Should ebooks be free or at least much cheaper?

[Luisjane]

I also agree that eBook shouldn't be free since it was less manufactured and only publish as electronic book which means it doesn't need raw materials to be read by people. The prices of each eBook really differ from who is the author and the popularity of or the wide market of a certain eBook e.g (H.P), we all know the cost and we know who's the audience, I think big comp such amzn should lessen the price I was just lucky to to be able to subscribe to a site for $1.99 and download 10 eBooks =), i think that's the best offer I've seen so far that's why I agree that ebook should be much cheaper that paperback.

[TCC Edwards]

I have to agree that eBooks shouldn't be free and I wish authors would stop giving away so many books for free. Many indie authors like to release a free prequel novella to get people interested in their work, and that might work for some people, but free eBooks can actually hurt all new authors.

a) If the book is free but has an ugly cover or uninspiring byline, it perpetuates the idea that all free books are crap, or that anybody and their dog can just whip up a book and toss it into Amazon.

b) If the free book looks good but turns out to be poorly written, that's worse in a way. It gives the idea that a free book is just a waste of time.

c) A free book that is actually *good* isn't that good for authors either. It undervalues good writing, meaning that even good authors can't expect to get much for their creations.

If you want to offer your book for free, enroll it in Kindle Unlimited or have it released to public libraries. As a reader, I am much more likely to read a book that is cheap, but not free.

[gali]

I think ebooks should be cheaper than paper books. If they are the same price, I would rather buy the paper version. I don't think that free ebooks hurt the author, as it gives the reader a chance to get to know their writing. I would hesitate to try books of unknown authors otherwise. If I love the book, I will buy the author's other books.

[waigwamoses]

Ebooks should be cheaper than paperbacks. I don't think they should be free as technology also costs money.

[Lincoln]

I think that ebooks should be a lot cheaper than paperback if not free

Ebooks should be cheaper, but keep in mind part of the money goes to companies like amazon to improve the complex tech, which costs a lot of money because they have to pay very well trained people to spend a lot of time fixing things up. Also, authors need to get their cut and if it is free there is no incentive to write.

Music faced something like this when things went free, and gradually the market adapted to a subscription model. I think books are going that same route, just slowly because people still love paperback copies. Indie is almost exclusively ebook and way, way cheaper than paperback, but people still spend a fortune for ebooks from traditional publishers, and until people stop paying they will keep charging a lot.

I guess the best option: support indie and the entire market will get cheaper.

[Spirit Wandering]

As many have said, not free because the author should be paid for their work but definitely less than hard copy because there are no publishing or shipping costs.

[Gingerbo0ks]

I buy e books for the convenience but I love physical copies to display on my shelf and sometimes you don't want to be carrying a Kindle around with you. I do think e books should be a little cheaper and when they are not, I find myself going for a "proper book"

[Lincoln]

I buy e books for the convenience but I love physical copies to display on my shelf and sometimes you don't want to be carrying a Kindle around with you. I do think e books should be a little cheaper and when they are not, I find myself going for a "proper book"

Yeah, it makes perfect sense to just buy the print copy when it isn't worth having only a digital one. I wonder if amazon will do something similar to how they handle music where when you buy a physical copy of a cd you get the digital one free. That would be perfect!

[Gingerbo0ks]

Yes I've often wondered if or when they'd do something like that. Maybe the opportunity to buy the ebook for a very reduced price when purchasing the hard copy.

[Letlhogonolo]

E-books should definitely be cheaper that actual books. They can be easily exchanged and you cannot touch them. So why are they so expensive?

[MrsCatInTheHat]

You're paying for the content, not the format.

[Adair McClain]

I agree that just because it's an e-book it should NOT be free (unless it's a promotion, etc). An author puts a lot of time, sweat, and tears into their craft and it isn't right to assume they should just give it away, regardless of format. But, I can also agree that e-books should be on the cheaper side since they're not actually printed. I don't know how much work goes into digitally publishing that could justify the price.

[Sarah_Khan]

I wouldn't say that they should be free but they should be cheaper. I think paying the price of a paperback book to only have it in electronic form is a little unreasonable. Like other people have mentioned, authors put the time and effort into writing so there should be some reward. Anyway I feel like there are a lot of free ebooks out there so if you are not willing to pay for one, you still have lots of options.

[Amagine]

I dont think they should be free because writers have to earn a small living. I do think that they should be cheaper than paper books though. With physical books, getting them printed costs a nice chunk of change. That is one expense that ebooks don't have to worry about. So I feel their prices should be cheaper than a physical book.

[Chitopogi]

Yes indeed. EBooks are much cheaper than paperbooks. And giving away free books is a market strategy thought out by Amazon when it started selling books. They've gained recognition and the profited from that marketing scheme. And the authors earn as well. A case in point - Raven's Peak. Our club gave it away free to us members. And we had to download it from Amazon. Did both Amazon and Lincoln Cole earn from it? Yes indeed! Lincoln's trilogy is now in the New York Times bestseller list! His Ravens Peak is selling at $1.50, Raven's Fall at $3.49, and Raven's Rise at $3.99. And all are selling great. If you ask me - Yes indeed! Give them away as a marketing strategy! The rewards come later.