Should authors hand out free copies of their books?
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (44504)
Staten Island, New York
June 27, 2017 1:49pm CST
I remember some years ago I told someone about one of my books and he was very interested in it. I was so excited about that and was ready to tell the person where he can get a copy. Turned out that he was not planning on buying it. He expected me to give him a free copy and it had to be autographed. That didn't sit well with me. Why should I hand out free copies and signed ones at that?
In my opinion, people should not demand a free copy of a book from an author, especially a signed one. If people want a certain book they should buy it. Not only are they supporting the author, but it also shows they are, in fact, interested in the book.
And that is why authors should not hand out free books. People may take the books because they are FREE (who doesn't like free stuff?) and not because they are actually interested in the books and in reading them.
The only justified reason to give a free copy to someone would be in exchange for a book review. But doing so does not guarantee that the person will actually leave a review or even read the book for that matter...
What do you guys think about this?
7 people like this
9 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
27 Jun 17
The author has a number of books for him/her fixed by the contract with the publisher, the rest is the business of the publisher who has to promote the book, and there is always a number of free books reserved for this promotion. In France they are usually printed or stamped "media service" with sometimes a "cannot be sold" mention. As an author, I think that more the promotion is good and more I will earn on the books sold, so I am 100% for these free copies.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
27 Jun 17
@lovebuglena Sorry, I did not thought at self-published authors, and I do not know how Lulu works, I have only been with regular/paper books publishers in my country. How are you doing the promotion of your books if you do not distribute some of them to professionals giving reviews in magazines/blogs ? Have you a group of bookstores diffusing them or are they only available online ? Some signing sessions ? Sorry to be curious
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.@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
27 Jun 17
It depends on how an author publishes the book and with who. Self-published or independently-published authors do not get free copies to give to people. They may not even get a free author copy either. At least that is the way it is with books published on Lulu.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
27 Jun 17
I think it's rude to ask anyone for anything for free. If someone offers that's one thing but no one should expect anything for free.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
27 Jun 17
Yes. And no one should expect to get anything for free either. Because chances are that is never going to happen.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
28 Jun 17
I think if I am going to review a book and help promote it then giving me a free copy is a good idea but for others, no, you worked hard on the book and deserve to earn from it.
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
4 Jul 17
When I go grocery shopping, if I see Buy One, Get One Free, I will usually buy. Maybe if you offer a free book for the purchase of one book you'll get more buyers. It's a thought.
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
4 Jul 17
I can only do that if I buy copies of my own books and sell them myself... I have never done that. People just buy them on their own. It could be a good idea though...
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
27 Jun 17
Agree. There were a few instances where some people asked to borrow a book of mine. I gave it to them but they never returned it.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
27 Jun 17
@Courtlynn When a person borrows a book from the library he/she has to return it. Same should apply when borrowing books from people. I guess for some that's not the case. Hey, there are people that borrow more than just books and never return what they borrow.
1 person likes this
@Meramar (2695)
•
27 Jun 17
There are several reasons why authors write books and one of them is to earn money as it was a job you have done. But, on the other side, it's also a way to do marketing getting new fans or readers if you continue writing. A person who never read one of your books, might not be sure if he or she likes how you write. So occasionally you may give one for free as a present. If that person likes what he or she reads, will buy one the next time you write another one and will tell to other readers about your job.
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
27 Jun 17
When authors write and publish books as a main way to make a living, rather than a side hobby, the last thing they want to do is give away free copies as every sale goes toward their living expenses.
For me, I do not consider writing and publishing books as a main way to make a living, yet I still don't want to give away free copies because then other people will start asking me for free copies as well. Plus, not working right now, ever sale helps financially.
1 person likes this
@Meramar (2695)
•
28 Jun 17
@lovebuglena That's an acceptable way of thinking. Of course, every author is free to decide what to do with his or her books. Personally, I also rather prefer to sell them. That's why to increase my sales, sometimes I give away one free copy to someone special. But, each author has to decide on his or her own how to handle the free copies. Every decision is correct, I mean, there is no right or wrong way.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
28 Jun 17
It all depends on what their attitude is.
Not for me to say who gives books away or not.
Could be a good thing, bit difficult this one as you are right people love free things also.
Perhaps if they could get to see a bit of a Chapter of the book for free say like published in a pdf that could be good also.
That way you are not giving away the book itself and you are letting yourself be more known.
@prashu228 (37524)
• India
28 Jun 17
No free copies should not be given. If you are giving free copies then what is the use if writing and how do writers earn.
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
1 Jul 17
I agree. But what about someone that puts together and publishes poetry anthologies? Should free copies be given out to poets that took part in an anthology? Some people claim that free copies must be given out to participating poets and that a budget should be allocated for that by those that publish these anthologies. Some even believe it's a scam if they have to buy their own copies of the book.
@Kelsss_96 (2)
•
27 Jun 17
I agree with what you're saying. I wouldn't give out a book for free unless it was for charity. If they wanted an autographed book they should be their own or attend a book signing!
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
27 Jun 17
I think I gifted some copies of my books to my relatives/friends in the past but I do not do that anymore. They of all people should wanna support me as an author by getting the books themselves.
