Comments on: Audible ends the program that gave authors $1 for every audiobook sold

By: rickbennette

rickbennette — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:27:00 +0000

Without the authors, you have nothing. If anyone deserves payment, it’s the person who creates the product you sell. Cutting out the payment to the authors, huh. Any wonders why your business failed?

By: Tom Walker

Tom Walker — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:04:16 +0000

They charge $1.95 for our lower cost audiobooks versus $2.99 for eBooks on Kindle. This is a lot lower than our physical audiobooks at $3.99 and up. So audible.com already offers fantastic pricing. Ditto Kindle. See audible.com under Simply Magazine to check these facts. Just would be nice if they could continue paying the authors something.

By: Frank White

Frank White — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:08:01 +0000

Lol, well, as a publisher, you WOULD vote to charge customers more. ;)

As a customer, though, I’m glad they didn’t, especially since audiobook prices are already on average higher than print and ebook editions. I’m sure publishers would be quick to remind us of the additional costs of producing audio’s, such as the narrators and production team, but I’m not convinced that adds up to more than what they’re saving by not having to print or distribute them to brick and mortar stores. And of course I know that publishers like to come up with fancy arguments for why they’re NOT saving signicantly by cutting out such costs, – same argument they use for why ebook prices still have to remain so high – but I don’t think consumers have a lot of faith in those arguments.

By: Tom Walker

Tom Walker — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:35:55 +0000

Nothing changes except that authors do not get the dollar. Audible is a terrific company and works hard to help all stakeholders. This is a big change that may have significant impact upon Amazon as well as Audible, its wholly owned subsidiary. If a logical move, it is part of an effort to try to cut Amazon losses by cutting their expenses. As a publisher, we wish they had just raised their very low retail prices to earn enough to pay our authors and put some in their own coffers to boost their profitability to help everyone!

By: rickbennette

rickbennette — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:22:36 +0000

I was not aware of the “dollar honorarium” program. Can you explain where the audio books will now be sold, and whether the standard commissions are still applicable after 6-30? My guess is the audio books will now be distributed through Amazon only, but the article is vague on where Audible audio books will continue to exist.

By: Tom Walker

Tom Walker — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:01:43 +0000

Ms. Owens should get a quote from Mr. Bezos on this. First question, “Did you know about this?” Follow up, “What do think of it?” If he knew about it in advance, then it is a major shift in Amazon strategy and the investment world in general would be most interested. If not, then it will be equally interesting if he thinks it important enough to do something about. Standing by….

By: Tom Walker

Tom Walker — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:55:53 +0000

Glad Ms. Owen reported this. Seems very short sighted and UN-Bezos like. Audible pays 15% of list and Kindle pays 70% over $2.99. Same company; remarkably different deals. This will invite a lot of new competition for authors/publishers. Makes Dunkirk look like a victory.