A World Invisible:  Free Adobe .pdf download formatted for the Sony PRS-505 e-reader

Why would a publisher offer free electronic downloads of a book that is on sale at £7.99?

This is a plain and simple promotional effort.  Most people like to own books as paper copies and we believe that reading a book in electronic format will encourage sales of the paper copies.  

So, how can we afford to give electronic copies away?

A conventional publisher’s costs are not only driven by the stock management issues in the supply chain.

A huge part of a publisher’s expense goes to promotion of a book.

1. •The “3 for 2” offers in the bookshop?  Paid for by the publisher
   

2. •The book with the cover facing out on the shelf?  Paid for by the publisher.
   

3. •The books on the table by the door?  Paid for by the publisher
   

4. •The books in the window?  Paid for by the publisher
   

5. •Advertising?  Paid for by the publisher
   

6. •Promotional literature?  Paid for by the publisher
   

7. •Review copies to the press?  Paid for by the publisher
   

And with all of this, the bookseller and distributor also take up to 55% of the cover price shared between them.