Sending PDF files to bloggers for review

[Irina Shapiro]

So, I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday, and she mentioned that a PDF of a popular book is circlulating online, making it unnecessary for people to buy it.  I've heard of this happening before, and began to wonder, how safe it is to send PDF's of your work to bloggers.  Sure, everyone assures you that the document will be deleted after it's read, but there is no way to check that it's not forwarded to a third party.  So, here is my question.  Is it safe to send PDF files to bloggers for review?

Irina Shapiro

www.irinashapiro.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375

[John M. H. Pratt]

I hope so, I've sent mine to three people so far... I might be naive but I tend to trust people.

[Alison M.]

It's safe as long as you trust the blogger.

[Irina Shapiro]

It's hard to trust people you've never met. 

[Alison M.]

I realize that but you can 'research' the blogger. There are some bloggers who have "giveaways" of digital ARCs. Those would be the type of people to avoid. Talk to other authors who have worked with the blogger. You can only do so much but you can get a general feel for how a blogger works.

[Jenna Lynne]

That is not necessarily true. I understand what you're saying but a lot of authors have authorized reputable reviewers to host a giveaway of an ARC. I have entered many. If you do NOT want a giveaway of your book, just let the blogger know - this is for reviewing purposes only, not giveaways.

[Alison M.]

I'm talking about digital ARCs as in the files emailed to the reviewer or books they got from NetGalley. Those are not to be changed hands. Physical ARCs are a whole different ball game.

[Richard Lee Byers]

In absolute terms, it's not safe, but there is no way to send out review copies that does absolutely preclude piracy. So you must weigh the risk against the potential reward. I think that if you're an indie author trying to attract notice and build a following, you should trust the reviewers. After all, it does you precious little good to be the author a book that nobody ever stole but nobody ever bought or heard of, either.

[Irina Shapiro]

Yes, you are right, and that's why I went ahead and sent it anyway. 

[Kea Noli]

Irina,

Is it safe? Not when there is a copy button.  But there are other ways to protect your work.

[Irina Shapiro]

Do you mean by copyrighting your work?

[Kea Noli]

Irina,

pdfs are the easiest to copy. I use other formats.

I ran a successful design business because I did not rely on trust or blind faith.

But the point is promotion—how to do it, as an equal trade, without giving away your work.

The question is: which format is the most difficult to copy?  Taking the incentive out of free distribution, and whichever it is—use it. Kea

[Irina Shapiro]

So, which is the most difficult to copy???