You aren't looking then, huge amounts of Freeware, Shareware and Donationware available across the net... and a lot of it is very good quality...
Also Baen's not giving away an unpublished first in a series... these are all previously released Hardcover/MMPB from established authors so hardly needing to find a new line of work if unsuccessful... they are always part of a popular existing series and yes, if they get liked then they have acquired a buyer for the rest so great idea to keep both current and backlists viable...
Quote:
Originally Posted by GA Russell
I remember twenty years ago when shareware was a popular concept for computer programs. You downloaded the program, and then if you liked it you sent the company ten dollars. It worked on the honor system.
I suppose that didn't work out too well, because I haven't seen much shareware in years, although I sometimes see it at tucows.
What makes more sense to me is giving away the first book of a series for free, like Baen does. If nobody likes the book, the author needs to find a new line of work. But if they do, the author has customers for the remainder of the series.
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