Giving away right or wrong?

[jeff ashcroft]

Yes I loved seeing people download my books for free. Mainly, knowing that someone somewhere was reading my work. Work that I had slaved over for nearly a year. Publishing agents ignore you (I suspect they don't even look at 99% percent of submissions)So it's refreshing to know that it's out there and available at last!

But now that  the free giveaways are over I ask.  We're selling our books for so little compared to the hard copies in book shops, so why are people so hesitant to spend, what $1.00? or $1.99?

Kindle owners need to look at the bigger picture and spend that $1.00 wisely on a damn good read. A bargain in anyones budget.

[G. J. Lau]

This has been an interesting and instructive thread. I'm one of the self-publishers who have helped to flood the market with $0.99 e-books. I made my pricing choice out of what I saw as necessity from the viewpoint of an unknown writer. Now I am beginning to see that I didn't really understand the dynamic of people who buy books. I'm doubling the price of my novel, although I plan to keep the shorter works at $0.99. Also, based on what I'm reading here, I plan on taking a hard look at my covers and at my blurbs. Those darned blurbs are more of a struggle than the book itself, or at least it seems that way some times. Looks like people do indeed judge a book by its cover, so I need to reassess the ones I have to make sure they are as good as I can get them. I figure that changing a cover is not as big a deal as changing the ending to the story. Anyway, this has been very helpful.

[jeff ashcroft]

Thanks for all the comments and ideas. It's food for thought. Does anyone know any bloggers that might revue my work then?

cheers

Jeff

[Lanie Malone]

I might be interested, depending on the genre.

[Michael Goldcraft]

Jeff

I completely agree with your observations.  It is a conundrum.  People don't hesitate to spend way more than $ for shipping and handling of many products.  People don't hesitate to drive long distances to go to the mall.  Yet, most people insist on instant gratification.  I don't have the answer, but, like you, and do have the hard invested sweat equity.  Best of luck my friend.  Cheers, Michael Goldcraft.

[Tammy Ruggles]

I like your points, Jeff. Some writing I do for free, some I do for free. 

[Tammy Ruggles]

Oops, I meant, some writing I do for pay.

[melissa love]

Give away can be good and bring in more sales. I just did a contest where bloggers have to join my blog and post a comment. To win my authograph copy of my book.

In April I will do another contest where I will give away an amazon card only if they buy my book and answered three question from my book. (this way I know if they bought it and read it).

Scandalous Secrets blogspot.

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