If you're in the creative industry—or follow it closely—you’ve probably heard about the ongoing mess known as "Audiblegate." If not, here’s the short version: Audible, the audiobook giant owned by Amazon, has been engaging in shady practices that leave authors with abysmal royalty rates, even worse than what we were already dealing with in the book world. Colleen Cross’s insightful piece breaks down how Audible profits at the expense of authors, and honestly, it’s frustrating to the core. I wanted to share some personal thoughts, especially because this hits very close to home for me.

Writing Isn't a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme

Let’s clear something up: I’ve never gone into writing with dreams of getting rich. If you’ve followed me for a while, you probably already know that. Yes, I want my books to succeed, but the reality is, royalties on books are abysmal—whether you're an indie author or signed with a major publishing house. The difference isn’t in the payouts; it’s just in who’s controlling the money. 

Now, with Audiblegate in the picture, it’s even more disheartening. People have asked me to make audiobooks, and I want to give my readers—my supporters—what they want. So, I’ve gone ahead and released Fault Lines as an audiobook, and I’m excited to say that This Must Be The Place will also be released as one. But I’ll be honest: beyond these projects, I don’t have plans to release anything else in audiobook format anytime soon. Why? Because financially, it doesn’t make sense. The system is broken. I’ve had to go into the hole just to get these audiobooks out there, and it’s tough to justify doing that again. 

How Creatives Are Left Behind

What’s really frustrating is how creators across the board—authors, musicians, artists—are being undervalued and ripped off. We’re expected to create out of "passion," as if passion alone pays the bills. Meanwhile, companies like Audible take the bulk of the earnings, leaving creators with crumbs. This isn’t Hollywood, where writers are portrayed as living luxurious, cash-filled lives. In reality, the vast majority of us are working hard just to make ends meet.

For every big-name author you see, there are countless others (like me) working tirelessly behind the scenes, not for fame or fortune, but for the love of the craft. And trust me, we’re not swimming in money.

Why Your Support Means Everything

So, why keep going if it’s this bad? The answer is simple: because of you. If you’ve ever bought one of my books, listened to my audiobook, written me a review, shared my work, or even recommended me to a friend, I want you to know how much it means. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: my gratitude is real. If you’ve ever doubted that, let me assure you—it couldn’t be more genuine. Your support is what keeps me going, especially in a world where the system often works against creatives.

Audiblegate and the wider issue of how creatives are treated highlights just how important your support is. When you invest in my work, you remind me that what I do matters. Even when companies like Audible don’t seem to think so, you do, and that’s everything to me.

We Deserve Better

At the end of the day, we all need to start calling out companies that profit off the backs of creatives while leaving us with next to nothing. It shouldn’t be acceptable for artists, authors, and creators to barely get by while corporations rake in the profits. Change might be slow, but in the meantime, many of us are left struggling.

But here’s what I know: I’m not in this for the money, and your support will always mean more to me than anything a big company can offer. So, if you’ve ever bought one of my books, listened to an audiobook, left a review, or simply cheered me on, know how deeply I appreciate it. You’re the reason I’m able to keep doing what I love, even when the system tries to make it impossible.

Thanks for sticking with me and for always having my back.