Ijeoma Oluo Takes a Brave Stand

Yesterday, writer Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) took a brave and principled stand on Twitter:

Dec 22 BOOK NERD RANT: some of you may know this, but audiobooks are near and dear to my heart. Accessibility in my work - especially as someone who writes on social issues, is a top priority. And as a writer with ADD, audiobooks are the only way I can still regularly read.

When it came time to sign my audiobook contract, I was surprised to find that certain audio publishers *cough* Audible *cough* were more hostile to library licensing than others.

I worked with my amazing agent to ensure that I worked with an audio publisher who would let libraries license my work. But right now there is an effort - rumors say led by Amazon/Audible - to make it even harder for libraries to license audiobooks.

And as more and more publishers limit library access to audiobooks - they are saying that they are doing it in our - the writer's - name. Because we are supposedly missing out on sales due to library lending. As a writer, let me say firmly: fuck that nonsense.

Dec 22 I want my book to be read. I want my book to be borrowed. I want my book to be bought. I want my book to be read regardless of how much money you have.

And less we forget - audiobooks are first and foremost an accessibility device for those who cannot read another way. Just because they are now popular in the mainstream doesn't mean we get to divorce audiobooks from their main purpose.

And making it harder for libraries to provide audiobooks to the communities that need them the most is a gross marriage of capitalism and ableism that I - and most of the authors I know - never asked for

We at RF appreciate authors making money, but we hope more will stand up for fair and equal access via audiobooks, and e-books too, for that matter.

Thank you, Ms. Oluo!