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Mini-Muse Monday-Fabulous or Flop
Pros and Cons: Free and 99¢ Books
Fact or Mythe
In the last few weeks, I’ve had several conversations with readers and authors about the extensive availability of low-priced or free books and whether the inexpensive cost encourages poorer reviews.
The discussion centered on if readers paid more for books, they would be more selective and choose authors whose work they know to be good already. The reverse argument has been that readers often discover new authors they really enjoy, because they were willing to take a gamble with cheap or free books.
I’ve also heard both pros and cons about Kindle Unlimited being a magnet for trolls and people who think they should never have to pay for a book, ever, while others are adamant that those people reading via the Kindle Unlimited Program would never buy a buy at full retail, so any royalties garnered via the lending program is a bonus to the author.
I have seen some evidence of poorer reviews when a book is free, but that trend seems to lessen if the book is only on sale. Perhaps that’s because more readers get their hands on the book, figuratively, when it’s free. After all, the percentage of readers who actually review is very small compared to overall sales and borrows.
Personally, I don’t think authors should stress about it. The idea behind free and 99¢ books, in my opinion, is to reach a broader reader base. Sure, many readers snatch any free book and never read a good number of them, but even if an author gains a few new readers, then I think it’s worth the temporary free or reduced price.
This business of expecting everyone to love all of our books is just silly. At times, readers may have a legitimate concern about a book,and other times, the reader and the story are just a sour fit. It happens.
Am I alone in my perception?
Do you ever take a risk on a book you might not have otherwise, because the price is low? I know I have.
Does that also free you as a reader up to close it before finishing and add it to your “Did Not Finish Pile”?
Finally, do cheaper book prices lead to a greater number of negative reviews or is the correlation purely coincidental?
I take quite a few free books but I never take ones I think I won’t like. But being free, makes me take ones that I’m on the fence about. I am now trying to review every book I read. The price has nothing to do with my reviews. I have found several authors I love by getting free books. I have then bought some of their books. I am a voracious reader and to keep the cost of my habit down, I frequent the library, get freebies when I can, and I watch my wish lists like a hawk to get sale prices. I also am on kindle Unlimited. I joined Choosey Bookworm because I get free books. I just love to read.
I love that you’ve found new authors via free books! If your local library isn’t carrying authors you like to read, you can always request the library get their books. Sometimes the librarians actually do it!
I never buy books based on price, however, if the stars align and they are priced well and tickle my fancy, I buy! By the way, I’m usually disappointed by the books that are given away, I’ve rarely found one that I bother to even finish. But, then I’m from the school: “you get what you pay for”, not always, but more times than naught.
I don’t base a review on the price of book, but rather the quality of writing and the plot. (I also won’t post a poor review–just won’t post a review if a book is that bad). I’ll take a chance on a new author, especially when a book is on sale. Many times that leads me to buy other books by that author at full price.
denise