Audiblegate (twitter.com)

Article summary

The article discusses Audible's royalty payments to authors, with some authors claiming they are not receiving the expected amount. The payment system is based on credits, which can be purchased by customers and used to buy audiobooks. The authors' royalty rate is supposed to be 40%, but the actual amount they receive can be lower due to the credit system. The article sparks a discussion about the fairness of Audible's business model.

Main themes

• Audible's royalty payments
• fairness of business model
• author contracts
• credit system
• monopolistic practices
• royalty rates

What commenters say

• Audible's payment system is unfair to authors because it does not guarantee a minimum royalty rate.
• The credit system is a legitimate business model that allows Audible to offer discounts to customers.
• Authors are aware of the payment terms when they sign up with Audible and should not expect a higher royalty rate.
• The system is exploitative because it allows Audible to keep a large percentage of the revenue while paying authors a lower rate.
• The contract between Audible and authors is clear about the payment terms, and authors should not be surprised by the actual amount they receive.
• Audible's business model is not monopolistic because authors can choose not to sell their books on the platform.
• The payment system is complex and can lead to authors receiving different amounts for the same book depending on how it is purchased.
• Audible's practice of paying royalties based on credits sold rather than credits used is a legitimate accounting practice.