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piracy -a blessing or a curse?
I have just discovered that my first novel, Lane's End,which was only ever published as a paperback , is being offered on line as a pdf. I guess this is a form of piracy and someone owes me as they have infringed my copyright. However, I can't help being a little flattered and hope anyone downloading it will want to read the rest of the trilogy, Un-Stable Lane and The Third Lane, and the next book, Never Run Away which is a legitimate ebook.For more information they only have to see my website www.juliecround.com, where they can also follow my blog.
Comments
I have however had artwork taken down from a site by sending them a notice, it went immediately, and you can also find out who the site is run by and report them to Google who will remove them.
The people who download (or try to download) the books are no better. People who steal books aren't going to buy the others, but they might blame you for any virus they get and try to get revenge online.
It's no different to walking into a bookshop, taking a book and walking out with it.
There might be a few people who stumble across the site thinking they've found a special offer or promotion, but whenever I've seen links on Facebook, twitter etc the comments make it clear the people passing on the links know that these are illegal downloads. Sometimes it's 'justified' by the 'fact' authors are already rich enough. Other times it's made out to be a noble act, as though charging for books is a form of oppression.
There's a big difference when you knowingly get pirated e-books.
Still a twonk for doing it, but it's not removing the painting from the shop.
It's not like someone broke into your home, nicked your computer and smashed everything up to be flattering, it's like someone took pictures of your house and stole every single design idea, started dressing up like you, and renamed their husband to suit your fella's name. Again, not the right thing to do and I'm certainly not defending it, but it is not comparable to breaking and entering and smashing a computer.
Cloning my dog and living with the clone is not the same as stealing my dog. I wouldnt be very happy about it, but...
Actually, they haven't because the words probably won't be there, just a big old virus, but they have done much worse than just copied her style - they have taken her work and associated it with underhand dealings, with creepy people who like to broadcast destruction.
If the words are there they have done both, taken her work (which can be sold as a PDf just as easily as in book form) and sullied it.
I was proud of that book because it was accepted as an audio book as well as being in print but I have very few copies left and can't afford to print any more. I was hoping a publisher would want to put all three of the trilogy in one hardback but it hasn't happened. My greatest delight is when I see how many folk have taken it out of the library.
While I'm writing - the new romance should be out this summer!
I watch a lot of movies and tv online so there's probably not much difference but the only reason I do that is my local cinema is very expensive and my boyfriend and I rarely have time to go. And some shows aren't available over here or take forever to come on.
I just feel that if I had a book published I'd not like it if people had it for free so I won't download anymore illegal free books. Though I do find that a lot of books and ebooks can be pricey in some shops and a lot cheaper in other shops and feel that consumers don't get a good deal. I suppose the writers don't either.
I'm happy to support writers and buy their books but I also like a good deal. We live in a greedy society and also a society where everyone wants something for nothing, I'm happy to pay my due. If you can't afford to buy then borrow from the library.. if you can.
A picture book writer some years ago did a picture book with famous painting in the background changed into the characters of his book. The galleries where the paintings were held and the copyright holders of the paintings involved stopped the book from being published because they demanded such high fees and/or didn't give permission.
http://johndopp.com/writers/kindle-counterfeiting-a-growing-threat-to-authors/
https://blasty.co/ (this tool removes illegal copies from Google searches and damages their ranking)