Okay, I'm not at all sure I'm using the verb "to pimp" correctly. David Shuster and I are a little confused on that point. But it's true that HarperCollins is offering free--as in absolutely, without reservation, free--books on its website, beginning Monday. They'll start with this Coelho book, and offer another one every month for the rest of the year.
The idea, evidently, is to entice readers by giving them a sample. “'It’s like taking the shrink wrap off a book,' said Jane Friedman, chief executive of HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide. 'The best way to sell books is to have the consumer be able to read some of that content.'”
Well, yes. But my goodness, the whole book? I wonder how that will work out? And will the author get bupkus for downloaded copies?
In connection with this article, AOL did one of their unofficial surveys about reading habits, and of those responding, 95% said they still prefer to read paper books, page by page. So . . . maybe HarperCollins is right. If readers try Coelho's work and love it, maybe they'll hie themselves out and buy an actual copy. It will be interesting to watch.
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