Why my new audiobook is everywhere except on Audible

The author of "The Software Engineer's Guidebook" discusses the absence of their audiobook on Audible, attributing it to the platform's monopolistic pricing practices and slow approval process. Despite submitting the audiobook to Audible simultaneously with other platforms, it remains unavailable due to Audible's lengthy approval times, which can extend up to 25 days. The author highlights Audible's significant market share, commanding 63.4% in the U.S. as of 2022, and its high take rates of 60% for exclusive audiobooks and 75% for non-exclusive ones. This pricing structure makes it financially challenging for authors to sell on Audible compared to other platforms. The author expresses a desire to avoid supporting a company that treats authors poorly but acknowledges that many readers prefer Audible. They encourage listeners to purchase audiobooks from alternative platforms to support fairer compensation for authors. The author also notes that Spotify is emerging as a competitor, offering better royalty rates and a unique model for audiobook access. The situation reflects broader concerns about competition and fair pricing in the audiobook market, with potential regulatory scrutiny on Audible's practices.

- The audiobook "The Software Engineer's Guidebook" is not available on Audible due to slow approval processes and high take rates.

- Audible holds a dominant market share in audiobooks, leading to monopolistic pricing practices that disadvantage authors.

- The author encourages purchasing audiobooks from platforms other than Audible to support fair compensation.

- Spotify is emerging as a competitor in the audiobook space, potentially challenging Audible's dominance.

- The author highlights the need for regulatory scrutiny to address anti-competitive practices in the audiobook market.