How to Check for DRM on eBooks in Calibre Really Quickly

How to Check for DRM in Calibre

If you, like me, are downloading all your Kindle books before Amazon take away the ability to do so on the 26th Feb 2025 and are using Calibre to keep them all catalogued, you may be wondering about DRM.

Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that some books with have DRM, which makes them unreadable on anything except the Kindle anyway. The only way you figure this out is when you go to view the books and it says it can't open them because of DRM.

There is a really quick and simple way to highlight multiple books and find out which ones have DRM without having to open all of them individually:

Attempt to convert them

If they have DRM the conversion with fail.

Steps to Check for DRM

1. Import the books into Calibre by highlighting the files in your Kindle download directory and dragging them onto the Calibre book listing.
2. If you don't already have it as a column, add the formats column to your Calibre layout - this will make those that have failed easy to see.
1. Click the Preferences button in the main menu
   
   
   
   
   
2. Choose "Add your own columns"
   
   
   
   
   
3. Check the box next to formats (#13 on mine) and hit save
   
   
   
   
   
3. Now select all the books that need checking in the main book listing.
4. Click "Convert books" from the main menu
   
   
   
   
   
5. Choose the book format you wish to convert into from the dropdown - I use ePub because it is the most universal - and hit go.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Error messages will pop up for those books that won't convert - just click the close button, we don't need to remember which ones have failed.
7. Now all those books which don't have the additional format in the format col are the ones with DRM. I then added a tag to all the DRM books so I can find them easily again later when I decide what to do with them.

If there is a simpler way of doing this, please LMK, but I couldn't see one inside Calibre. This was the quickest way to do it all in bulk that I could find.

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Star ratings and how random they seem to be.

I have come to a conclusion; star ratings are actually random because different people interpret them in different ways.

What led me to this conclusion was a couple of reviews I received recently. Frankly both of the written parts were great, however, the first one gave me 5 stars and the second 3 stars, even though the second one said specifically that they were looking forward to more of the series.

Hence, I think what it comes down to is interpretation.

When you have your own blog a star rating makes sense because everything on your blog is rated by you using the same criteria. On a site like Amazon or Smashwords the ratings are given by different people using different criteria.

Some people give five stars if they enjoyed a book. Other people only give five stars if they think it is the most exceptional title ever.

Personally if I really liked the book I give 5* and if I liked it, but it had some problems I give it 4*.

It doesn't even matter if there are suggestions as to what the number of stars mean because mostly people don't read that part, they go with what's in their own head.

Add to that the fact that on your own blog you usually have an explanation of the star rating in the side bar or something and on a site like Amazon some people only go for 5* books and others actually look at the reviews, and the mire just gets deeper. It kind of makes sense that some authors were faking their stars reviews because it was the only way to guarantee a result; it wasn't fair or right, but it was logical.

I'm much more likely to be swayed by the cover or the blurb than a star rating. I only really take note of star values on Amazon etc if they are 1 or 2 stars and not just 1 or 2 reviews.

When it comes to DVDs I don't even ever look at the star rating because I often disagree with all the reviewers anyway :).

New Title: Out of the Frying Pan by Tasha D-Drake

I have another new title out today. I actually wrote this one last year as a commission at PennyDreadfuls21.com and it came out of it's 60 exclusivity period on 24th Dec, but, truth be told, I totally forgot about it until now :). My commissioner asked for modern setting, male/male, a vampire and a human in a situation bringing them together with conflict from one or both that meant they really didn't want an entanglement. This short story is what I came up with.

Please be aware it has mature content.

Title: Out of the Frying Pan
Author: Tasha D-Drake
Price: US $0.99, UK £0.77, EUR0.89

Dan works his magic with food as a new up and coming chef, what he does not need is his restaurant being destroyed by an explosion and ending up trapped with the UK's hottest food critic in what's left of his kitchen. When vampirism enters the equation it makes things a whole lot worse.

Our main site's running a little slow this morning (I assume Dreamhost are up to something) so here are some direct links in case it fails to load.
Amazon US | Amazon UK |Smashwords

Independent Authors and How to Give Them A Hand

Indies seem to be everywhere these days, which is a wonderful thing because we are seeing so much good fiction popping up that, in the old days, we may never have had a chance to read.

However, we all know that some of the fiction are shining diamonds and others are on the side of coal. This is where readers are a gift from on high.

Did you know that a very large percentage of independent book sales are on word of mouth recommendations? By that I don't just mean happening to mention a book to the person sitting next to you on the bus (although that works too :)), what I mean is recommendations via Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

If someone sees someone else saying how good a book is, especially from a friend, they are much more likely to try it out.

Retweeting, reviewing on the main sites, liking book pages, rating books, tagging books, all of these are amazingly helpful. As are personal reviews, whether you Tweet e.g.
I love Indie Book No1 http://link.to.indie.book.no1 
or
Just finished Indie Book No2, couldn't put it down http://link.to.indie.book.no2
or post a recommendation on your LJ, Blog, Facebook or Tumblr.

It really can make a huge difference.

Think of it like a snowball rolling down a hill, each mention is more snow added to the ball, it gets bigger and bigger, but if it runs into a patch where there is no snow it starts to melt.

So next time you read a book from an independent publisher or an independent author, if you enjoy it, please consider recommending it somewhere you hang out online. It doesn't have to be an in depth review, a one liner will do, just try and remember to throw in a link if possible so that everyone will be able to find it.

Personally I have a collection on my Kindle labelled "to Review/mention" so that I don't forget which ones I want to mention. In that spirit here are a couple I've really enjoyed:

The Spear of Destiny by ME Brines (Admittedly some of the other books under that author are rather odd, but this one I can say is most enjoyable.) It's a secret agent goes into Nazi Germany with a supernatural twist. It's the first part in a series of books and no sign of part 2 yet, but still entertaining.

Black Moon by C.L.Bevill This one is part of a trilogy, but stands fine. Paranormal with werejaguars and werewolves. It's a romp with sex and shape changing and it pushed my buttons. Be aware its het.

The Dead Man's Detective Agency by Keith Nichols This is a set of short stories described as Gothic crime. Very much paranormal detective stories and it's not Shakespeare, but it is entertaining.

Competwition to Win Myriad Imaginings

We have a new competwition up to win 3 copies of Myriad Imaginings our new 28 story anthology.

Competwition is a competition run via Twitter using the Competwition service. You log in to Competwition via your twitter account and when you hit the enter button it automatically follows @wittegenpress (this is required so we can talk to you when the comp ends), enters you into the completely free draw and tweets about the competwition via your account.

Basically its a follow and RT competition where you only have to press one button :).

If you would like to win a copy of Myriad Imaginings then click here to see the competwition

eBooks - The Prefect Christmas Gift

Are you looking for that last minute Christmas gift? Want something easy and small to send to a friend? eBooks are almost instant and in many cases very easy to obtain and send.

Imagine it's Christmas Eve and you suddenly realise you need to send a present to Cousin Jo who lives in Scotland and is snowed in. eBooks are virtual, all you need is an internet connection and you're sorted. You can even get personalised autographs through http://www.authorgraph.com/ if you want to make the gift extra special.

I've used the term DRM throughout this post and it means Digital Rights Management. A good reason to go indie is that most of us don't use it so files are not tied to devices and you can send them to who you like. Just remember to buy one copy of the book for each person you want to give it to because starving writers need to eat too :).

Reading if You Don't Have An eReader

You do not need an eReader to read eBooks, most formats have a PC reader that can be downloaded for free or just open in software you most likely already have installed.

Kindle books have the Kindle App which can be downloaded from your local Amazon site.
Barnes and Noble - have Nook Apps for various devices and PC which can be downloaded from their site.
Diesel eBook store offers links Adobe Digital Editions.
Smashwords offer formats that can be read straight on a PC without any new app.

And there are other options as well, like Kobo.

How to Give An eBook for Christmas

The problem with eBooks is the idiots at the top still think of the world as separate markets, which means you can't buy all books in all countries. This is a pain, but you can get over it with some patience as long as the book has no DRM. You can break DRM, but it's technical and illegal, so I'm not going to tell you how here. If you want to know, Google it. Just buy from those of us sensible enough to know DRM is a pain and not worth putting on books in the first place - it might send a message to the big publishers.

Amazon:
If your friend/family member has a Kindle then Amazon is the place to go. If you are lucky enough to be in the US, or able to buy from the US store then there is a gift option on the eBooks. All you need is your giftee's Amazon email addie (the one associated with their Kindle that allows them to send books to it).

If you are outside the US site where they haven't implemented gift giving yet, then it's a bit harder. Firstly it will only work for books that do not have DRM because otherwise you can't move the book from one device to another. There used to be a way to see this on the book page, but they seem to have removed that. The only way is to check out the publisher, for example we at Wittegen Press do not use DRM for any of our books.

Then set up the Kindle app on your computer, buy the book with the options set to deliver to the Kindle ap and then take the file and email it to the person you wish to give it to. They can then add it to their Kindle manually.

Smashwords:
This is the easiest option because they offer a gift option and many many formats all on one site. You only need an email address for the gift book to be sent to, then your giftee can download whichever format they would like.

Barnes and Noble:
They have a gift giving option as well. I don't have an account so I'm not sure quite how it works, but I assume it is similar to Smashwords.

Diesel:
You can buy books from here and download them and they indicate if the have no DRM right on the book page. As long as they are DRM free you can then send them on to the recipient and they can use Adobe Editions to read it on their PC or upload it to their eReader if their reader accepts ePub.

Help, I can't get the file in the format I need for the person I want to give it to.

Never fear, as long as the book is DRM free, this is easy to overcome. You want to download a nifty piece of software called Calibre. Calibre is easy to install and will allow you to convert from one format to another and it does just about anything.

eBooks are quick and easy and rewarding. They make a great virtual stocking stuffer and are well worth looking into. Here is a link to all of Wittegen Press' eBook available now.

New Book - Fortunate Soul (Soul Reader #3) (Short Story)

My latest title is out today. It's available from Smashwords and Amazon, apologies for those who buy their books from elsewhere, it will be available at Barnes and Nobel etc once it reaches the premium catalogue on Smashwords.

Thank you in advance to anyone who reviews the book or mentions it to their friends.


Fortunate Soul by Tasha D-Drake

Description: With a lot of help from Michael, John is recovering slowly from his kidnapping ordeal at the hands of his previous employers. However, John has noticed changes in Michael's behaviour towards him now that he has been marked by the organisation's captive vampires. He's worried his scars will be too much for their fledgling relationship.

The Soul Reader Series #3

Date Pub: 18th September 2012
Length: Short Story (~6,750 wds)
Genre: Paranormal, Adult, Vampire, Male/Male, Romance
ISBN 978-1-908333-36-0, ISBN 978-1-908333-37-7

Current pricing:

Amazon UK	£0.75	Kindle  (unless price matched [?])
Amazon US	$0.99
Amazon DE	EUR0.89
Amazon FR	EUR0.89
Amazon IT	EUR0.89
Amazon ES	EUR0.89
Smashwords	Free	ePub, PDF, mobi(Kindle), rtf, ltf(Sony), Palm Doc, Plain txt

This is one of the short stories of the series and hence it will eventually be free everywhere, but Amazon take a while to be convinced of this :). Smashwords do offer a Kindle option to download if you don't mind adding it to you device the long way.

Excerpt

"You're looking pensive again, Johnny," Michael said as they reached the top.

It made him smile because, at some point over the last few days, Michael had partially picked up his family's habit of calling him Johnny. Somehow that made him happy.

"Just thinking about the worrying behaviour you've picked up from my Nan," he replied and rewarded his lover with a fond smile.

The only reason they had decided to come back to London was because Michael had things to work out for his play. Well actually John had decided, because he had caught Michael on the phone trying to postpone something and he wasn't letting Michael put everything off for him. Michael's constant attention to him was more than he could ever have asked for. If he was truthful with himself he had thought it would all end before it had really begun, especially with the stresses of reconnecting with his family.

"You undress," Michael told him, steering them into the bedroom, "I'll get the shower going."

Then, with a quick kiss, Michael was gone and John was left to pull off his travel rumpled clothes. It was as he removed his long sleeved top that he caught sight of the scars on the inside of his wrist. Two neat little puncture marks that made him just stop. He saw the other scars from his imprisonment if he looked in the mirror or studied his upper body, but he could avoid looking at them, the ones on his wrist always seemed to catch his eye.

He'd been feeding vampires for a long time, but he'd never been scarred before and it made him feel degraded. He'd been used like a thing and his users hadn't even bothered to use him properly.

Today's Giveaway #31 The Beginning - Part 2 AND A New Path

Today we have two shorts for you. One is the second half of mine from yesterday, the other is one of Sophs. They're both packaged in the same eBook, so you still only have to download one.

We know the site was down earlier (small snafu with the code), very sorry, it's all up and working now. It's to do with the fact we had originally planned for June, which has 30 days and then moved to July which has 31 and guess what we forgot to change - oops.

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 31st Jul 2012 BST
Day 31: TWO Giveaways: The Beginning - Part 2
by
Natasha Duncan-Drake AND
A New Path
by
Sophie Duncan

To celebrate our last Giveaway Day and to thank all of you who have joined us on our month-long games, we have TWO giveaways today!

The Beginning - Part 2

Nate hunts vampires solo. It makes his life less complicated. He has a new target and is ready to take them down, only in steps Lexie. Nate really, really does not need an unarmed woman to mess up his hunt, especially when she claims to be a witch and is determined to come with him.

Part 1 was available yesterday (30th July 2012) if you missed it, please contact us at publications@wittegenpress.com.

Prequel to Advent by Natasha Duncan-Drake

~

A New Path

After defeating The Scion, Zac Kithrall and Damon Wulfres must adapt to their new life as a gestalt greater than the demon-seer and shadow-hunter magic they each possess. Yet, Zac had another premonition and when Damon discovers that he poses a danger to Zac, he must chose his new path carefully.

This story is a sequel to The End of The Journey by Sophie Duncan, which was published earlier in the Giveaway Games, if you missed it, please contact us at publications@wittegenpress.com.

Part of The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012

Genre: Young Adult, (Paranormal, Vampire), (Contemporary Fantasy)

Today's Giveaway #30 The Beginning Part 1

So today's offering is one of mine and is a prequel to my novel Advent. You don't have to know anything about the novel to enjoy the short story.

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 30th Jul 2012 BST
Day 30: The Beginning - Part 1

by
Natasha Duncan-Drake

Nate hunts vampires solo. It makes his life less complicated. He has a new target and is ready to take them down, only in steps Lexie. Nate really, really does not need an unarmed woman to mess up his hunt, especially when she claims to be a witch and is determined to come with him.

Part 1 - Part 2 will be available tomorrow, 31st July 2012

Prequel to Advent by Natasha Duncan-Drake

Part of The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012
Genre: Vampire, Paranormal, Young Adult

Today's Giveaway #28 Dead Not Dying

This is one of mine today and it really is horror. Not an uplifting story today, folkes - made myself cry when writing part of it.

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 28th Jul 2012 BST
Day 28: Dead Not Dying

by
Natasha Duncan-Drake

Tigger is old and unwell, which is why Jo thinks it might be time to put her beloved cat out of his misery. However, the vet has one last thing to try. Tigger is like a new cat until it appears his heart gives out, which is when things start to become really weird.

Part of The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012
Genre: Horror

Today's Giveaway #27 Queen of My World

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 27th Jul 2012 BST
Day 27: Queen of My World

by
Sophie Duncan

Alfred has waited a long time for his Egyptian Queen to come into his life, but when he saw Lissy, English student and actress, he knew he had found her. Assisting on a student film is not his idea of recreation, but it brings him closer to Lissy and he puts his plans in motion.

Part of The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012
Genre: Horror

Today's Giveaway #26 - Timothy

Another one of mine today. I have no excuses for it, I was simply inspired - LOL

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 26th Jul 2012 BST
Day 26: Timothy

by
Natasha Duncan-Drake

his title is not suitable for younger readers.

Not many families can claim a dildo as an heirloom, in fact not many would want to. Darcy's family does and according to her mother he's called Timothy. She always knew her family were slightly nuts, but this is weird even for them. The fact her mum assures her he (not it) will help her find true love is pushing it that one step too far.

Part of The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Another one of Soph's today - high fantasy :)

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 25th Jul 2012 BST
Day 25: Song For A Sovereign

by
Sophie Duncan

A thief all her life, a minstrel since she met Gaven, her master, Beriel of Darkwater doesn't like the law and, more importantly, since she uses her magic when she's thieving, she doesn't get on with other magic users. So, when Gaven brings her to a place full of both to sing for her supper, his choices leave Beriel unimpressed and confused. Added to that, the mysterious tent on the hill above the gathering is radiating magic that makes Beriel's toes curl. She knows something is going on, she just can't put her finger on what.

Part of The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012
Genre: Fantasy

Today's Giveaway #24 - The Crosses We Bear

One of mine again today and it's real horror, no punches pulled in this one :)

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 24th Jul 2012 BST
Day 24: The Crosses We Bear

by
Natasha Duncan-Drake

A team bonding weekend in remote Scotland seems like hell on Earth to Lyle Jones, city boy and ad executive; little does he know how right he is. It's a bad idea to touch the crosses on the walls.

Part of The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012

Genre: Horror

Today's Giveaway #23 - A Special Catch

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway for 23rd Jul 2012 BST
Day 23: A Special Catch

by
Sophie Duncan 

This Title Has Adult Content Not Suitable for Minors.

Hayley Delaney is a Roid Wrangler, tracking and rounding up broken and rogue androids. Hayley enjoys her job, she's good at it and she's clearing the streets of potentially dangerous machines. It's just another day for her when she has to follow a damaged roid into the Mulo District of Dagar City, the place where her father was killed by one of The Puppetmaster's hijacked roids. Then she meets a type six that is sending out all the wrong signals. Hayley knows roids, but this one is different and she can't help taking an interest.

Part if The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012

Genre: Science Fiction, M/F Erotica

Today's Giveaway #22 - Connections

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 22nd Jul 2012 BST
Day 22: Connections

by
Natasha Duncan-Drake 

This Title Has Adult Content Not Suitable for Minors.

Commodore Prim Williamson commands a space station in the back end of nowhere thanks to falling out with the Admiralty. Nothing interesting ever happens there, not until an unknown space ship turns up with an Ambassador from a completely new race. Prim is trained for first contact, but the academy never mentioned sex.

Part of The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012

Genre: Science Fiction, Erotica (F/M/M)

Today's Giveaway #20 - All That Glitters

This one is m/m erotic romance and is me playing with clichés :)

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 20th Jul 2012 BST
Day 20: All That Glitters

by
Natasha Duncan-Drake

This Title Has Adult Content Not Suitable for Minors.

Being dumped and then getting drunk had seemed like a good idea at the time. Ending up in a back street being mugged made it seem less so. Luckily for Simon there is a good Samaritan to save the day and quite distinctly turn his life on its head. He never thought he'd meet someone like Philip and, now he has, he doesn't want to let go.

Part if The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012

Genre: Erotica, Romance

Today's Giveaway #18 - God of Love

Okay, so this is one of mine and it's very much m/m erotica. I basically asked myself how I could base a story totally on sex and still have an inkling of a plot and this is it :). Enjoy.

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 18th Jul 2012 BST
Day 18: God of Love

by
Natasha Duncan-Drake

This Title Has Adult Content Not Suitable for Minors.

Brought up in the temple and kept closeted and innocent, as he comes of age, Dran's only purpose is to sacrifice his virginity to his god. He knows nothing about sex, but he's not an idiot and he has a very active imagination. Little does he know that his 'sacrifice' is going to surpass even his wildest dreams. (m/m)

Part of The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012

Genre: Erotica, Fantasy

Today's Giveaway #17 - The End of The Journey Part 2 of 2

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 17th Jul 2012 BST
Day 17: The End of The Journey - Part 2

by
Sophie Duncan

Confused and sedated, Zac Kithrall wakes up on the run and in the care of his worst enemy, Damon Wulfres. Zac is a demon-seer, he's one of the good guys: he helps stop demon-raisers from doing their worst in The Demon War that has run for centuries behind the normal world's back. Damon is a demon-raiser, the son of the most ruthless, Harold Wulfres. Yet, Zac's instincts tell him to trust Damon.
He does not know why.
Part 2 (if you missed part 1, drop us a note at publications@wittegenpress.com)
Part of the Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Fantasy

Today's Giveaway #15 - The Vampire Who Loved Me

Secret agents and vampires in today's offering :)

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
Giveaway: 15th Jul 2012 BST
Day 15: The Vampire Who Loved Me

by
Natasha Duncan-Drake

This Title Has Adult Content Not Suitable for Minors.

David Frederik is running a dangerous cult and Jack Boddington, undercover investigator for an international problem solving agency, has been sent in to bring the man down. The agency's information is top notch, as always: Frederik is posing as a vampire to make his followers worship him and Jack is playing at being a supplicant. There's only one little problem, Frederik isn't pretending and Jack has no defence against fangs.

Part of the Wittegen Press Giveaway Games July 2012

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Menage (M/M/F)