Another example of free content paying dividends

Yes, I'm self interested in pointing out why it's a good idea for content creators to give away free material. I could never afford to read everything I do, since I go through about two books a week. So I live off of libraries.

But it pays dividends for good authors. Take Jonathan Maberry with his Rot and Ruin series. I read most from the library but bought a Kindle copy of the last book, Fire and Ash. I also bought hard copies to get signed.

And I just checked out Rot and Ruin from the library for my nephew. If he likes it, I will buy him the set.

That's five confirmed sales with another four potential, all off of free content.

The value of free content

I'm reading To Sail A Darkling Sea by John Ringo right now.

So far, awesome book.

And a testament to the profitability of free content.

I've read most of John Ringo's books from the library. But when I went to Jamaica, I bought Under a Graveyard Sky because I liked what I got from the library and the new book sounded awesome.

I've gotten To Sail A Darkling Sea from the library, so some might argue the point. But it was on my birthday wishlist. And if John Ringo comes to town, I'm buying hardcopy to get signed. So I will have bought three copies of two books.

Not bad for hooking me with the first taste for free.