Free: Why Authors are Giving Books Away on the Internet

Keywords

Open educational resources, online technology, digital publishing

Abstract

With increasing frequency, authors in academic and non-academic fields are releasing their books for free digital distribution. Anecdotal evidence suggests that exposure to both authors and books increases when books are available as free downloads, and that print sales are not negatively affected. For this study we interviewed ten authors to determine their perceptions of the effect free digital distribution has on the impact and sales of their work. In addition, we examined the sales data of two books over a two year period of time, in which one book was freely available for the second year. All of the individuals we surveyed felt free digital downloads increased the distribution and impact of their book. None of the authors felt that print sales were negatively affected. Data from our book sale comparison suggest that in the case we studied, free digital distribution did not negatively affect sales.

Original Publication Citation

John Hilton III and David Wiley. “The short-term influence of free digital versions of books on print sales.” The Journal of Electronic Publishing, 13 (1). (2010)

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2010-3

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6171

Publisher

SpringerLink

Language

English

College

Religious Education

Department

Ancient Scripture

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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