This is according to a new survey of 700 authors
Authors and translators often receive just a few cents per book listened to and benefit very little from the growing popularity of audiobooks. This is revealed by new research commissioned by the Auteursbond and Stichting Lira, involving nearly 700 authors. Those who do receive a payment are usually unable to ascertain what that amount is based on, due to opaque royalty statements. The Auteursbond and Stichting Lira are therefore calling for fair payments and greater transparency.
The audiobook market is growing rapidly. According to KVB Boekwerk, a quarter of the Dutch population were using audiobooks in 2025. This growth stands in stark contrast to the low royalties paid to authors; in early 2026, there was an outcry when Lieke Marsman revealed that she was left with just 8.5 cents from a book that had been listened to in full. It now appears that such amounts are not the exception.
83 cents for 66 loans
The survey, carried out by Verian, confirms that royalties are either not paid at all or are extremely low. Fewer than half of the writers surveyed (45%) received remuneration in 2024 for loans via the online library; among translators, the figure was just 15%. Those who did receive payment were paid an average of 39 cents per loan — half of the authors received no more than 25 cents. One respondent commented: ‘Wow, I knew it was bad, but this takes the biscuit. I’m getting 83 cents for 66 loans.’
The picture is even bleaker for commercial subscription services: only a quarter of writers (24%) and 6% of translators received remuneration in 2024. It is often impossible to determine exactly how much authors receive: royalty statements usually list a single total amount under a heading such as ‘audiobook subscriptions’, without a breakdown by service. Authors who were able to find out do so cite amounts ranging from a few cents to well over ten cents per book listened to in full.
“Streaming services have largely destroyed musicians” revenue model. Now companies such as Spotify, Fluister and Storytel are focusing on audiobooks, which can be streamed virtually for free. This will hit writers and translators hard: people usually only listen to a book once, meaning authors earn even less from the streaming of their work than musicians do.”
- Anja Sicking, writer and section chair of the Authors’ Union
“The lack of transparency puts writers and translators in a vulnerable position. It is disgraceful that they are paid so little in a growing market. You can’t make a living from tips.”
- Liesbet van Zoonen, president Authors' Union
Better arrangements are needed
The findings of the study emphasise that the position of authors and translators in the distribution of audiobooks must be strengthened. Many authors are poorly informed and are unaware that their books are being made available as audiobooks. This must change, according to the Authors’ Union and the Lira Foundation. Authors must know where their work is being made available, what agreements govern its use, and how their remuneration is calculated.
The Authors’ Association and the Lira Foundation therefore remain committed to fair remuneration and greater transparency regarding audiobooks. The findings of this study provide an important basis for this.
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