Free books have been a hot topic on one of my authors groups this week, with good reason. Which other creative genre do you know where it is becoming ‘expected’ for you to give your work away for free, non gratis? None? That’s right none. Whilst the internet has brought us many great and wonderful things, free books, in my humble opinion are not one of them. Don’t get me wrong, competitions, advanced reader copies not a problem – that’s part of the marketing. What irks me, is the expectation that you should give your books away, for free. Imagine a silversmith working away on a beautiful pendant. Months spent even years, honing and perfecting their work. Would you expect him to give it to you for free? Personally I wouldn’t!
I write because I love it, it is my passion, my obsession. I place a value on what I do and I expect others to do the same. Giving away free books, permanently, says to me – I do not value you or your work. It is the principle that is conveyed when that transaction is made. Now the transaction may mean very little in financial terms, but what it says to me as a person is overwhelming. It says I respect & value what you do. You don’t walk into a store and expect the manager to say oh everything is free from now on, do you? So why do people expect it from authors?
Yes of course we all like free stuff I’m not talking about buy 1 get 1 free or sale prices, these are marketing tactics for short periods of time. I’m talking about authors giving away their books free, permanently. By having to pay even if it is only £1.00 you have committed, you have invested. Far too often I am hearing of people who just download free book upon free book, with no intention of actually reading them. I can’t blame them, they were free, so why not? These I am reliably informed are called ‘freebie hunters’. It could be shower gel or cotton wool, they don’t care as long as it’s free.Now where is the value in that? Excuse me while I readjust my soap box. Ah that’s better…
Whilst a few authors may see an initial rise in their sales, I am told by many publishers this is not sustained. So what has been achieved? Has the writer gained future readers – no, have they received more reviews – no, have they given away shed loads of books to people who don’t give a flying fig – doh yes, I think so. For me its not about stroking someones ego because they ‘just have to sell sell sell’. It’s about acknowledging writing is a creative process that is valued.
Some fellow authors and I are coming together to try and pull things back to centre. You may agree or disagree, that is up to you. All I ask is that you think about it seriously. These are of course, just my thoughts. Each one of us must decide for ourselves, what’s right for us.
If you are interested in the Valued Authors Coalition then you can find us here:
This reminds me of back in the day when people were into downloading “free” music. Yes, that was illegal, and authors giving away their books is not, but it’s essentially representative of the same attitude that there’s no value in the product. So sad.
Absolutely Diane, it is really similar. Both music and books are so powerful yet so undervalued. Someone, somewhere with a much greater mind than mine may be able to explain it, I most certainly can’t. The more I think about it the sadder it makes me feel.
Thanks Alicia. It’s so important. Sometimes we need our voices to be heard.
AGREE!!! A reader has the option to “look inside” the book before purchase. “Back in the day”, before internet, we read the back to see if it sounded interesting. Honestly, there are very few books that I put down without reading the entire thing. As you said, I invested in it. I’ve read many reviews of favorite authors, and I always get a little irked when they leave a bad review, and say they didn’t finish the book. They don’t care to. It was free. Easy to toss aside. I believe authors need to pull together, and stop this trend.
Thanks for stopping by Lisa. I completely agree, every reader has the option of reading the blurb to see if it’s something they may like.
I work too hard to give away my books. I am not self-published because I do not believe in paying someone to publish my work. I wrote the book–I should benefit from my effort if the book is worthwhile. Pretty simple. Thanks for the post.
Agree totally with you Susan. Thanks for stopping by.
We authors work hard but unfortunately have thought offering our books for free would help us be noticed. I agree with you that it doesn’t. While I certainly understand contests, etc., but it is not right for this to be what is expected.
Thanks Kara, it’s the expectation that our work should be free that troubles me. Thanks for stopping by.
Nicely said, Nicole! Although I bought into this method for a while, none of my books now are permafree. Here’s to hoping that we do make a difference, readers don’t fill their e-reader with free materials and look around more before choosing. (And then buy ours! 😉 )
Thanks for stopping by MJ, here’s to making a difference 🙂