One of the most common things our customer service team hears is: Why can’t I find [title] on Libro.fm?
It’s a great question – and a frustrating one. With over 600,000 audiobooks in our catalog across 100 languages, we carry everything from New York Times bestsellers to bookseller favorites. But sometimes a title you’re looking for just isn’t there. Here’s why that happens, and what you (and we) can do about it.
The audiobook just hasn’t been recorded yet.
Not every book has an audiobook version. The author or publisher may not have produced one yet, or may not plan to. If there’s a book you’d love to listen to but there’s no audiobook edition, let the publisher know there’s demand for it! Not only are more books being turned into audiobooks, but this helps ensure a range of readers have access to a book.
The audiobook was published, but isn’t available in your language or country.
Libro.fm works with audiobook distributors of all sizes to provide access to hundreds of thousands of titles. Occasionally the audiobook may only be available in certain countries. But don’t worry – our catalog is always growing, especially with new languages and publishing/audiobook distribution partners!
The audiobook is an Audible Exclusive or Audible Original.
This is the most frustrating reason. Amazon’s Audible has signed exclusive deals with publishers and authors that prevent these audiobooks from being sold or accessed anywhere else – not through independent bookstores, and not even through libraries. These deals are harmful to the broader audiobook ecosystem and limit where readers can access stories. And for a medium that’s supposed to help make reading more accessible, we think these Exclusives go against the very core importance of audiobooks.
What does “Audible Exclusive” even mean?
There are a few different ways an audiobook might be exclusive to Audible:
- Audible Exclusive: An audiobook that is contractually locked to Audible and cannot be sold on any other platform.
- Audible Original: Content produced and owned by Audible itself.
- Exclusive Release: A title that is exclusive to Audible for a limited window (often 90 days) before becoming available on other platforms. (This may also manifest as a reader only being available to purchase the audiobook with a credit on Audible. We mark these on the audiobook’s detail page for transparency.)
The common thread is that none of these titles can be purchased through your local independent bookstore or checked out from your library – and that’s a problem.
Why do authors choose exclusivity?
On the surface, Audible and their Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) marketplace promises the highest pay across the industry…but many authors have challenged whether those terms are actually honored. Just like Amazon is able to sell print books for less than indie bookstores to convince readers to purchase from the mega-retailer, they do this to lock authors into their ecosystem.
So what can I do about it?
We are fiercely independent and oppose Amazon’s efforts to keep independent bookshops and others out of the audiobook business. And to that extent, we are actively working with publishers to make these titles available on Libro.fm so that listeners can purchase them through their local, independent bookstores.
But beyond what we’re doing, there are several things readers and authors can do to push back against audiobook exclusivity and support a healthier ecosystem.
I’m a reader.
Here are some actions you can take as a reader to work towards promoting equal access to books:
Educate yourself
Learn more about about Audible Exclusive audiobooks and how they affect indie bookshops, libraries, and readers. But don’t stop there—contact Audible directly to tell them you oppose exclusive deals. Consumer pressure matters!
Sign the petition
Sign Fight for the Future’s petition to encourage legislators to preserve open access to all books.
Reach out directly to authors and publishers.
A reader’s voice is powerful – many authors don’t realize their audiobooks are locked behind exclusive deals, especially if a publisher made the distribution decision on their behalf. Keep scrolling for templates.
Send us an email
We track every request and use that data when negotiating with publishers and distributors. Your voice directly shapes our catalogue.
Publisher Letter Template:
Hi [PUBLISHER NAME],
I’d like to request that [TITLE] be made available on Libro.fm. I was disappointed to see that it’s an Audible Exclusive. As an audiobook listener who values supporting independent bookshops, I prefer to purchase and read through their platform.
Making this audiobook accessible through libraries and independent bookstores is important to keeping the book industry equitable. Please contact Libro.fm at publishers@libro.fm with any further questions.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
[YOUR NAME]
I’m an author.
If you’re an author and looking to educate yourself more on audiobook distribution, rights, and more, we’re here to help! Use the following resources to get started:
What we’re doing about it
We’re not sitting still. Here’s what we’re working on:
Growing our catalog
We now have over 600,000 audiobooks, and that number grows every day.
We’re expanding our network
Whether increasing the number of bookshops we partner with or publishers and distributors we offer, we’re hard at work to make sure you can support your store with audiobooks.
Advocating for accessibility
Between our technology and our work with organizations like the American Booksellers Association and American Library Association, we work every day to ensure that there’s a diverse and equitable audiobook ecosystem.
Supporting DRM-free audiobooks
Every audiobook you buy on Libro.fm comes with its actual files—meaning you can listen to the audiobook anywhere you want, no restrictions.
Spreading the word
We partner with authors like Cory Doctorow and Danny Caine to highlight the importance of DRM-free tech and shopping small—both of which are vital to creating change.
Have more questions about an audiobook’s availability?
Browse our Help center or contact us at hello@libro.fm.