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Makers, the DRM-free audiobook

The audiobook of my latest novel, Makers has been published by Random House Audio, strictly in DRM-free formats over the net (this means that Apple won't carry it in the iTunes store, even though Audible was willing to carry it without DRM).

The reading is by Bernadette Dunne, a very talented actor. I just listened to this for the first time yesterday and I was blown away by Dunne's reading. I'm a huge audiobook nut, and I'm incredibly glad to have professional audiobook adaptations of my books from Random House -- and doubly grateful to them for supporting my commitment to DRM-free distribution. When you buy this book, you own it. The "terms of service" are "Don't violate copyright law," not "By buying this audiobook, you agree that we get to come over and kick you in the ass."

Makers, read by Bernadette Dunne

MP3 Sample

Buy Makers Audiobook on Borders

15 Responses to “Makers, the DRM-free audiobook”

1. Phil D says:

   November 24, 2009 at 12:33 pm

   Just bought the audiobook through borders.com, after failing to find a British or French retailer. Really looking to hearing the book, but I must say Borders' insistence on its customers a) registering and b) using the OverDrive Media Console is a pain.
2. roppert says:

   November 24, 2009 at 7:01 pm

   Just got my copy, a dead wood kind, of Makers. Now, should I read it or listen to it... Mr Doctorow you are a hero (and a darn good writer).
3. Thaiis Thei says:

   November 25, 2009 at 2:37 am

   Please sell this on Amazon.
4. Cory Doctorow says:

   November 25, 2009 at 2:40 am

   I wish I could. Amazon refuses to carry it because it doesn't have DRM.
5. m4lvin says:

   November 25, 2009 at 4:25 am

   @1. "Borders' insistence on its customers a) registering and b) using the OverDrive Media Console is a pain"

   yes, and that's what's keeping me from buying it!
   borders does not provide information about the ability to download on a linux pc and does not tell exact mp3 format / codec, bitrate, etc. which is used...

   I would have expected some more information or so to say "nerd-compatibility" ;-)

   So, Master Cory, what should I do?
6. Cory Doctorow says:

   November 25, 2009 at 4:29 am

   To be honest, this is the best we can get at the moment, without selling through a DRM-only vendor like Audible/Amazon/iTunes. I'm working on getting Makers listed at BN.com (it was supposed to be -- don't know why it isn't), which has a slightly better download UI. But I agree -- this isn't a good purchase process. Unfortunately, we had to choose between good UI and fair terms of sale, and you only have to suffer through a bad UI once, while crappy licenses and DRM bind you forever.
7. eske says:

   November 25, 2009 at 11:20 am

   Cory

   I'm in Ireland

   Borders tells me "not available for purchase due to publisher/author territorial restrictions."

   Barnes and Noble says "In compliance with shipping restrictions, the following item(s) in your order cannot be sent if the billing address for the order is located in: Ireland." - even though I'm trying to download it, not have it shipped

   any other ways to get it? I don't remember any problems with the "little Brother" download

   cheers eske
8. Cory Doctorow says:

   November 25, 2009 at 11:28 am

   Sorry about this. I don't know why there's territorial restrictions in place -- I'm working to get them fixed, but it's US Thanksgiving, alas. I'll post something here when/if we find a better etailer.
9. Book Calendar says:

   November 25, 2009 at 1:05 pm

   I like the cover of the book, it reminds me of the collages made of dead computers you sometimes see at tech conventions. Audible is the main vendor for the library market for audiobooks. Started reading the book. It is quite enjoyable.
10. Derrek says:

    November 25, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    No offense, but I'm glad to see someone else is performing on this recording. Also, would it be possible to sell mp3s from your own website?
11. Dan says:

    November 25, 2009 at 6:12 pm

    I couldn't find Makers on Audible. I thought you said that they were willing to carry it, but I joined the site hoping to find Markers but no luck.
12. KFW says:

    December 14, 2009 at 5:16 am

    It's now available on BN.com. Appears to let you check out as a "guest" w/o an account, but still requires you to install a Windows/Mac "Media Manager" to download the file. As if downloading or "managing files" is too hard for anyone to manage on their own. /K
13. KFW says:

    December 14, 2009 at 6:41 am

    It is also on Kitabe (kitabe.com), Cheaper than B&N. But download speeds were slow, and the 4 zip files contain a total of 162 small files with an incomprehensible naming scheme. /K
14. rgv says:

    December 30, 2009 at 6:19 am

    And Kitabe sells to international (or at least Australian) customers! Unlike B&N, Borders & Simply Audiobooks.
15. Olleh says:

    January 2, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    @KFW - You need to open the .m3u playlist top play them all.

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