Quote:
Originally Posted by murraypaul
However, putting up on Amazon for free does. The last three books I've bought have been book 2s where the first book was a freebie. I'd never heard of any of the authors before.
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You're one of those who look for freebies in areas that interest you, download them, and if you like them, consider buying and downloading other books by that author. It's a valid model, and its how the Baen Free Library works.
The question is how many other folks are like you, and how many sales the authors make and what revenue they get from publishing on Amazon.
My basic feeling is self-publishing is an appropriate route to take in two general cases:
One: You're an established author with a following created by being successfully published by a traditional publisher. You already have a market. There are a fair number of authors who now have the electronic rights to back catalog of their books and are looking at this option.
Two: You just want to write, and publish what you write. Doing so is its own reward. You don't really expect to make any real money at it, and don't plan to quit your day job.
If you don't fall into either of those categories, and want to make your living, or a significant fraction of it, from published work, self-publishing is problematic at best, and you are strongly advised
not to give up your day job.
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Dennis