It wasn't until I was published in America till I realised how many people there are out there who want your books for free. The moment I had a US book out, though, they surely came out of the woodwork. Fans who would 'hand sell' me to complete strangers in book stores, if only I'd send them a free autographed copy so they could bone up on the work beforehand. Schools and charities wanting prizes for draws. And  'needy' individuals too, the most persistent of whom, as I'll reveal, is Canadian, not American.

Like most people I try to do a bit for other people for free. Mainly, in my case, it's been through working with <a href="http://www.thrillerwriters.org/" target="_blank">International Thrillerwriters</a>, helping build its web site and other parts of what's become a very worthwhile organisation. And on a personal level working with my good friend Justin in the environmental campaign that is documented in <a href="http://davidhewson.com/books/standalones/saved/" target="_blank">Saved</a>.

In theory I don't mind signing away a free book for a good cause. In practice, though, I have to say I don't respond to most such requests these days, and if you're an author I'd advise you to think carefully about doing so too.

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First, to the individuals out there who want a free book in order to promote my work. Sorry, no. It doesn't work like that. Yes, I know some of you are genuine. But some just want signed first editions to sell on eBay, and frankly I don't have the time to work out which is which. Also I have to say... most fans are used to the idea of supporting an author or anything else they like by buying their work. Isn't that what the word 'fan' entails?

As to the charities and the schools and the other organisations.... I have to say I posted off a lot of books to you guys over the years, at no small expense when sending something by air mail from the UK to the US. Here are a couple of things I noticed. The letters you get asking for them often sound very much like stock ones straight out of the database. Sometimes they don't even go to the trouble of mentioning the name of your book, always a giveaway.

And here's the big thing. However genuine you are, a thank you is still necessary. The number of notes of gratitude I got for all those airmailed books I could count on one hand. If a free book isn't worth so much as an email by way of thanks it clearly isn't terribly important. Result: they don't go out any more.

The truth is there are people who think we're mugs. None more so than a chap apparently called Michael Risen from Toronto. A few years ago he friended me on Facebook then sent a long and detailed letter explaining how sick he was, how he faced lots of operations, an uncertain future from cancer...

Let me give you a flavour of it...
<blockquote>It is quite some time that I learned what a great Author you are! I live in Canada and had hoped and planned to hear you read. That is no longer a possibility and I am likely the last person left in this world without an ipod or Kindle.

Over the last six months, due to Cancer, I have had my Prostate taken, my Ureter bisected and - now - my Kidney removed. Now, I am a shut-in restricted to bed rest.

I can live without a TV, in a tiny dreary Hospice Room, and with the daily pain. What I cannot survive is living without Books. Good books help me escape my problems while I am absorbed in the characters and plot. My problem, frankly, is that this disease has also left me broken financially as well as its emotional and physical issues. Is it possible for you to please send me your Books and - perhaps - a couple by Authors you admire. This may be asking too much. But, I NEED good Books right now more than ever before.</blockquote>
Maybe I'm a hard-hearted, cynical bastard but I detected a rat-like odour here and I didn't send a damned thing. I deleted him from my FB friends. So he came back twice more and tried exactly the same trick.

I asked around some of my real Facebook friends, fellow authors. Guess what? Mr Risen had been writing exactly the same letter to them. The only details that changed were those of his medical complaint which seemed remarkably variable over time and the one line that personalised each message to the particular author.

Google is a miraculous thing. I decided to try to work out if there were other items that an unfortunate soul in this condition might need, for free naturally. Guess what?

Poor old Michael sent the same letter <a href="http://blindman.15.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=33953" target="_blank">to a blues music forum</a>. Except in that he said...
<blockquote>What I cannot survive is living without Music. And, I so admire your work. Is it possible for you to please send me CDs of you and - perhaps - if possible, from some of the Artists who inspire you? This may be asking too much. But, I NEED good music right now more than ever before. My days are long, boring and very painful. My refuge - as always - is Music.

Everyone suggests an ipod to me but, frankly, this disease has devastated me financially as well as physically and emotionally. I have been left penniless. If I am not imposing too much, might you also include a few CDs of your favorite Artists? I must gather a good Music Collection. It is terrible to be without the haven that music provides to me.</blockquote>
It's not just music he needs either. Almost every 'men's grooming supplier on the net' <a href="http://www.menessentials.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=94099" target="_blank">has heard from him</a> too. Because --what do you know?
<blockquote>MY GROOMING RITUAL IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE! But, it is mandatory! If there is anywhere that your products are essential, it is in a Shelter! While a good number of people never wash or groom, I find I must even more often than usual due to the unseemly aromas around me. Also, as I am so sick, I must keep clean to avoid infections and such as I have no immune system. (We are infested with Bed Bugs and the like, who feast on me.)</blockquote>
There then follows a list of essential items he'd like for free, namely...
<blockquote>Proraso Shaving Cream (all you can spare)

Baxter of California After Shave Balm

Proraso After Shave Splash

Proraso Pre-Post Shaving Cream

Pacific Oil - All Natural Shaving Oil

Clubman Pinaud Special Reserve Cologne After Shave Lotion

Proraso Liquid Cream After Shave Balm

Taylor of Bond Street Mr. Taylor Collection After Shave Balm

Col. Conk Styptic Pencil

Menaji Moisturizing After Shave

Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel

Nickel Fire Insurance After Shave

Brave Soldier Code Blue After Shave Gel

California North O2XYGEN Eau De Toilette

Sharps Daily Prep Skin Tuner

Musgo Double Edge Razor

100 Blades for said Razor (I can no longer afford Gillette Blades)

Soaps (all you can spare)

Shampoo

Conditioner

PLEASE TWO COLOGNES OF YOUR CHOOSING!! (The aromas here are terrible!) I HAVE USED "D.R. HARRIS" AND IT SHOULD BE ONE OF THEM.</blockquote>
Judging by the response on the link above I don't think he got them. Is this a scam? Of course. Is the man genuinely sick and in straightened circumstances? I have no idea.

But you know what? I actually don't care. True or false, behaviour like this demeans people who are genuinely sick, and don't pass their time sending out begging letters to all and sundry, trying to scrounge everything from free books to expensive cologne.

These days I only give out free books in person, to people and causes I know. I hope you understand why.