Author pirates own book, increases sales

benbradley · Jan 25, 2008

I thought this is an interesting story (I heard as far back as 10 years ago that putting up a free download of a book increases its print copy sales), though I'm not sure if this is the exact forum for it. I didn't see a forum named "Novel [pun intended] Promotion Ideas" so here it is:

Paulo Coelho, the best-selling author of “The Alchemist”, is using BitTorrent and other filesharing networks as a way to promote his books. His publishers weren’t too keen on giving away free copies of his books, so he’s taken matters into his own hands.

http://torrentfreak.com/alchemist-author-pirates-own-books-080124/

Cranky · Jan 25, 2008

I've read an entire novel for free as well, offered by the author on their website. You know what? It's paid off...I'm buying the rest of the books in that series. It hooked me, and I'm flopping like a fish on the line.

In fact, I'm planning to buy the one I read for free, cuz I like re-reading books, number one, and number two...just cuz.

Shadow_Ferret · Jan 25, 2008

I can't read on a screen. Granted I haven't seen any of the new ebooks (assuming I could justify one), but reading novels onscreen isn't comfortable for me. I've tried the ones over at the gutenberg project. I guess I just love paper.

That said, if it works for him, great, I have no intention of giving my stuff away for free. Well, except for my blog writing, but that isn't intended to be sellable. That's just for fun.

IceCreamEmpress · Jan 25, 2008

That's great for him.

I hate when people excuse the piracy of other people's intellectual property by referring to successful self-advertising experiments like this. (Not saying you were doing that, Ben, but it happens all the time.)

It's his book; he can give it away if he wants or sell it if he wants, as long as his publishers don't sue him for breach of contract.

Heck, I started buying Eclipse gum because someone gave me some sample packages on the street; that doesn't mean it's OK for me to go into a store and just grab another gum without paying.

L M Ashton · Jan 25, 2008

Isn't there a thread on this same topic in the novel writing forum?

KTC · Jan 25, 2008

There is already a thread, yes. Exact same discussion.

L M Ashton · Jan 25, 2008

Good to know I'm not hallucinating.

Thanks.

Popeyesays · Jan 25, 2008

benbradley said:
I thought this is an interesting story (I heard as far back as 10 years ago that putting up a free download of a book increases its print copy sales), though I'm not sure if this is the exact forum for it. I didn't see a forum named "Novel [pun intended] Promotion Ideas" so here it is:

Paulo Coelho, the best-selling author of “The Alchemist”, is using BitTorrent and other filesharing networks as a way to promote his books. His publishers weren’t too keen on giving away free copies of his books, so he’s taken matters into his own hands.

http://torrentfreak.com/alchemist-author-pirates-own-books-080124/

The Baen Free Library is pretty extensive. And its purpose is to promote sales of other books. You can download for free the first two Honor Harrington books, the first two John Ringo Posleen war stories, etc..

The idea was the late Jim Baen and the library continues to grow.

Regards,
Scott

Unique · Jan 26, 2008

You Had Me at 'Hello' -

Author pirates own book, increases sales

LOL!

Maybe they read too much fanfic and realized how many good ideas got away ... just a thought.

Author pirates own book, increases sales

benbradley

It's a doggy dog world

Cranky

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

L M Ashton

crazy spec fic writer

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

L M Ashton

crazy spec fic writer

Popeyesays

Now departed. Rest in peace, Scott, from all of us

Unique

Agent of Doom