Freebie: Simon Haynes’ ‘HAL Spacejock,’ first in series

By David Rothman

Simon Haynes is giving away Hal Spacejock in rtf, prc, html and text formats. It’s to promote Simon’s Hal series, which he expects will appeal to fans of "TV shows like the Young Ones, Blackadder, Red Dwarf and Dr Who, or books by Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt or Jasper Fforde." Yes, you can also order the series on paper.

In particular, Simon’s giveaway is to celebrate the the publication of his latest, Hal Spacejock: New Free Lunch, published by the well-regarded Fremantle Press. Price is A$19.95, or around US$20. Hmm. Will that be free someday? The freebie model isn’t for all, nor is the shareware one, but I can see the logic here. HS #1 should indeed draw ‘em in. In the first chapter, a robotic enforcer gets to work on on the hapless Hal to, ugh, encourage him to repay a loan.

The yBook guy

Simon’s name may well ring a bell for TeleRead community members; he’s the guy beyond the free yBook reader, a great way to get started on Project Gutenberg classics. And, yes, all of the above formats will work with yBook. Talk about full solutions? How many other SF writers create software you can use to enjoy their works in E? Best of luck, Simon, and keep us posted.

Literacy advocate, too

Simon’s news release—which laudably shows his interest in promoting literacy among boys, who often lag behind girls in reading skills—follows.

Press Release – May 28, 2008 FREMANTLE PRESS RELEASES FREE ONLINE NOVEL

There may be no free lunch for goofy hero Hal Spacejock, but his fans worldwide are about to be served a big helping of science fiction – for nothing! Fremantle Press and Western Australian author, Simon Haynes, are giving away complete online copies of the novel Hal Spacejock 1. To coincide with the release of the fourth book, Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch, the first novel in the popular series is now available as a free download.

Author Simon Haynes says there is a method to his madness.

"Science fiction readers are typically technologically savvy and familiar with E-books.

"They are often bloggers with many online connections and the spread of information across the online community is incredibly fast," he said.

Haynes said he was keen to build an international following but in some countries his books were only available as an expensive import.

Download the Hal Spacejock ebook here: Press Release – May 28, 2008

FREMANTLE PRESS RELEASES FREE ONLINE NOVEL

There may be no free lunch for goofy hero Hal Spacejock, but his fans worldwide are about to be served a big helping of science fiction – for nothing! Fremantle Press and Western Australian author, Simon Haynes, are giving away complete online copies of the novel Hal Spacejock 1. To coincide with the release of the fourth book, Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch, the first novel in the popular series is now available as a free download. 

Author Simon Haynes says there is a method to his madness.

"Science fiction readers are typically technologically savvy and familiar with E-books.

"They are often bloggers with many online connections and the spread of information across the online community is incredibly fast," he said.

Haynes said he was keen to build an international following but in some countries his books were only available as an expensive import.

"Hal Spacejock 1 is now on its third reprint and I’ve proved there’s an audience for my particular brand of offbeat humour.

"By giving away the first novel as a free online download, I hope to reach a wider, international audience and, with any luck, get them hooked on the whole Hal Spacejock series," said Haynes.

Although the practice is rare in Australia, free online books in the science fiction genre have been given away by overseas publishers such as Tor Books, HarperCollins and Baen with interesting results. Initial reports indicate that releasing "freebies" can lead to increased book sales.

According to Sales and Marketing Manager, Clive Newman, Fremantle Press was at first resistant to the idea of releasing a free online version of the novel.

"Giving away a free book, especially one that is on its third reprint, is not something we would normally contemplate.

Fremantle Press has put together a set of Hal Spacejock bundles with subsidised postage.

"But this is a science fiction series and overseas readers aren’t going to buy the fourth novel, Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch, if they haven’t even read the first," he said.

Haynes also has his eye on the reluctant reader in the school system – especially boys. He said that while many potential readers may shudder at the thought of borrowing a book from the library, he hopes they may be more inclined to check out an E-book.

"If you’re a school librarian, a parent or an English teacher who wants a way to promote reading, you’ve really got nothing to lose by pointing kids in the direction of an online novel.

"I’m a parent and I figure that if my kids are going to spend more time online then you’d better make books available to them there as well as in the school library," he said.

The four Hal Spacejock books are a comic science fiction series that will be enjoyed by anyone who likes books by Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt or Jasper Fforde.

To download your free copy of Hal Spacejock 1 go to the download page

The Hal Spacejock series is published by Fremantle Press and is available from all good bookstores and at www.fremantlepress.com.au.

"Hal Spacejock 1 is now on its third reprint and I’ve proved there’s an audience for my particular brand of offbeat humour.

"By giving away the first novel as a free online download, I hope to reach a wider, international audience and, with any luck, get them hooked on the whole Hal Spacejock series," said Haynes.

Although the practice is rare in Australia, free online books in the science fiction genre have been given away by overseas publishers such as Tor Books, HarperCollins and Baen with interesting results. Initial reports indicate that releasing "freebies" can lead to increased book sales.

According to Sales and Marketing Manager, Clive Newman, Fremantle Press was at first resistant to the idea of releasing a free online version of the novel.

"Giving away a free book, especially one that is on its third reprint, is not something we would normally contemplate.

Fremantle Press has put together a set of Hal Spacejock bundles with subsidised postage.

"But this is a science fiction series and overseas readers aren’t going to buy the fourth novel, Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch, if they haven’t even read the first," he said.

Haynes also has his eye on the reluctant reader in the school system – especially boys. He said that while many potential readers may shudder at the thought of borrowing a book from the library, he hopes they may be more inclined to check out an E-book.

"If you’re a school librarian, a parent or an English teacher who wants a way to promote reading, you’ve really got nothing to lose by pointing kids in the direction of an online novel.

"I’m a parent and I figure that if my kids are going to spend more time online then you’d better make books available to them there as well as in the school library," he said.

The four Hal Spacejock books are a comic science fiction series that will be enjoyed by anyone who likes books by Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt or Jasper Fforde.

To download your free copy of Hal Spacejock 1 go to the download page

The Hal Spacejock series is published by Fremantle Press and is available from all good bookstores and at www.fremantlepress.com.au.