Can Publishers Give an eBook Away Free That They Normall Sell?

Patrick123 · 09-28-2011, 09:01 AM

I am new to eBook selling but I have been selling paper books for several years. One thing book resellers always do to sell books, is give a low cost book away for free with the purchase of a high priced book. When you sell eBooks through Amazon.com or other eBook service is it possible to give a eBook away for free that you would normally sell?

Thanks
Patrick

Giggleton · 09-28-2011, 12:28 PM

hmm, I took a more philosophical view of your subject. Is it possible for a publisher to sell a book that they give away to anyone who wants it? I think it is possible, not only that, I think it would be better for the culture long term. Also, not putting prices on books would allow those who are willing to contribute to the writer, to contribute as much as they would like to.

This kind of system, where nothing is actually priced will probably have to be instilled in people at a very young age and constantly reinforced before it is accepted, but this is only because our current pricing schemes have been reinforced in this way for years.

But in answer to your question, last time I checked, Amazon does not allow "independent" authors to give books away, although other ebook servers do.

mr ploppy · 09-28-2011, 12:33 PM

Not on Amazon, but you might be able to do it on Smashwords with discount codes.

Lazybones · 09-28-2011, 12:36 PM

I suppose you could create a new edition that includes the text of the second book as a bonus.

starrigger · 09-28-2011, 07:56 PM

You can do it easily on Smashwords, with or without a discount code. Amazon and B&N won't let you do it directly, but sometimes they'll pick up on a lower price elsewhere (such as free at SW), and match the price. That's not under your control, though.

JeremyR · 09-28-2011, 08:28 PM

Unfortunately, it's a major pain to get a book on Smashwords, as they only accept Word documents, not epubs. (Even Amazon takes epubs)

09-28-2011, 09:01 AM	#1
Patrick123 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: Kindel	Can Publishers Give an eBook Away Free That They Normall Sell? I am new to eBook selling but I have been selling paper books for several years. One thing book resellers always do to sell books, is give a low cost book away for free with the purchase of a high priced book. When you sell eBooks through Amazon.com or other eBook service is it possible to give a eBook away for free that you would normally sell? Thanks Patrick

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09-28-2011, 12:28 PM	#2
Giggleton Banned Posts: 1,687 Karma: 4368191 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oregon Device: Kindle3	hmm, I took a more philosophical view of your subject. Is it possible for a publisher to sell a book that they give away to anyone who wants it? I think it is possible, not only that, I think it would be better for the culture long term. Also, not putting prices on books would allow those who are willing to contribute to the writer, to contribute as much as they would like to. This kind of system, where nothing is actually priced will probably have to be instilled in people at a very young age and constantly reinforced before it is accepted, but this is only because our current pricing schemes have been reinforced in this way for years. But in answer to your question, last time I checked, Amazon does not allow "independent" authors to give books away, although other ebook servers do.

09-28-2011, 12:33 PM	#3
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	Not on Amazon, but you might be able to do it on Smashwords with discount codes.

09-28-2011, 12:36 PM	#4
Lazybones Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 1719250 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sacramento Device: Kindle	I suppose you could create a new edition that includes the text of the second book as a bonus.

09-28-2011, 07:56 PM	#5
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	You can do it easily on Smashwords, with or without a discount code. Amazon and B&N won't let you do it directly, but sometimes they'll pick up on a lower price elsewhere (such as free at SW), and match the price. That's not under your control, though.

09-28-2011, 08:28 PM	#6
JeremyR Guru Posts: 973 Karma: 2458402 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Louis Device: Kindle Keyboard, Nook HD+	Unfortunately, it's a major pain to get a book on Smashwords, as they only accept Word documents, not epubs. (Even Amazon takes epubs)

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