[crossi]

Maybe. But if not free they might not have got those readers to even try it, so they haven't lost a possible sale anyway. What's the difference between no sale at all and a freeby that is never read? In paper it would make a difference, the publisher has actually lost something material that he could have sold to someone else. In ebooks not so much.

Besides, an author should have confidence, even if misplaced, in their product. If you don't think your books are good enough to encourage other sales, you need another occupation.