Up until a couple of years ago, if someone said the word "pirate" I would automatically think of super-hot Johnny Depp. I don't care if he has funky teeth, he's dishy.
However, since I've had the good fortune to be a published author, there's a far less sexy kind of pirate out there---the eBook pirate. This is when someone takes an eBook and posts it on a "file sharing" site so that others can download it for free.
Not cool.
It's not the same as passing a friend the paperback you just enjoyed. When you hand someone an actual book they are the only person reading it. Don't get me wrong. All of us authors love it when you share your excitement about our books, that's how things catch on.
However, when someone posts an eBook on one of these pirate sites, anyone on the planet with internet access can download it. This translates to thousands upon thousands of dollars stolen from every author and publisher.
So not cool.
The good news is that most readers don't do this. I love my readers and I don't think I can ever thank them enough for their continued support. My only request is that they don't download any of my books, or any other author's books, from sites like this.
All Romance Ebooks has created a petition to stop eBook piracy. I signed it and hope you will too! Please feel free to share it with your friends as well.
I also posted a video about all this stuff as well, and even though my hair is totally out of control and I strongly resemble Medusa, you are welcome to share that too.
To thank my super fab readers for their support, I'm giving away a signed set of Amoveo books. Unleashed, Untouched, Untamed and an arc of Undone.
To be entered simply comment here or share this video on your Facebook page and tag my FB author page in the post. Contest ends March 31st at 11:59pm. I'll post the winner on April 1st.
Not cool.
It's not the same as passing a friend the paperback you just enjoyed. When you hand someone an actual book they are the only person reading it. Don't get me wrong. All of us authors love it when you share your excitement about our books, that's how things catch on.
However, when someone posts an eBook on one of these pirate sites, anyone on the planet with internet access can download it. This translates to thousands upon thousands of dollars stolen from every author and publisher.
So not cool.
The good news is that most readers don't do this. I love my readers and I don't think I can ever thank them enough for their continued support. My only request is that they don't download any of my books, or any other author's books, from sites like this.
All Romance Ebooks has created a petition to stop eBook piracy. I signed it and hope you will too! Please feel free to share it with your friends as well.
I also posted a video about all this stuff as well, and even though my hair is totally out of control and I strongly resemble Medusa, you are welcome to share that too.
To thank my super fab readers for their support, I'm giving away a signed set of Amoveo books. Unleashed, Untouched, Untamed and an arc of Undone.
To be entered simply comment here or share this video on your Facebook page and tag my FB author page in the post. Contest ends March 31st at 11:59pm. I'll post the winner on April 1st.
Agreed - and shared :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteGet 'em, Sara!
ReplyDeleteLol. Thx, Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteMake those pirates walk the plank, Sara!
ReplyDeleteyes that is not good, shared Sara :)
ReplyDeleteIt's surely a big problem. Thanks for addressing it and taking a step toward taking the whole thing down.
ReplyDeleteSince they are getting monies that rightfully belong to us, let's each pick a culprit, show up at their house, eat their food (they're buying it with our money), talk nothing but books (they must love them, they're stealing them) and move right in (it's our rent/mortgage money they are taking). Wonder how they'd feel then?
I shared it. Good post.
ReplyDeleteThere's a myth loose that says, "Well these people would never have bought your books anyway." There is NO DATA to support that supposition. Surely out the people who've downloaded my books from more than 150 piracy sites in the past 90 days, a few might have shelled out the 99 cents for which most of my books have been available at some point?
ReplyDeleteThis is tripe. The entire premise behind the "marketing free download," is that people WILL buy from an author they like when they can't get her books for free.
If I let myself say much more about this topic, I will lapse into profanity. I can see the day when some authors are available only in print, because that's one way to foil piracy, or at least make it more difficult.
I can see where this had become a major problem for authors.. I never buy eBooks unless I know they are from reputable source.
ReplyDeleteStealing is stealing and it's just not right!!!
ReplyDeletecatslady5(at)aol.com
I love your passion, Sara and agree with Cheryl...go get 'em!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your passion, Sara and agree with Cheryl...go get 'em!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat video. Shared the link on my FB page and tweeted! I truly hope this makes a difference!
ReplyDeleteThanks for making the video. Don't use FB.
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
I signed the petition - I would never download a book from a pirate site.
ReplyDeleteit would never occur to me to download a book from a non-legit site whether free or not, partly i'd be afraid of what else i might be downloading with it but it just wouldn't feel right & i'd not be able to enjoy the book at all
ReplyDeleteI completely agree & shared on FB & twitter! (June Manning & @juneannm). There are just too many legitimate ways to get books at little or no cost so there is NO reason to steal them!
ReplyDelete--> If I let myself say much more about this topic, I will lapse into profanity
ReplyDeleteNot that there's anything wrong with that, Grace. ;-)
Thanks for your video, Sara. I don't think a lot of people who download books from pirate or torrent sites have thought this situation through to its logical. long-term conclusion. If an author can't make any sort of a living from their work, the author might decide it's not worth the time and effort to write for publication at all. If enough authors make this decision, soon there will be fewer books to steal - and frankly, few of a quality level worth stealing.
Thanks for all the support, ladies! The winner is..>Barbara E.!
ReplyDeleteBarbara---please email me at sara_at_novelromance_dot_net and I'll send you your prize!
ReplyDelete