An interesting article linked below on whether giving away free ebooks really helps sell printed books. Cory Doctorow seems to think so, though there are certainly those who disagree.
http://www.locusmag.com/Features/2007/09/cory-doctorow-freekonomic-e-books.html
First question: Would you do it? Would you be willing to give an entire novel away for free to whoever wanted to download it?
Second question: Do you think this would be an effective way to gain an audience, or would it just make you lose money on bookshelf sales?
Doctorow points out that rarely have people read an entire novel off their computer. More than likely, they get the ebook and read a chapter or two, which hopefully snags their interest and provokes them into going out and buying the more eye-friendly book itself. Ebooks can also introduce an author to readers who might otherwise have overlooked them because they would’ve had to risk an initial financial investment on an entirely unknown novel. I have seen Brandon Sanderson doing a lot of this, and his writing career doesn’t seem to be lacking any. Maybe it’s worth giving some thought. I mean, a lot of people already post free chapters or 1/4’s and 1/3’s of a novel online to catch people’s attention. Why not the whole thing?
Ideas? Rants? Raves? Mildly put suggestions?
I see that smile.
ALL of it? for FREE?
That’s just plain nuts.
I like the ‘teaser’ idea better… only have the teaser online and the book in print. If they aren’t published by catch people’s eyes, they can always go to Lulu or something.
Hrm… what was I writing that messed up that last sentence? I can’t remember what I was trying to say.. Sorry for that distorted sentence there.
Maybe you wouldn’t give away every single book that you wrote. There could just be one title that you make available as a, “Hello, this is who I am and this is the type of story I write” sample that people can take for free. If people want to go beyond that, then they can track down the in-print books.
I wouldn’t do it until those other brave souls prove it works. 🙂
I do know someone who reads entire books off his Palm Pilot. He loves Project Gutenberg and he would love taking advantage of this.
I prefer the teaser idea also.
Is it Sony that has developed that $300 ebook reader? I think once something like that has gone mainstream, it will be easier for people to read through electronic means, and that might cut into sales…though at the same time, consider this. How big of an audience can you reach through bookstores compared to the internet? More? Less? Any crossover appeal?
How big of an audience can you reach through bookstores compared to the internet? More? Less? Any crossover appeal?
I would think you reach fewer. The reason books aren’t advertised on television is because that medium doesn’t target book buyers very effectively. I think the internet would have the same problem. People who shop in book stores tend to like reading books; you can’t guarantee that about people who websurf.
Okay, I see what you’re saying. However, I would not do this on one’s debut book.
Plus, most people don’t spend exhorbant amounts of time in front of the computer. To be honest, I much rather the experience of reading all snuggled up in an easy chair under the glow of a lamp sipping coffee. I don’t think I can spend hours on end scrolling down, you know?
And if I have to print it up myself, forget it.. I would rather buy a book. Books are easier to bookmark and come back to, no booting or connection problems. Bah, maybe I’m just old fashioned.
Exorbitant? Whatever.. HUGE, there, that works. That’s my cue to get some sleep and get off your blog! By the way, nice Myspace page… not sure if you wanted an add so I didn’t.
I’ll always welcome an add. Though I’ve been thinking of changing the MySpace format to something with lots of glitter, random songs that play loudly when people arrive on the page, and random surveys that tell your life’s fortune based on your eye color.