Why I Gave Away My Book for Free After It Hit the Bestseller List

When my book Build Your Own Electric Vehicle (Second Edition, McGraw-Hill) hit the bestseller list, people assumed I’d take a victory lap—or at least raise the price. Instead, I offered the eBook version for free to anyone who asked. That choice surprised many, but the reason was simple: impact mattered more than income.

Success Meant More Than Sales

Making the bestseller list was exciting. It validated years of work, interviews with engineers, real-world EV builds, and research on battery technology. The book gave readers a blueprint to take control of their transportation future, one conversion at a time.

Still, the real reward wasn’t the ranking—it was the mission.

I didn’t write the book just to sell copies. I wrote it to help people understand electric vehicles and empower them to build their own. Once it reached bestseller status, I knew it had momentum. So, I chose to open the floodgates.

Spreading the Word—Not Just the Book

Many people want to live greener but feel stuck. They see EVs as too expensive or too complex. My book was written to break down those barriers. And if cost was still holding someone back from learning, I didn’t want to be the reason.

That’s why I announced I’d send an electronic copy to anyone who emailed me directly. No strings attached. No catch. Just access to clean transportation knowledge—instantly.

The reaction was overwhelming. My inbox filled with requests from students, mechanics, hobbyists, environmentalists, and even high school science teachers. Some wanted to convert their old gas cars. Others wanted material for class projects or nonprofit initiatives. Every email reminded me that change doesn’t always start in showrooms—it often begins in garages and classrooms.

Giving Creates a Ripple Effect

I didn’t lose money by giving my book away. In fact, the free giveaway did more to expand my reach than any marketing campaign could. People who received the digital copy often shared the experience on blogs or social media. Some translated chapters into other languages. Others invited me to speak at events or webinars.

The book became more than a how-to guide. It became a movement.

And even better, it contributed to real environmental impact. Readers emailed photos of their electric vehicle builds. Schools adopted the book into their green curriculum. Engineers in developing countries used it to design low-cost EVs for local transport. That’s the kind of change I wanted from day one.

Why Free Matters—Even After Success

Giving away a bestselling book may seem counterintuitive, especially in a world obsessed with monetizing content. But for me, the payoff wasn’t financial. It was seeing people take what they learned and build something meaningful—with zero emissions and full enthusiasm.

Sometimes, the best way to celebrate success is to pay it forward.

In the environmental world, access is everything. If knowledge stays behind a paywall, it slows down the very progress we need to fight climate change. So I broke the wall. And the response showed I wasn’t alone.

It Was Personal, Too

I grew up believing that one person could make a difference—and that change often starts small. Whether it’s switching a light bulb, installing solar, or converting a car, every step counts.

When I saw that Build Your Own Electric Vehicle was changing lives, I felt obligated to make it even more accessible. Free eBooks were my way of saying, “You matter. Your actions matter. And here’s the info to help you get started.”

Looking Ahead

Since then, I’ve published more books, including Green Lighting and The Green Guides series. But that first free giveaway remains one of my proudest moments.

It reminded me that good ideas should travel freely. And when people are equipped with knowledge, they build momentum—one clean mile at a time.

Final Thought

If you want to inspire change, don’t guard your work—share it. Giving away my book wasn’t a loss. It was an investment in the planet, the people, and the possibilities of a greener future.

Goodreads Listing for Build Your Own Electric Vehicle
Goodreads confirms the book’s mission to empower DIY builders and eco‑enthusiasts with practical guidance on EV conversion—supporting Leitman’s stated purpose of accessibility and environmental impact.