
Stephenson addresses the best way to build our list, by using free books as funnels to gain subscribers. I don't think there's anything particularly novel about that idea, I've seen it bandied around by many authors, however, there are some aspects of his book that I found particularly useful, insightful and informative.
His contention that we are not competing with each other for readers is something I've long been championing myself and I can only applaud him for this. The idea of building trust, with our potential readers by offering them other author's books when they are on special is a real winner in my book and good on him for that.
What was missing, from the book, I felt, was advice for authors with few books, or those who have limited rights to some of their books i.e. hybrids. Some advice on writing, short, interesting books quickly, to provide for the two free books required to implement this program, would have helped. Having said that, that wasn't the purpose of the book and I understand that.
For what it set out to show, Stephenson was clear, concise and easy to follow. I have no doubt if you were to put this idea into practice, you would increase your sales.
A useful addition to the self-publishers tool-kit.
