I enjoy being a writer. I love sharing my stories and I love hearing from people who have read and who want to read my books. I love that people pay for my books and willingly do so. I love it all.
There is one problem though. Friends and family.
I don't know why it is that some of a writer's friend and family asks to be given a free copy of their book. My book is my baby, I've given some away, but of course I'd rather you honor me and buy it. I had a friend once tell me about a friend of theirs who loved zombie stuff and did I have a copy of my book I could bring over for them. I said, "Yes, of course." I did not think I was taking a book over to give to someone I didn't know. I thought I would be paid for it. I wasn't, and I doubt it crossed this person's mind, or their zombie loving friend's mind, that they should pay me for my work.
Now don't get me wrong, I love that people want my book. I don't mind giving some of them away, but I'd rather it be my choice, not the demand of someone else.
I don't need people saying, "You should have just given me a copy," because we are close friends or family. I don't need people to make me feel guilty for not giving them a copy of the book I spent days, weeks, months, or years writing. If I ask you if you want a copy, then sure go ahead and take that free book. But don't ask me for a free copy, and don't assume you shouldn't pay for one.
In all honesty I would rather write you into a book or story than give you a free one. I'd rather share you with the world. I'm working on a short story for my series right now and one of the characters is a young woman who won a contest so her name is going to be used as a character, who of course becomes a zombie and dies horribly. That is what my fans want. To be a part of the process. To be IN the books. To be thanked in the acknowledgements. Free books are awesome, but don't expect it.
I don't ask you for free legal advice, or psychological counseling, or art, or interior design, or whatever your job is, so please don't ask me to provide you with my work for free.
There is one problem though. Friends and family.
I don't know why it is that some of a writer's friend and family asks to be given a free copy of their book. My book is my baby, I've given some away, but of course I'd rather you honor me and buy it. I had a friend once tell me about a friend of theirs who loved zombie stuff and did I have a copy of my book I could bring over for them. I said, "Yes, of course." I did not think I was taking a book over to give to someone I didn't know. I thought I would be paid for it. I wasn't, and I doubt it crossed this person's mind, or their zombie loving friend's mind, that they should pay me for my work.
Now don't get me wrong, I love that people want my book. I don't mind giving some of them away, but I'd rather it be my choice, not the demand of someone else.
I don't need people saying, "You should have just given me a copy," because we are close friends or family. I don't need people to make me feel guilty for not giving them a copy of the book I spent days, weeks, months, or years writing. If I ask you if you want a copy, then sure go ahead and take that free book. But don't ask me for a free copy, and don't assume you shouldn't pay for one.
In all honesty I would rather write you into a book or story than give you a free one. I'd rather share you with the world. I'm working on a short story for my series right now and one of the characters is a young woman who won a contest so her name is going to be used as a character, who of course becomes a zombie and dies horribly. That is what my fans want. To be a part of the process. To be IN the books. To be thanked in the acknowledgements. Free books are awesome, but don't expect it.
I don't ask you for free legal advice, or psychological counseling, or art, or interior design, or whatever your job is, so please don't ask me to provide you with my work for free.
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