Well, it’s time once again to beat the dead horse of book piracy. I just visited a site that features all of my published books—total downloads, 9042.
Have a question in your mind about whether book piracy really hurts authors? Two authors recently posted about the direct effect piracy is having on their careers.
In this post, author Saundra Mitchell explains how her failure to earn out her modest advance on her first book, Shadowed Summer, made it nearly impossible for her to sell a second one. Not that the book isn’t popular—on one site alone thieves are downloading 800 copies a week.
Kimberly Pauley, author of Sucks to Be Me explains the direct impact illegal downloads (22,000 on one site alone) have had on sales of the second book in her series. Her publisher won’t authorize a third book because actual sales of the book haven’t been strong enough.
Who steals books? Probably people I would like if I met them—fellow book-lovers. It breaks my heart.
Think—if book piracy is a victimless crime, would so many authors be complaining? Do you think it’s just money out of the pockets of millionaires? Guess again. Most authors don’t go into this business to earn a fortune—but if they cannot make a living, they will have no choice but to turn to something else.
If you want to see more books from your favorite authors, please think twice before you illegally download a book. Confront piracy wherever you see it. And let your friends know you don’t approve.
Climbs down off soap box.
3 comments:
I do agree with you. Downloading books for free is something so vile to the authors and their works themselves. Because like you said, they're robbing you guys off of your possible sequels.
It does make me sad that people can't just buy the books and help the authors out. Perhaps authors should fight to get the sites closed down? I mean it has to be possible right?
I've been hearing more and more about this. Terrible!! What can we do to ban together and stop this from happening?
Agreed! If people don't want to pay for a book, at least go the library or borrow it from someone!
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