TorrentFreak has a very interesting interview with Paulo Coelho (author of such classics as The Alchemist) about how book ‘piracy’—instigated by the author himself via a special blog—has helped boost his sales into the 100 million range for the last year alone.

The first quote from Coelho is a gem. But I wonder about the extent to which new writers who are not (yet) novelists can take advantage of this approach, or adapt similarly content-sharing techniques, when they lack both a large existing fanbase and an already-popular vehicle via which to publicise their work.

My feeling is that it is too early for people in my position, with no public profile whatsoever, though the threshold might not be too high. In any case, thanks for sharing, Pirate Coelho!