I promised I would make this post, so I’m finally doing it. 

The argument for one or two free reads

I think a couple free reads is a good idea.  The more books you have out, the more you can offer for free.  I suggest these free reads be your shorter works because people tend to search for new talent and will most likely read a story if it’s short.  So you get maximum impact this way.  If they like your shorter works, they will be apt to buy a longer one.

Don’t have a short story?  Take a “extra scene” from your full-length book and post it for free.  Then give it a good cover and title, because those things do matter, and put it on Smashwords.  You want this short story to be reflective of your best work, so treat it as if it is something you’re getting paid for.  Potentially, it could be something you’re paid for because it might drive sales up on your priced titles.

Now the argument against “all” free reads

Sadly, a lot of people out there assume if it’s free, it’s crap.  They will download your book with the assumption it’s not worth paying for, and this will taint their view of your book.  At least if you just have a couple free reads (instead of all of them), you are weeding out those people rather quickly. 

I don’t know how many people have sent me emails about how “craptastic” my work is.  They then feel the need to correct me on everything from minor editing issues (like starting the sentence with “And”) to things they consider “unrealistic”.  To which I say, whatever.  I do have an editor.  I do have proofreaders.  I even have feedback from readers as I write my work.  So I am professional, regardless of what others believe.  I just don’t have a traditional publisher holding my hand.  (Not that a traditional publisher with their editor ensures quality–a very common misconception.)

Now, I receive a lot of grief as a writer.  Many would probably be surprised by how much I put up with.  And the largest group of whiners are those reading my stuff for free.  This is why I pay attention when they slip in where they got my work.  People who won’t buy a book that is “self-published” are the most ungrateful lot I’ve ever come across.  Despite what people think, a lot of self-published authors take pride in their work and do their best to ensure quality.  This argument that self-published books are a pile of crap is quickly eroding, despite what some people believe. 

So all free books will end up biting you in the butt in the long run.  A lot of people will either complain once you put a price tag on your work (which is your right) or they will never read you again because (you’re not bestselling–what they mean is “NY Times Bestselling, but they’re too stupid to know the difference because they don’t realize that there is more than one bestseller’s list out there than the NY Times one).

All free books leads to the entitlement mentality.  People start thinking that just because they breathe, they are owed free books.  All free books devalue the work of the author and forces the reader into the “Books aren’t worth paying for” idea. 

If you price everything at $0.99, you’ll also get a bunch of “This wasn’t worth $0.99.  I want my money back!” complaints on 1 star reviews.  So don’t price your books too low for an extended period of time either.  Choose a fair price.  Be competitive. But most of all, value yourself.

If there’s nothing else I’ve learned from this mess, it’s that if no one else ever values your work, you need to.  It’s like the slut in high school who had sex with every guy she dated.  No respectable guy wanted to go out with her, and the guys that did dropped her as soon as they got what they wanted.  The slut didn’t find the loyal boyfriend.  She didn’t find someone who valued her for herself, someone who loved her and wanted to marry her and stick by her through thick and thin.  She got used and thrown away.  She was miserable.  Such is the case of the author who offers everything for free. 

In general, people will not respect you.  They won’t respect your work.  They won’t respect your time.  They will see you as a writer goofing off instead of a professional.   They’ll think you need to told how to write and that by posting your books out there, you are asking for feedback on being a better writer.

I’m not saying charging a fair price on your work will buffer you from all of the stuff mentioned in the previous paragraph, but it does buffer you.  The ingrates and biggest lot of whiners will be weeded out since they will only touch free reads.  Then those who pay and complain…. Well, at least they paid for it.  If you have to put up with whiny people via emails and reviews, you might as well be compensated for it.

But remember this if nothing else: you need to value yourself as a professional author.  Otherwise, you’re wide open to accepting all the criticisms people will throw your way.  Just because someone says, “You suck” or “your editing is awful”, it doesn’t mean they’re right.  Writing and reading are subjective.