Giving Away Books As An Author

I have great news! My new website is being worked on and will launch in due time! We're getting closer and for that, I'm super excited! I have a few special blog posts I'm saving for the big launch, but for now...we'll talk about something that relates to both authors AND readers. I'd love your thoughts in the comment section. 

Should Authors Give Away Their Books For Free?

When I started in this business it seemed common to give away free books to readers in an attempt to grow a reader list. This makes a lot of sense when you're just starting out. Or, offer the book for a low fee, say $.99. A few months ago, in a chat with my sister, she practically scolded me for doing that. Her comment was something like, "Why would you devalue yourself like that? You worked really hard on that book, and did something so many others are unable to do. If someone wants to read your book, they can pay the already small fee of $3.99 or $11.99 for a paperback." 

I'll be honest, I still don't feel right charging that much for Shattered Yesterdays. (More on that later). Now that Chasing Time is out in the world, I can't bring myself to put that on Amazon Freebie days, or lower to a $.99 e-book price, even for a few days. This isn't because of what my sister said, though I can understand why she said that. But, I did work hard on Chasing Time. And I believe in my heart that it is a great story with a strong message. I only have 5 reviews on Amazon, 4 reviews/ratings on Goodreads so far, but over 30 people have Chasing Time in their hands, or on their bookshelves. Those who don't leave reviews on sites like Amazon (which I get) have reached out personally and applauded me for the story. So I'm pretty confident that the book is a good read. 

So how do I find readers without just giving my hard work away? 

Ways I Find Readers Without Giving Books Away For Free:

1. Local Businesses. 

One of my favorite things to do is support small businesses. As a small business myself I understand how important support is in times like these. When Andie, from Simply Andie's here in Thief River Falls offered to carry my book(s) for a small fee of the profit, I was thrilled! This was it. My big break! I'm not in Barnes and Noble, but I'm in a shop that's not Amazon. I'm thankful for Amazon because without them I couldn't get my books into Andie's shop...but I mean...it's still a dream come true. Not only does she get business, but so do I. It's a great partnership and I'm so thankful for businesses like Simply Andie's. Visit her FB page and follow, as she has online sales often! 

2. Local Events. 

One of my conditions for after my husband's military retirement was that I wanted to live in a small town. Moving to Minnesota meant living 3,000 miles or so away from my family, so at least a small town would abate me for the big move. We landed here, and other than the senseless drama on the community FB pages, I love this town. Not only do I have an excellent job as a substitute teacher, a nice backyard that once the dog's mess from winter is cleaned up I'll be able to enjoy and garden in, there's so many local community events. I've signed up for two so far this summer and I can't wait to watch my readership grow. First up is the Thief River Falls Wine and Art Walk. I am signed up to have a booth and have been slowly building my stock to have on hand. I'm told that event has nearly 300 people attend. Then another event in August that has loads of people coming through from various towns. 

3. Leaving Bookmarks Around. 

I have bookmarks I've created for Chasing Time that I carry in my bag when I go to the doctor, shopping, and etc. Is it a waste of money? I'll never know, but I am very selective of where I leave them. This gives people the information they need to find me on my website, or where my book can be purchased and it's the ultimate way towards authentic readership. I hope to create swag in the next two to three years, and do giveaways. 

Final Thoughts:

Giving your book away for free in an effort to gain readers is not a bad thing to do. It goes along with the concept of "It takes money to make money," and can be a smart marketing plan. However, there are other ways to get your name out there. It just may take a little more time. The question is how much patience do you have? And does it weigh at all against how you value your craft? 

That's all I have for now. Looking to get FIRST TO KNOW news and updates about my work, giveaways, polls, a chance to be part of the writing process? Join my newsletter. Next email will be out April 15th, 2025. There's a freebie waiting for you when you sign up. Engagement is key, and spam folders love to snag the emails and hide them. Be sure to check there if you haven't gotten anything within 5 minutes after signing up. Happy Reading! 

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