At BookLocker.com, we have always provided authors with free copies of their ebooks. It costs us nothing to send the author a copy of their own ebook so why in the world would we charge them to do so? If an author writes in asking for a copy of their ebook, we send it to them – with a smile.
I have no idea what justification other publishers have for charging authors for copies of their own files but there is no shortage of those that do!
Here are some examples:
SHAME ON AUTHORHOUSE – They not only make authors pay for their own ebooks, but they make them pay full price! From their website: “Will I receive a discount if I purchase my eBook? Unfortunately, no. (AuthorHouse) sets the lowest retail price possible on eBooks.”
OUR COMMENT: Hogwash!
SHAME ON XLIBRIS – They may give authors a free copy…or they may not. From their website: “…excluding copies provided free of charge or sold to the author.”
SHAME ON TRAFFORD.COM – Just like Xlibris, they may give authors a free copy…or they may not. From their website: “…excluding copies provided free of charge or sold to the author.”
OUR COMMENT: If an author pays you to create their ebook, you should not force them to buy copies of an electronic file that costs you nothing extra to produce! They paid for you to create it!
SHAME ON IUNIVERSE – They force authors to buy copies of their own ebooks…but they give them a discount. From their website: “Authors receive a 25 percent discount when they purchase their own eBooks.”
OUR COMMENT: Authors should get a 100% discount on their ebook!
Perhaps most disturbing is that the four firms listed above (AuthorHouse, Xlibris, Trafford and iUniverse) are all owned by the same parent company, Author Solutions. Why are their authors all treated so differently?! Other firms are doing this as well so don’t think that simply avoiding Author Solutions’ firms will protect you from this horrible practice.
If somebody paid you to create a file, would you then charge them more money later to send them a copy of that file? Of course not. Remember, some publishing services companies try to see how much money they can get out of each author – in any way they can – and some of their reps work on commission. The more they can talk you into spending on your book, they more money they make.
In our opinion, charging authors for a copy of their own ebook is just another example of extreme greed in the industry.
Angela Hoy is the co-owner of WritersWeekly.com and BookLocker.com. WritersWeekly.com is the free marketing ezine for writers, which features new paying markets and freelance job listings every Wednesday. According to attorney Mark Levine, author of The Fine Print, BookLocker.com is: “As close to perfection as you’re going to find in the world of ebook and POD publishing. The ebook royalties are the highest I’ve ever seen, and the print royalties are better than average. BookLocker understands what new authors experience, and have put together a package that is the best in the business. You can’t go wrong here. Plus, they’re selective and won’t publish any manuscript just because it’s accompanied by a check. Also, the web site is well trafficked. If you can find a POD or epublisher with as much integrity and dedication to selling authors’ books, but with lower POD publishing fees, please let me know.”
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