You are here: Free ebooks
The internet is giving authors at all stages of their career a new way to promote themselves. By distributing e-books as PDFs or Word .DOC files, authors can cut out all the costs associated with publishing. Readers can try-before-they-buy, or print out the books to read on the train. Here are links to some free ebooks. I'll update this page as I come across new titles.
Fiction
- Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom - by Cory Doctorow. Futuristic novel set in a time post-money when status is everything and co-ops live in and run Disney's Magic Kingdom. Lots of ideas in a small space, with some odd diversions. Recommended. Available in your choice of format, including audio.
- God's Debris (PDF) - Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams comes over all philosophical in this 'thought experiment'. The story format's contrived and there are a few leaps of logic, but it is packed with ideas from start to finish.
Non-fiction (general)
- How to be Creative (PDF) - Advertising executive Hugh MacLeod gives 26 tips for a more creative life. The tips are more to do with his hobby of drawing cartoons on business cards than his full-time job. Inspiring stuff for creative hobbyists everywhere.
- Really Bad Powerpoint (PDF) - Seth Godin offers some inspiration on presentations. You can't follow his advice all the time, but it's a good starting point for presentations that sparkle.
- Unleashing the Idea Virus (PDF) - Seth Godin's book on viral marketing
- Free Culture (PDF+other formats) - Lawrence Lessig's book about the future of ideas and copyright
- PAS 78: a guide to good practice in commissioning accessible websites - guide from the DRC and BSI about how to buy an accessible website
- A-Z of alternative words (PDF) and How to write in plain English (PDF) - The Plain English Campaign provides short replacements for long words
Music
- Jesus Jones: Death Threats from an 8 year old in the Seychelles (PDF) - Mike Edwards' diary of 1997 and some recollections on the band's earlier career, including some insights into fame. The title is inspired by what happened when Edwards said something negative about New Kids on the Block.