Yes!
Someone has finally said it.
I have not yet ventured into giving my books away for free, because I’m old-fashioned, and I expect to be paid for work I’ve done. I admit I’ve written a short story as a loss leader, which will be free as soon as this current 90 days in KDP select is finished and I can put it out on other outlets (free already if you sign up to my newsletter on the dedicated page on this site, hint, hint), but a full length novel?
Not for me. I will grit my teeth and use 99c/99p promotions to raise my Amazon ranking, but writing a book takes blood, sweat and tears (and money) to get it out there, so I really don’t see why I should give it away for free.
I’m stubborn that way, and I’ve been paid for my writing all my life (magazine features, non-fiction books, and now website copy), and it is part of my business structure.
She’s tight, you may say, but I’m used to working for myself, and at the end of the day I still have to pay the mortgage – this is not a hobby.
I know I’m guilty of filling my own kindle with free books, most of which I shall never read, but if I see a book I really fancy, I will still pay real money for it.
It’s about time we started to reverse this trend, or pretty soon authors will be unable to earn a living wage.
Go read the original, and share if you agree.
Everything, that’s what!!!
The fact that today’s readers of eBooks demand it must be free or on offer as part of an all you can read for x number of dollars per month package deal, is just so wrong!
Face it people, when you go to your supermarket to get your groceries, or to any other retail outlet you care to name, do you get what you want for nothing? No of course not. So why should you expect to get a book for free? I’ve heard some people claim it should be free because an eBook isn’t a real book, only an electronic file. Good grief morons, try engaging your brains for once in your lives! These same idiots argue that they should be able to download their favourite music for free as well. I have just two words on that subject – Taylor Swift!!!
Thanks to Amazon belabouring…
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deborahjay 
Great info and opinions. (standing ovation)
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Hear, hear.
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Glad to see Jack’s post getting a lot of press Deb! 🙂
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Me too – it is a great topic, and so often avoided.
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It sure is. While we’re on the topic of sales, I’m quite confused with Amazon’s pricing of UK books with VAT included. May I ask what price you put on a 2.99 US book in pounds?
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I keep it simple and set it at £2.99 – that means it costs more in the UK, but not so much that it doesn’t sell. I started it at £2.49 but that looks a bit odd, so I just upped it without any appreciable difference to sales.
You can equally well just let Amazon set it, but then you may end up with a rather odd looking figure according to exchange rates.
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Ya, they’re putting it at 1.99 ??
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In that case I should untick the box that says do it automatically, and set your own price.
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Thanks, will do! 🙂 Unfortunately, I’ve just set a book for promo and KDP won’t let me change just yet. UK bargain coming up, lol. I’ll change after. 🙂
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