by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
This is a post that I hesitate even writing because this is one of many areas that’s rapidly changing in the industry. But it’s still a relevant topic at this point. I’ll look back years from now and go, “Oh, yeah. There were still author copies in 2013….”
One reason for this change is that many writers are self-publishing these days and are using a print-on-demand service like Lightning Source or CreateSpace to create books when they need them….if they want print copies of their books at all. Many more are electing to go digital only. (One of my resolutions this year is to put my self-pubbed books in print, however. I’ve had several emails from readers, scolding me about it.)
And…if you are traditionally published, the number of author copies you get probably varies wildly. And I hear the copies are diminishing as publishers tighten their belts. I’ve definitely got more author copies from one of my series than I have with another.
Regardless—many of us do have either print or digital copies of our books that are intended to help us promote our books in some way…whether we’ve purchased them ourselves, or whether they were given to us by our publisher.
Working with Penguin, I’ve gotten ARCs—Advance Reader Copies—of the first books in my series. They’re not really pretty…they don’t have the finished cover on it, just a basic brown cover that has the book’s title and my name (or my pen name), and Penguin’s imprint on the front.
ARCs I am eager to give away. I don’t give them to readers, because they’re fairly hideous, but they’ll go to reviewers (book bloggers, print reviewers at smaller newspapers or magazines, etc.)
Then there are author copies. I always get these from Penguin, as opposed to the ARCs. A box arrives by UPS or FedX before the book actually hits the shelves.
So….what do you do with author copies? That’s where it gets interesting.
I tend to want to hoard my author copies. In fact, if a reviewer contacts me after the book’s release, I’ll email Penguin’s publicist to send them a copy. Because, really…those books are part of my pay. When I run out, I have to buy more like everybody else (yes, usually at a discount. Although I don’t buy as many as I used to.)
Anyway, I do spend some thought about what to do with these copies. I know that hoarding them in a closet doesn’t exactly help me out. I have no idea why I like to know they’re there…I’m really not a packrat in any other way.
I read a post by fellow mystery writer Jeff Cohen on the Hey, There’s a Dead Guy in the Living Room blog. His post on the subject was “Do I Ask You to Work for Free?”
Jeff has run into some problems with readers asking for free books. He explained, pretty clearly, the reasons why he feels he can’t give away his author copies. Financial considerations were a big reason.
For what it’s worth, here are some good things I think I’ve done with my author copies, if others are looking for ideas.
Goodreads giveaway. See this post. I got the results emailed to me from Goodreads yesterday, and if you’re curious about the results, I did see that 876 people had entered the giveaway. So I did get some eyeballs over to see that I had a new release and a bit of exposure. I didn’t advertise or promote the giveaway, aside from a mention here. I’m giving away three of my author copies for that giveaway.
Charity baskets. These have been at a variety of different functions through the years—most recently, a large quilt show in Texas contacted me about giving away a signed copy of one of my books for their auction of a basket of similar items. Feeling that was a way to possibly loop in new readers (I have a quilting mystery series), I participated in that event and similar ones throughout the years.
Blog giveways on book blogger sites. Given away to a blog commenter of the book blogger’s, and promoted on usually both of our Facebook sites. These seem to go well and I’m frequently amazed at the number of comments and Facebook shares. It might be genre-specific….cozy fans are fairly dedicated.
Other promo-related giveaways. Places like WriterSpace where you participate in live online chats and then participants at the chats are randomly selected for winners of a giveaway.
Books as thank-yous. I’ve given signed copies to folks who have helped me research, acted as beta readers, and offered other forms of support.
And yes, sometimes I do give books to people close to me. I wouldn’t dream of jeopardizing a close relationship over books…although, sure, I wish it were more generally known that the best way you can help authors is to buy a copy of their book (print or digital.)
What do you do with your author copies? How do you handle distributing copies you’ve purchased for promo?
Elizabeth – As always, an interesting post. I’ve noticed, as you have, that publishers aren’t providing the author copies they used to provide. As you say, in this economy that makes economic sense for them. I like to have author copies of my books. As you say, they are wonderful for charity purposes and for promo giveaways. And you never know when it may be serendipitous to have them. I had a couple of author copies of my books with me once when I was ‘on the road’ at a conference. As it happened I met someone at that conference who was interested in my books but couldn’t easily get them where she lived (the conference was international). So… I got a new reader just by having some copies with me. You never know…
I can’t WAIT for the day I have to think about this. But, I never expect an author to give me a book, not even if it’s a relative. One of the purposes of writing is to be paid. :)The other purpose is to get all that stuff out of my brain.
I donated one of mine to a charity auction at Gaelcon, Ireland’s biggest gaming convention. I signed it for the winner – the first signed copy – who got it for €130.
I sent some off to publications for review, but for the most part I haven’t seen any reviews as a result. In one case, the book got lost in the mail, and I had to chase it up. The reviewer accepted an electronic copy but I still haven’t seen a review. So for my next book, I may be a little more cautious with how I use my copies.
One thing I do need my author copies for is that, in Ireland, an author has to send copies of their book to the tax office so they can qualify for tax exemption for all royalties under €40,000 in a year.
I still give out copies. I use it as an opportunity to sell Kindle versions. I might give one to my boss and let the entire department see it. Only costs me five dollars, but I’ll get exposure and downloads from other people who will also tell their friends. Then they may also download my other book.
That was five dollars well spent to help keep the buzz alive until my third book comes out.
You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if very many people didn’t know this. I only know from reading author blogs for 2+ years.
I can’t imagine asking an author for a free copy of their book. Sheesh, how tacky. It would be like asking, excuse me Mr. Picasso, do you have an extra picture I can have? Or, since I raise Great Danes, someone asking me to give them a free pup? Excuse me? Do you know how much work and money have gone into this litter of pups, or insert any job you do.
Now,I will ask for a copy if I’d like to put together a goodies blog where I feature several authors at one time and one of their back list is the prize. I don’t have a problem with that because it’s a form of promotion for the author.
I’ve received quite a few plain jane ARCs for review. It’s always cool to see what the final cover will look like when it’s released.
Sia McKye OVER COFFEE
Paul–You know, I haven’t had a whole lot of luck sending promo copies to reviewers, either. It only seems to work when I set things up with the book bloggers, etc., beforehand.
Interesting! No, we don’t have to do that, here. If we did, I’d be sure to send our tax office some of my ugly ARCs…. :)
Margot–You make a good point! I used to carry books in the car with me–just a copy of each title. But then I stopped. Shouldn’t have, because I do get asked about them fairly frequently.
Stephen–You have always done so well with in-person promo. I need to get lessons on that. :)
Teresa–Getting the stuff out of our brain is key! Of course, now I’ve got so *much* stuff shipped out of my brain that I think I need to do some importing. :) I sent out a bill without a check last week and only discovered my mistake when I found the check still in the checkbook…
Callie–I think you might be right. It’s not a topic that’s frequently touched on, either.
Sia–You know, I’ve thought about it a little, and I’m wondering if folks don’t think that authors get free copies? I probably thought they did, up until the point that I got a contract. :) The discount we get is pretty good usually (40% sometimes, sometimes a bit less), but maybe some readers think they’re free to the author?
A goodies bag is *exactly* the kind of good promotion that needs an author copy!
Oh, those ARCs. :) I get so excited when I see a box from Penguin. “Oh! My book! It’s my book!” Then I rip open the box…and it’s a bunch of ugly ARCs…ha! The last time I got some, my daughter said, “Mama, what happened to your book?”
I only get two finished copies from my publisher for free, so I know how you feel about hoarding them. One goes to my parents, even though my mom won’t ever read it. (She’s still proud though.)
I saw on someone else’s site last month that buying an author’s book is the best thing one can do to support that person. I may never read and review all of my author friends’ books, but I always buy a copy.
I’ve donated my books to several libraries, including one in New Orleans after Katrina.
I’ve never encountered it much online, but I know some people think they are entitled to a free book as compensation for a blog feature. E-books are easy to send, but print books cost money to mail.
Oh I wanted to note one other thing. I recently finished grad school, and my thesis class published a collection of excerpts of our work. I’m sure the cost of my copies was in the fees for the class somewhere, but when I got my 5 copies, I definitely spent some time freaking out about what to do with them, who to give them to, etc.
I like the feeling of handing an author – often a new friend – their book to sign for me.
I then feel guilty how long it takes for their book to work through my reading list pile.
As a self-published author, I mostly use them as a way to draw people to my e-books. I send to the local paper, a couple other reviewers, and always my local library. I just started doing a seminar on e-publishing, and I’m extra glad I do get the paperbacks printed. It makes the books seem more “real” to participants. I do a drawing among the participants each time I do a seminar.
Alex–That’s what I do…always buy them. Sometimes the turnaround time for when I *read* them is slower, but I buy them.
You’re a good son!
Diane–I also get large-print copies of my books and those are always donated to libraries.
They sure do cost money to mail. Although I’ve just met with my tax lady and she reminds me to keep a small notebook in my car because even the mileage on the way back and forth from the post office to do these kinds of chores is deductable.
Callie –Ha! Oh, I’m glad I’m not the only one. I honestly can’t imagine what it is with me and those books! I’m like Gollum or something…
Elaine –Your comment reminds me again that I need to start the process of getting my own self-pub into print. I’ll just make a list of all the necessary tasks to do it and tick off an item every couple of days. I’ve got to get started on that project.
j welling –Me too. I guess we should look at our TBR list as an opportunity and a luxury (we have a stack of wonderful books that will likely last us the rest of our lives!) instead of as something that causes us guilt…but it’s hard!
Hi Elizabeth,
Congrats, you were voted second best Writing/Inspirational Blogger. Please drop by to see how you can claim your prize.
http://sylmion.blogspot.com/2013/02/finally-i-announce-winners.html
Misha
Misha–That’s so kind of you! Thanks so much.
Sign them and sell them on eBay?
Hmm… I don’t know. I really don’t understand the expectation of people sort of in general expecting author’s to basically give away their work. But, hey, $0.99 is basically giving it away. We don’t expect movie theaters to give away free showings of movies.
Actually, what I do with most of my copies like that is let my kids give them away as birthday presents to their friends if they want to or if the friend really wants a copy. I have a fairly steady stream of kids that really want a copy of my book but can’t get their parents to buy it for them.
Andrew–You know, that’s funny you’d say that. I’ve been in the same position, too. My children’s friends want copies. I have given some of mine away to them (didn’t think about it being a birthday present, though!)