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How did Cory Doctorow use free electronic versions of his books to promote sales?

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A person holds a Sony e-reader displaying text in front of a large illuminated sign reading e-book multiple times at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. — e-book An e-reader on display at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany, 2012.

Cory Doctorow utilized free electronic versions of his books as a strategic promotional tool to increase his visibility and reach a wider audience in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace.1

By releasing his work under Creative Commons licenses, Doctorow allowed for the free sharing and distribution of his digital files. This approach serves as a bold licensing model intended to boost an author's profile; by making his content easily accessible, he encouraged readers to discover his writing, which in turn helped drive interest and sales for his books. Notably, in 2003, he published Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom as the first novel released under a Creative Commons license, demonstrating his commitment to these open-sharing practices.12