From the “OMG That’s So Freakin’… uh… NOT All That Exciting” News File:
Last month Random House made the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT that they would begin selling their audio books DRM-free “As of March 1, the house ‘will no longer require that our retail partners use DRM when selling audiobooks via digital download. We believe that this move will allow for healthy competition among retailers targeting the iPod consumer without posing any substantive increase in risk of piracy.’”
Now, the New York Times is reporting that more publishers such as Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster are announcing their own move to DRM-free audio books. And booksellers, such as the Borders Group, are showing more interest in sales of audio book downloads.
I’ve never thought of audio books as using DRM, just ebooks. But IF I understand this correctly (and I checked with Teddypig to make sure I did; DRM for ebooks is one of his hot buttons), then the fact that all the downloadable audio books that I personally own can only be downloaded in digital format through either Audible’s Audio Manager or Overdrive Media Manager (Brilliance Audio) software means they are using DRM. Yes, I know— DUH! Of COURSE that’s DRM, Bev! But here’s why I wasn’t sure— once I’ve downloaded them, I can burn them to CDs, download them to any MP3 player, and even upload from those forms to another PC.
So, if audio books are protected by DRM, just what is DRM protecting?! What’s the freakin’ fuss about? Really, this is pretty much just a big announcement that this is business as usual minus the need to jump thru a hoop or two, right? Besides, I kind of LIKE those download managers.
For me, the most exciting news in all that non-news is that I can buy downloadable audio books from emusic. Never heard of them before and never would have guessed they sold audio books, [Shut up! I still use the word “album”] but I’m always on the lookout for new ways to feed my audio book addiction.
I am wondering, however, if all these announcements are going to throw a monkey wrench into Amazon’s plans. Amazon’s recent acquisition of Audible, combined with their purchase of Brilliance Audio last May, raised all kinds of warning flags for me. With Amazon virtually controlling the audio book market, they could potentially set prices wherever they damn well please. Maybe even lower prices for their Kindle audio format (yep, THAT’S what the earphone jack is for) with higher prices for other formats.
If the most immediate benefit to downloadable audio books going DRM-free is that there will soon be even more outlets for purchase, then Amazon will have no choice but to keep their prices competitive. Who knows, they might even LOWER prices to maintain their competitive edge! As long as that means that audio book producers don’t have to lower their production standards, than I think we are about to see audio books explode in popularity. I think it’s been their relatively high price in comparison to print or ebook that has kept consumers away. Teddypig tells me that DRM adds to the price, so really, there should be no excuse for the high prices I see for many downloadable audio books, particularly in comparison to audio books on CDs. No, I don’t expect the prices to ever fall anywhere near as low as the price of paperbacks, but I’m willing to continue to pay more for the convenience, entertainment, and enjoyment
I recently emailed Stephanie Laurens when I could only find the ABRIDGED (no-no-no) version of her new Cynster series release Where the Heart Leads. I also have been patiently waiting for Recorded Books to re-release Devil’s Bride on CD (it’s currently only available in expensive library edition cassettes) and hoped she would have the 411.
Well, SQUEEE, cause Stephanie Laurens took the time to answer me personally! Regarding the UNABRIDGED version of Where the Heart Leads– “I agree with you entirely over the inadequacies of the abridged version – I do not know why they bother, but apparently libraries prefer them. Seems odd to me, but…
However, the answer to your question is yes – all my works ultimately go to Recorded Books for the unabridged version. Because of the constraints inherent in the system, the unabridged is usually at least 12 months behind the release of the book. I think Recorded Books is behind on a few of the Cynster works, even though they are doing them, and are even further behind on the Bastion Club novels, but again they are coming through. They’re just slow.”
Regarding the re-release of Devil’s Bride on audio CD—“We’ve been nudging them over this – how hard could it be? We’ll keep at them.”
So, bad news for my “I want it NOW” side, but did I mention that Stephanie freakin’ Laurens answered me herself?!!! SQUEE!
ADDED: Couldn’t hurt to email Recorded Books (customerservice(at)recordedbooks(dot)com ) and ask them whether they are planning to re-release Devil’s Bride in a consumer’s edition, can it? I just did.
Now, no mention of audio books would be complete without our Phil Gigante. Last I heard, his prep work is done and he should be in the studio recording Karen Marie Moning’s The Immortal Highlander (release date 20 May 2008). That’s Adam’s story, which is swoon worthy enough, but remember what happens in that one— there are scenes with Adam, Drustan, Dageus, and their wives all in the same room! I have no doubt that Phil is gifted with enough talent to nail those scenes, but I also have no doubt that my autopsy report will read “Death by Eargasm”.
I can assure you that libraries no longer prefer the abridged versions (maybe they used to – but I can’t speak to that). I’m currently not in charge of buying AV for my library, but I do know we rarely buy anything anymore that isn’t unabridged and on CD (we also have dipped our toes into the downloadable eAudio pool, and that’s proven to be quite popular).
I think abridgments were so prevalent back in the day because of cost. 5 cassettes/CDs is “cheaper” than 12. Less packaging, less materials, less time in the recording studio. As more and more people discover audio, the demand for unabridged has increased. Why do they still bother with abridged? Well that I can’t answer. Maybe to keep cost down for the consumer/retail market? Unabridged is damned expense. Libraries easily can spend $100+ for ONE audio book. Retail costumers? I can’t think of one person who would spend that kind of money for one book – myself, an audio junkie, included.
See, here’s what I can’t figure out, Wendy– what’s the difference between the consumer priced unabridged audio books on CD (usually between $15-$35) and the uber expensive library editions? Seriously, are they burned on titanium CDs or something?
And I can’t for the life of me figure out WHY anyone would want to listen to an abridged CD. Yes, they are MUCH less expensive, but with so many libraries now offering downloadable audio books, it makes no sense to miss out on every word the author wrote. The only reason I can think of would be for a school paper, but that just doesn’t strike me as enough reason to continue to offer so many fiction books in abridged format.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer. The library editions tend to come with ready-for-shelf packaging (heavy plastic containers, nicer sleeves for the CDs) PLUS most companies offer replacements. CD #6 got scratched all to hell, and they’ll replace it for free or for a small (usually around $5) fee. Maybe they’re gouging us librarians because of replacements and packaging?
Well abridged is great for authors with verbal diarrhea – but that said I can’t remember the last time I listened to an abridgment.
Downloadable doesn’t always mean cheaper. They can still cost a pretty penny. Why? Don’t know. But audio is very complicated. They have separate rights (there’s print rights, audio rights, movie rights….), separate contracts, and are a totally separate entity from the book. Which is why not all books become available in audio. Because the author/agent/publisher/whomever never sold the audio rights.
It’s enough to make your head hurt.
OY! The higher download prices just burn my bacon. Brilliance Audio is notorious for it.
And don’t get me started on the lack of respect that the Romance genre gets within the audio book community- Romance isn’t even listed as a genre on many “serious” audiophile sites! But that’s a rant for another day.
Or they label books as romance that aren’t romance. Oh wait, publishers do that with print books too 🙂 We better stop while we’re ahead
Amazon is taking over more and more of the book biz and that is a worry. Granted I’ve tried the Kindle and find the WhisperNet a big selling feature but it doesn’t work abroad so it’s a bit of a eunuch.
I like the non-DRM move and even understand audio books occasionally higher prices – some of the readers put seriously hard work into these. However, I can’t believe any would choose to check out an abridged audio book over unabridged. If you take the time to read [in this case listen] a book, you don’t want the cliff notes.
By the way, congrats on the personal response. She sounds like a fab lady 🙂
Thanks Tilly, I just assumed I would hear from her PA, so I was totally tickled that she emailed back to me.
And yeah, I agree– I would hate to see the production values suffer because of pressure to lower prices. Like I said, my biggest gripe is with the download prices– I can usually find a deal on the audio book CD prices. I have no problem with paying $15-25 for a good audio book. Yes, I wish they were lower, but keep them fairly reasonable and keep the standards high, and I will continue to be a (mostly) happy customer.
I have just visited a site that is offering audiobooks in a different way. They are currently testing and access is free, but it looks very interesting. I really like the ability to Drag and Drop an audiobook, and have it play. There is also bookmarks for as many open books as you want and you can email them to friends, as well. They are using public domain books for now, but I think they are building a studio right now. This should fix problems of price and monopoly.
JohnM – thanks for the heads up. If you want to share the url, by all means please do.
Hi Gwen – You are more than welcome. The site was at http://www.audiopod.ca