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If you are unaware of this unfair treatment of authors by @acx_com @Audible_AU @audible_com @audibleuk etc. check out this excellent explanation by @SusanMayWriter : https://www.susanmaywriter.net/single-post/audiblegate-the-incredible-story-of-missing-sales (summarised below)
Audible readers can now return audiobooks for full refund up to a year after purchase. When finished reading, the @audible_com app even offers a handy "return book" button. Nice attractor for readers to buy an Audible subscription but it's authors and narrators who pay
Amazon's @acx_com claws back any lost revenue from the audiobook #authors (and #narrators if they haven't been paid upfront). Adding possible illegality to injury, it won't tell authors how many returns are happening under this no-quibble refund policy.
@acx_com operates 7-year, lock-in contracts for #authors who are exclusive to them (at a poor commission rate of 40%). This policy was introduced silently, with no opportunity for the #creatives to opt-out, brought to light only by authors noticing reduced revenue
We urge @acx_com and @audible_com to reverse this ill-thought, untransparent, and unfair policy and urge the #writingcommunity to unite in opposing it. @thecreativepenn @Joannechocolat @DavidGaughran @samatlounge @CoryDoctorow @agnieszkasshoes @JaneFriedman @Rebelauthorpod
Audible controls 90% of the audiobook market. #Authors - encourage your readers to purchase audiobooks from another source until this policy is reversed and fairer terms introduced. And, as ever, beware the dangers of exclusive contracts with any self-publishing service.
Our watchdog desk, headed by @JohnDoppler, has revoked Amazon @acx_com rating as an approved self-publishing service until their ill-conceived audiobook refund policy is reversed. https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/