Why Am I Giving My New Book Away For Free?

It's a good question. But the answer is simple. Giving away my book, Finding Billy Battles, is an excellent marketing strategy.

It is also the way things work in today's hugely competitive book universe.

For example, in return for a free book via Story Cartel:
http://storycartel.com/books/847/finding-billy-battles
I am asking that recipients write an honest review of the book at one of the following online book retailers Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, etc. These don't have to be exhaustive--just a couple of hundred words is fine.

Of course, if you want to write more, there is no limit on length.

Since my book hit Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Billy-Battles-Transgression-Redemption-ebook/dp/B00H7TSBSK/ref=la_B001KHDVZI_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392423370&sr=1-1 and other retail outlets in early December, I have discovered there is no better form of advertising than the comments provided by satisfied readers.

And so far, those readers have been satisfied, which is, I can tell you, a wonderful feeling for an author! It means that the story is connecting to readers, that readers have empathy for one's characters and that they find the story line compelling enough to read to the end.

Authors cannot ask more than that unless of course, they ask (as I do) for an honest review of the book.

I think if you were to ask most authors why they write most would tell you it is NOT to make money.

OK, earning a nice return on the immense investment of time that writing takes out of your life; the agonizing bouts of writer's block;  and the fear that one's work will face universal rejection by the reading public, is not a bad thing.

But I believe most writers of fiction want their books to excite readers and give them pleasure. After all, who wants to read a novel that gives us a headache or indigestion?

We want a book that pulls us along into the story, that establishes credibility with readers and allows them to identify with its characters. 

In short, readers want a good story. And good stories are produced by good storytellers, which is what successful writers are.

So, if you haven't read Finding Billy Battles yet, here's a chance to do so for free. All Story Cartel and I ask is that you dash off an honest review and post it on the book's Amazon, or Goodreads or Barnes & Noble page.

It's as simple as that.

Now I have to get back to writing the second book in the Billy Battles trilogy. Thanks for reading.