversion: After the 20-year royalty period, all rights and revenue revert entirely to Academy Voices. Narrators are no longer entitled to royalty payments.
No Use for AI: Academy Voices guarantees that no audio from these projects will ever be used for artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning purposes.

9. Distribution Channels

Academy Voices distributes audiobooks across a broad range of platforms to maximize reach and accessibility. Distribution channels include, but are not limited to:

Audible / Amazon, Audiobooks.com, Hoopla, The Audiobook Store, Downpour, OverDrive, Libro.fm, Audiobooks Now, Storytel, BookMate, Nextory, Kobo, Everand (formerly Scribd), Nook, 3 Leaf Group, Bibliotheca LLC, Follett Library Resources, Google LLC, Mackin, Anyplay, Odilo, Wheelers Book Club Limited, Apple, 24Symbols, Chirp, Audioteka, UBook, YouScribe, BookBeat, Cliq Digital, Instaread, Divibib, Rahva Raamat, Books-A-Million, Globook, Kids.Radio, Spotify, Speechify, Ulverscroft, Behear, Bookwalker, LibraryOne, Deezer, Napster, YouTube Music, and Calm Radio.

Academy Voices utilizes trusted distribution partners including Authors Republic and other platform relationships to expand audiobook reach across retailers, libraries, and streaming services worldwide.

Please note: not every audiobook will qualify for distribution on every platform. Some retailers have specific content, genre, age, or formatting requirements. Academy Voices retains discretion over platform selection.

10. Production and Approval Process

Initial Sample: After contracts are signed, Academy Voices submits the first 15 minutes of the audiobook to the author or rights holder for approval. This approval is required before full production proceeds, and the $350 production fee is due at this stage.
Timelines: Projects under 50,000 words are estimated to complete within 4–6 weeks of sample approval. Projects over 50,000 words will have a timeline agreed upon in advance. Delays may occur due to revision requests, response time, or technical complexity.
Payment Due Upon Completion: Full narrator payment is due before final files are delivered.
Cancellation Policy: If the rights holder cancels after the 15-minute approval, 50% of the total project cost is due to cover Academy Voices' fee and the narrator's compensation for work completed.

11. Prohibited Uses: Machine Learning and AI

Voice-over recordings from Academy Voices may not be used for training or developing machine learning models or AI systems, voice cloning, or synthetic voice generation without prior explicit written consent from both Academy Voices and the talent involved. Any unauthorized use for these purposes is strictly prohibited.

Academy Voices commits to using recordings solely for their intended audiobook production and distribution purposes.

12. Responsibilities of Voice Actors

Voice actors on Academy Voices are independent contractors, not employees. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any account for reasons including:

Non-compliance with these Terms
Providing false information on profiles or applications
Inconsistent availability or unprofessional conduct
Failure to meet project deadlines or quality standards
Poor customer service or unprofessional interactions
Unauthorized fee changes or sharing of project terms with clients
Failure to communicate for 15 or more consecutive days during an active project

Voice actors are not required to maintain an active membership to earn royalties from completed projects. They will retain a link to view earnings and sales reports but will not have access to new auditions or casting opportunities without an active membership.

Narrators may use brief excerpts of their work (up to 5 minutes total) for personal portfolio or promotional purposes unless otherwise restricted in writing.

Narrators must not attempt to discourage clients from using Academy Voices or post negative comments about our services publicly.

13. Dispute Resolution

Disputes arising from these Terms or the use of our Website are subject to binding arbitration in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Users waive any right to participate in class action lawsuits.

14. Limitation of Liability

Academy Voices is provided "as is" and "as available." We disclaim warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We are not liable for damages related to Website use.

15. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

16. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use of our Website after changes are posted implies acceptance of the updated Terms.

17. Contact Us

For questions or concerns regarding these Terms, contact us at:

Anthony Pica Productions, LLC 7861 Indian Road, Gloucester, VA 23061 Email: [email protected] Phone: (757) 784-2949