Question re. putting a free ebook on Amazon and Smashwords

I have two books coming out next year with a small publisher. I have a novella already written in the same genre, and have my publisher's blessing to self-pub it in order to gain some market presence beforehand.

I was going to offer it as a free ebook (it won a contest a little while ago and has to stay online for a year yet. I've checked and I'm free to ebook it, but I feel more comfortable not charging for something available for free elsewhere--I won contest money anyway). However, it looks like I might not be able to list it on Amazon or Smashwords as free. Is this right?

If I can list it as free, as a UK author, will I need a US tax code or ITIN number to put the books up on those venues? I will be applying for one for my published books, but need to know if I should do it sooner rather than later.

All advice is much appreciated. Thanks

James D. Macdonald said:

You can publish it at Smashwords for free, no problem.

The lowest price you can charge at Kindle is, IIRC, $0.99.

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Thanks--much appreciated. I might tweak a bit and add some extra material so I feel justified in charging on Kindle (can you get Kindle formats on Smashwords? You can, can't you?).

Captcha said:

What's the genre? If Romance, try All Romance e-books. They take free stories, and have quite a wide sales base.

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It is indeed romance. That's an awesome idea--thank you!

And thanks re. the Kindle info, J Tanner.

Thanks Shelleyo. I'm going to do some research on Google, blogs etc.

shelleyo said:

Just saw elsewhere how some are doing it. Put it on Smashwords free and let it distribute free to Barnes and Noble and wherever else it goes.

Then go to Amazon (or you might have to have someone else do it for you) and click the link below the publishing information on the book's page that says "let us know of a lower price" and report the free price elsewhere. Amazon will then lower it to $0, though I don't know how long it takes.

Shelley

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Brilliant. Thank you!

girlyswot said:

You don't need an ITIN number to put the book up at either Amazon or Smashwords. If you ever start charging, then it might be worth getting one to avoid paying unnecessary US tax, but while it's free, you won't be doing that anyway.

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Thanks. I will be getting one, but probably not until the new year.

I've been playing on Amazon/Smashwords and can see I won't need to put one in.