Why I’m Turning off My Permafree Series Starter

For several years, I used the novel in my Seamus McCree series as a permafree entry point for readers. The major problem for unknown authors (I’m James M. Jackson, not James Patterson) is discovery. Permafree’s siren song is that by making the first novel in a series free, you eliminate the monetary barrier that stops many readers from trying new authors. Give them a fine book (Ant Farm (Seamus McCree #1) has a 4.4 Amazon rating and 4.25 on Goodreads) and if they like it, they’ll purchase the next in the series.

Well, it ain’t working that way for me.

In 2025, I ran promotions that allowed me to give away about 3,000 copies of Ant Farm. The average cost was modest, less than fifteen cents a book. According to industry wisdom, that’s pretty good. It suggests my cover and blurb get downloads. During 2025, the average rating on Amazon and Goodreads both increased. Those who read it, like it (ignoring the occasional troll who leaves a 1-star rating—no review, just ’cause it makes them feel special to trash someone).

Of those who downloaded Ant Farm on Amazon, less than 1% then bought Bad Policy (Seamus McCree #2). But here’s what’s fascinating: for readers on other platforms (Apple, Nook, Kobo, etc.), 75% bought Bad Policy, and 80% continued to Cabin Fever (Seamus McCree #3).

My Hard Truth

I hoped Amazon readers would behave the way my other readers did. They didn’t. They aren’t joining my Readers Group newsletter. These particular Amazon readers happily let me subsidize their preference for free books. That required me to make a business decision.

Permafree costs money, and on Amazon it wasn’t producing readers who went on to buy or engage. What it was doing was attracting people who wanted free books—and nothing beyond that. That’s not a criticism of them. It’s a market signal to me. And once I accepted that signal, it made sense to stop feeding a system that trained readers to sample endlessly without committing.

My pivot

I returned Ant Farm’s price to $4.99 (the same price as all my other novels). Readers who sign up for my newsletter now get “Low Tide at Tybee (A Seamus McCree novella)” as my thank you. It introduces them to three of readers’ favorite characters: Seamus McCree, his darts-throwing mother, and his (now) six-year-old granddaughter, Megan. If they like it and want to read more, they can choose what they want to purchase next.

I created ebook bundles for books 1-3, books 4-6 + another novella, and books 7-8. Each bundle provides a substantial discount over the combined prices of the individual novels/novella. And I offer ebooks on my website, often at a discounted price so readers and I can both benefit without feeding Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

The revised approach gives readers options: Those who want a low-risk introduction can get a complete novella and check out the Readers Group. Readers who want value can get discounted bundles. People who want to support an author they enjoy can buy direct. Just clear choices, without pressure or hidden strings.

Will it Work?

Check back next year, and we’ll explore the results.

I’m curious: what makes you decide to buy a book from an unknown-to-you author? Is it price, recommendation, sample chapters, or something else?

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James M. Jackson writes justice-driven thrillers with brains and bite, including the Niki Undercover Thriller series and the Seamus McCree series. To learn more information about Jim and his books, check out his website, https://jamesmjackson.com. You can sign up for his newsletter (and get to read Low Tide at Tybee, a novella featuring Seamus, his darts-throwing mother, and six-year-old granddaughter, Megan).

This post originally appeared on the Writers Who Kill blog.