This is a great report if you are looking for detailed context and deeper insight on how free relates to conventional publishing. However, it falls short when answering the question: “Should I provide a free copy of my next book ?”
I had been looking forward to lay my hands on this paper since I first read about it in Tools of Change conference. It is written by Brian O’Leary and published by O’Reilly media. It can be found here.
Sophistication of ebook readers is the backdrop of this paper. This paper enlightens us on the debate about the use of free content and the proliferation of free content thanks to modern technology. If you are looking for greater insight into the different aspects of using free content and the publishing industry then this paper is must read.
This paper does a good job of correlating free and p2p in publishing to different aspects. It deals with the different forms of book marketing, the relation between discovery and access, and the time lines for free sharing in relation to traditional publishing. It should also be complimented for putting in perspective p2p file sharing and free distribution and its impact on book sales.
Brian O’Leary is a nice guy who let me read the report free of cost but I must admit that if you are looking for a comprehensive overview on the effect a free version has on book sales then this report does fall short of expectations. While it is a detailed report, it does not help you make the decision whether free distribution and p2p is the way to go.
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