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It's on a site that allows people to download HUNDREDS of books for free. And no, I'm not giving out the link. One never knows who they can trust these days.
I know a writer who recently held a contest to give away ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) on her Facebook page. I won one of them. Before I even had a chance to find mine in my e-mail, she discovered her novel on a pirate site. It isn't even officially published yet! Now she knows that someone she gifted with a free copy of her book betrayed her kindness and generosity...
What pisses me off the most about my situation is that 'Thoeba' is only 99 cents! Really? Are people that cheap that they aren't willing to fork out a dollar to support a writer and her independent publisher? Do they know who they're stealing from?
They are stealing from Staccato Publishing. It is a small independent publishing company owned by Heather Savage. She spends a huge amount of time and money to promote and distribute her writers. She's got a skeleton staff to help with marketing, editing, and other things like book covers. No one there can afford to do it full time. They all have other jobs, and nobody is getting rich.
And they're stealing from me. I love writing. And I'd like to make enough money doing it so my husband can quit the job that makes him miserable and maybe go to school to do something he'd love.
I believe only myself or Staccato should have the right to give out free copies for promotion. And NO ONE ELSE should profit from all our hard work.
Because you know what? When the pirates take from an author, that author wonders why they're working so hard. Why they put so many hours into their passion only to have someone else use them. And when those writers stop publishing, and the small time publishers disappear, you can all go back to buying the pricier books from bigger publishers. They can afford better lawyers.
Firing squad. No, that's too good for them. Water boarding?
ReplyDeleteAll kidding aside, these pirates deserve to be caught and prosecuted.
I absolutely agree Kathy. They're pirates, perhaps they should walk the plank. Even as I published this blog today, the writer who sent me the pirate link got pirated for the second time this week. Grrrrrr...
DeleteI'm onboard with you. It just goes to show how much people feel entitled to everything for free. The internet has provided a means for people to steal and feel justified in doing so. I fully support your publisher and it's authors. I have found many happy hours reading books I discovered through them. artistic endeavors need to be encouraged and nurtured and if pirates continue to run unchecked it could lead to the demise of independent talent such as yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kevin <3 You've always been an amazing supporter of us. We appreciate you and readers like you soooo much <3
DeleteWell said, Donna! They're not only pirates, they are parasites. Inexcusable by any stretch of the imagination.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it better than you, Raymond. I think 'parasite' is a better name for them, as I immediately picture bloodsucking leeches.
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