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I really like what Orna Ross is saying regarding exposing the full payment formula(s) with examples. Without such data, it’s nearly impossible for authors to make any type of determination regarding expected income or price per title payouts.
Robin (my wife) has been digging into this deeper as of late, and while the “credit sharing” aspect was a huge problem (and very complicated). Dealing with “reserve credits” is even more difficult to decipher – and it would appear to be a big reason why early adopters (authors in the beta program) are seeing 45% – 55% gains in income – because the two models have much different pools.
Old model – payouts are only on credits spendNew model – payouts are on “member value” – which is a combination of credits spent now, and credits that will be spent at some future point.
So there is actually two types of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” going on in the new model.
Plus titles being subsidized by Premium Credit spends
Early adopters getting paid for credits spent AND the reserve credit pool – which is essentially paying now for things that (in the old model) would be accounted for at the time those credits are used.
Great article, Jane. I recently placed a first in series in the AYCL program (as Audible suggests) and am currently deciding whether to place other firsts in as well. I found what author Jillian Dodd said to be hopeful: that listeners find new authors in the Plus system and then move on to the next paid installment.
Keep me updated on how it goes!