Free or Pass? - Page 2

nomesque · 11-18-2009, 05:57 PM

At the moment, to be honest, I only get ebooks which are free. I don't have an ebook reader yet, and I find reading from an LCD screen bearable, but only in small amounts. That kind of kills the 'pleasure' part of reading for me, enough that I'm therefore not willing to pay for ebooks. Yet. Once I DO have an ebook reader, I'm fairly sure that my reading and spending habits will change dramatically

Katti's Cat · 11-18-2009, 06:02 PM

Thanks for the reminder - had forgotten I wanted to buy your book

.

I am more than happy to pay for books from unknown (to me) authors if I like the storyline. The price of US$2 is affordable but I especially like that you offer a whole range of files. Even as a newbie to eBooks I tend to stay clear of those that are only on offer in pdf.

Sure, everyone loves freebies and I download them. But I am more than happy to pay for books and support authors to keep them nourished so they don't faint halfway through their next book.

Sorry, will be going soon, got a new book to read

Connallmac · 11-18-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumboz

How does 75% sound?

Sounds great! The sample is now set to be sent to my DX the next time I turn my whispernet on. Thank you kindly, I look forward to giving it a read!

plumboz · 11-18-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connallmac

Sounds great! The sample is now set to be sent to my DX the next time I turn my whispernet on. Thank you kindly, I look forward to giving it a read!

I appreciate that! I'm honestly not sure how much of a sample Amazon does for the Kindle (that is the whispernet thing, isn't it?). The 75% I mentioned is what I set for my sample on Smashwords. And of course I've had the opening chapters on my blog for some time. It has seemed logical to me that being able to get a feel for a book by somebody you've never heard of is pretty essential.

Alan

P.S. My apologies for seeming like I was trying to clog the place up with three identical threads. I just really wanted to know how people felt about this (and it's been educational) and I wasn't sure there was a lot of cross traffic between those three boards. I understand why Patricia closed the other two.

Connallmac · 11-18-2009, 07:22 PM

Well I downloaded the Smashwords mobi sample too, so I will report back as to which is longer. I highly suspect the Smashwords to be the victor here.

Tattncat · 11-18-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumboz

Hi,

For several weeks I was offering coupons for my novel Boomerang at a few ebook forums, including here at mobileread. The response was really nice, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a few dozen actual sales both on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle along with a few hundred free downloads.

My question is this: As an ebook person, do you only check out a new author if his/her work can be gotten for free?

And if so, if you find a writer you like through free offers, are you apt to tell others about your discovery?

Thanks!
Alan

Absolutely, that's is the main method (of late) that I have been finding new authors. Now, I cruise around regularly seeing what I can find.

Billjr13 · 11-18-2009, 08:41 PM

Alan thanks again for the book. I am much more likely to buy a book from a new author if I can read a sample of his book. This is what most of us do in bookstores, pick it up read some pages, if we are intrigued we buy it. I would say 25-50% is more reasonable. If you go with more than 25% I would say to skip some pages after the first 25% so the story is broken up a bit. Drop a page or two after every 10 pages.

garygibsonsf · 11-18-2009, 09:45 PM

Plumboz - I published a friend's book on Smashwords recently and noticed it has a 'pay if you like' option that lets people download it for free, but leaving them the option to pay for it only if they want to ('name your own price'). Maybe that's worth exploring?

If anyone's curious, that book I put up on Smashwords is here.

ficbot · 11-19-2009, 12:29 AM

I would say an outright freebie guarantees I will download it, but it may take me awhile to get to. As far as purchasing goes, I need at least a free excerpt these days. I could spend years just getting through my Project Gutenberg to read list, never mind the stuff I have bought, paid for and not yet gotten to. Fictionwise is having another multiformat sale and I have a 15% off coupon on top of that so I was tempted to clear out my wishlist. But some of the books on it have only fair to middling reviews, and I just have SO MUCH to read right now...

Actually, much as I love to get stuff for free, I have to admit, a free sample is more likely to get me reading the book than an outright freebie because the outright freebie can always be just downloaded and shelved to read later. But if I buy something based on a free sample, it probably means I liked the bit I read already and I am invested to get it and finish it now. That happened once, actually, my sister loaned me an ebook (I was staying with her at the time) and it had an excerpt at the end of the author's other book, which I bought for myself when I was back at home.

I view the excerpt as the digital equivalent to reading the first chapter or so while standing in the store. And given how much great stuff is competing for my reading time right now, I am much less willing to shell out cash for something unless it comes recommended by someone I trust or unless I can get at least a sample first.

plumboz · 11-19-2009, 08:23 AM

I've been posting this question on a few boards, because I really want to get some sort of handle as to what attracts readers to check something out and what puts them off immediately. More than one response has indicated that the synopsis is critical.

I had to cut a good portion of Boomerang's original backcover copy to fit the Smashwords limitations. Not sure if that hurt, or if the more succinct copy works better.

Amazon: Ted Hogwood's beloved Sarah, a jazz guitar, is in the window of Topp Dollar Pawn. The only way he can get the money to rescue her is to accept an assignment from the AABC, a not nearly official branch of the United States intelligence community. He is partnered with Jerry Kwiatkowski, master of the Hammond B-3 organ and chronic flatulence sufferer, to steal a boomerang containing secrets that should have died with J. Edgar Hoover over thirty years ago. It would be a simple job if only they knew what they were doing. And if a crossbow wielding assassin, two unemployed Australian women, The Director of Central Intelligence and a clothing optional former onion festival queen were not also hot on the boomerang's trail.

Smashwords: Ted Hogwood's beloved guitar is in the window of Topp Dollar Pawn. The only way he can get the money to rescue her is to accept an assignment from the AABC, a not nearly official branch of the US intelligence community. He is partnered with Jerry Kwiatkowski to steal a boomerang containing secrets that should have died with J. Edgar Hoover. It would be simple if they knew what they were doing.

Katti's Cat · 11-19-2009, 04:44 PM

Got the book on my reader and it's waiting to be read. As I read everything I just go through my titles, started at 'A' so shouldn't be far off. The Smashword backcover copy made me interested and curious and I am looking forward to the book.

I think it's much better than the Amazon backcover. Sweet and short that's how I like backcovers.

I don't 'test' read books. If a backcover doesn't grap my attention I don't bother reading one page of it. So I either read the lot or nothing. I actually deleted all book excerpts from the reader that game preloaded.

Test chapter / Excerpts have the same effect as if someone waves a piece of chocolate under my nose and then eats it.

I don't mind paying a small amount for a book that turns out not so flash because I usually still get some enjoyment out of it. Beats paying AUD30 for it and throwing it against the wall. Although ...

grooks · 11-19-2009, 04:53 PM

I purchased the book last night and have downloaded it to my 600. I'm taking a 4 day trip to Cancun next month and will probably read it while sitting on the beach.

I usually like to get recommendations before reading a new author but in a few cases, if the price is low enough, I will take a chance.

plumboz · 11-19-2009, 09:34 PM

Hi Katti's Cat and grooks,

Thanks for purchasing Boomerang. I do hope you enjoy it.

Alan

plumboz · 11-21-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billjr13

Alan thanks again for the book.

Billjr13,

And please forgive me if I haven't said Thank You before. I appreciate every reader I have and I hope Boomerang entertains.

Alan

plumboz · 11-21-2009, 01:53 AM

And a really big thanks to dreams for Boomerang's first review on Smashwords.

Review by: dreams on Nov. 20, 2009 : star star star star star
Great fun from start to finish. The various antics of the characters had me laughing out loud as I visualized the situations. I loved following the old lady sisters, Amelia and Doreen (they were so real that I could almost hear their conversations) and Ted and Jerry (that guy had more stuff he was into than poor Ted could keep up with). If that wasn't enough, add in the alphabet soup of government agencies and “the clothing optional former onion festival queen". I had no idea how it was going to end and couldn't wait to find out. This will definitely be on my to-be-read-again list.

11-18-2009, 06:02 PM	#17
Katti's Cat Wizard Posts: 2,259 Karma: 175640 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Sony PRS-600	Thanks for the reminder - had forgotten I wanted to buy your book. I am more than happy to pay for books from unknown (to me) authors if I like the storyline. The price of US$2 is affordable but I especially like that you offer a whole range of files. Even as a newbie to eBooks I tend to stay clear of those that are only on offer in pdf. Sure, everyone loves freebies and I download them. But I am more than happy to pay for books and support authors to keep them nourished so they don't faint halfway through their next book. Sorry, will be going soon, got a new book to read

11-19-2009, 08:23 AM	#25
plumboz Novelist Posts: 591 Karma: 452032 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Arizona Device: Nook	Backcover copy? I've been posting this question on a few boards, because I really want to get some sort of handle as to what attracts readers to check something out and what puts them off immediately. More than one response has indicated that the synopsis is critical. I had to cut a good portion of Boomerang's original backcover copy to fit the Smashwords limitations. Not sure if that hurt, or if the more succinct copy works better. Amazon: Ted Hogwood's beloved Sarah, a jazz guitar, is in the window of Topp Dollar Pawn. The only way he can get the money to rescue her is to accept an assignment from the AABC, a not nearly official branch of the United States intelligence community. He is partnered with Jerry Kwiatkowski, master of the Hammond B-3 organ and chronic flatulence sufferer, to steal a boomerang containing secrets that should have died with J. Edgar Hoover over thirty years ago. It would be a simple job if only they knew what they were doing. And if a crossbow wielding assassin, two unemployed Australian women, The Director of Central Intelligence and a clothing optional former onion festival queen were not also hot on the boomerang's trail. Smashwords: Ted Hogwood's beloved guitar is in the window of Topp Dollar Pawn. The only way he can get the money to rescue her is to accept an assignment from the AABC, a not nearly official branch of the US intelligence community. He is partnered with Jerry Kwiatkowski to steal a boomerang containing secrets that should have died with J. Edgar Hoover. It would be simple if they knew what they were doing.

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11-18-2009, 05:57 PM	#16
nomesque Snooty Bestselling Author Posts: 1,485 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ipswich, QLD, Australia Device: PRS-650	At the moment, to be honest, I only get ebooks which are free. I don't have an ebook reader yet, and I find reading from an LCD screen bearable, but only in small amounts. That kind of kills the 'pleasure' part of reading for me, enough that I'm therefore not willing to pay for ebooks. Yet. Once I DO have an ebook reader, I'm fairly sure that my reading and spending habits will change dramatically

11-18-2009, 07:22 PM	#20
Connallmac Transplanted NYer Posts: 455 Karma: 520286 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eastern IN Device: Kindle Fire HD 8.9", Kindle Fire HD 7", Kindle Touch	Well I downloaded the Smashwords mobi sample too, so I will report back as to which is longer. I highly suspect the Smashwords to be the victor here.

11-18-2009, 08:41 PM	#22
Billjr13 Addict Posts: 357 Karma: 550002 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Colorado Device: Sony PRS 700 & 650	Alan thanks again for the book. I am much more likely to buy a book from a new author if I can read a sample of his book. This is what most of us do in bookstores, pick it up read some pages, if we are intrigued we buy it. I would say 25-50% is more reasonable. If you go with more than 25% I would say to skip some pages after the first 25% so the story is broken up a bit. Drop a page or two after every 10 pages.

11-18-2009, 09:45 PM	#23
garygibsonsf Addict Posts: 321 Karma: 432192 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite	Plumboz - I published a friend's book on Smashwords recently and noticed it has a 'pay if you like' option that lets people download it for free, but leaving them the option to pay for it only if they want to ('name your own price'). Maybe that's worth exploring? If anyone's curious, that book I put up on Smashwords is here.

11-19-2009, 12:29 AM	#24
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I would say an outright freebie guarantees I will download it, but it may take me awhile to get to. As far as purchasing goes, I need at least a free excerpt these days. I could spend years just getting through my Project Gutenberg to read list, never mind the stuff I have bought, paid for and not yet gotten to. Fictionwise is having another multiformat sale and I have a 15% off coupon on top of that so I was tempted to clear out my wishlist. But some of the books on it have only fair to middling reviews, and I just have SO MUCH to read right now... Actually, much as I love to get stuff for free, I have to admit, a free sample is more likely to get me reading the book than an outright freebie because the outright freebie can always be just downloaded and shelved to read later. But if I buy something based on a free sample, it probably means I liked the bit I read already and I am invested to get it and finish it now. That happened once, actually, my sister loaned me an ebook (I was staying with her at the time) and it had an excerpt at the end of the author's other book, which I bought for myself when I was back at home. I view the excerpt as the digital equivalent to reading the first chapter or so while standing in the store. And given how much great stuff is competing for my reading time right now, I am much less willing to shell out cash for something unless it comes recommended by someone I trust or unless I can get at least a sample first.

11-19-2009, 04:44 PM	#26
Katti's Cat Wizard Posts: 2,259 Karma: 175640 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Sony PRS-600	Got the book on my reader and it's waiting to be read. As I read everything I just go through my titles, started at 'A' so shouldn't be far off. The Smashword backcover copy made me interested and curious and I am looking forward to the book. I think it's much better than the Amazon backcover. Sweet and short that's how I like backcovers. I don't 'test' read books. If a backcover doesn't grap my attention I don't bother reading one page of it. So I either read the lot or nothing. I actually deleted all book excerpts from the reader that game preloaded. Test chapter / Excerpts have the same effect as if someone waves a piece of chocolate under my nose and then eats it. I don't mind paying a small amount for a book that turns out not so flash because I usually still get some enjoyment out of it. Beats paying AUD30 for it and throwing it against the wall. Although ...

11-19-2009, 04:53 PM	#27
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	I purchased the book last night and have downloaded it to my 600. I'm taking a 4 day trip to Cancun next month and will probably read it while sitting on the beach. I usually like to get recommendations before reading a new author but in a few cases, if the price is low enough, I will take a chance.

11-19-2009, 09:34 PM	#28
plumboz Novelist Posts: 591 Karma: 452032 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Arizona Device: Nook	Hi Katti's Cat and grooks, Thanks for purchasing Boomerang. I do hope you enjoy it. Alan

11-21-2009, 01:53 AM	#30
plumboz Novelist Posts: 591 Karma: 452032 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Arizona Device: Nook	And a really big thanks to dreams for Boomerang's first review on Smashwords. Review by: dreams on Nov. 20, 2009 : star star star star star Great fun from start to finish. The various antics of the characters had me laughing out loud as I visualized the situations. I loved following the old lady sisters, Amelia and Doreen (they were so real that I could almost hear their conversations) and Ted and Jerry (that guy had more stuff he was into than poor Ted could keep up with). If that wasn't enough, add in the alphabet soup of government agencies and “the clothing optional former onion festival queen". I had no idea how it was going to end and couldn't wait to find out. This will definitely be on my to-be-read-again list.