Things that infuriate

I was checking out my stats today on my blog, and it was disheartening, nay infuriating, to discover that several people had found my website by searching for free versions (aka pirated versions) of my books. I’m assuming that after stopping here, they went on to rip me off. It’s infuriating because I work so hard on my books and I want to make a living at this. But when people steal the books, that’s money out of my pocket, money that I’m not able to pay bills with or feed my kids with. I don’t get why stealing books electronically is so very okay with some people. I’m sure they think it’s a victimless crime, but I’m here to tell you, it’s not. That’s real money I’m not making and it’s infuriating knowing that there’s not a thing I can do about it. I report the sites to my publisher when I find them, but in the end, that’s like dropping a cup of water on a wildfire. Not much use. Pirates pop up everywhere.

The only cure is for people to stop choosing to pirate, and unfortunately, they don’t seem to want to. Ironically, they are destroying the careers of their favorite authors. Those authors who can’t make a living writing will stop writing in order to make enough money to eat. Or slow down at the very least. Think about it. I work a day job and writing has become hard to fit into the demands of the job. Stir in the fact that I have a family and that family has needs that I fulfill, I don’t write as much as I like.

If you ever get the chance to protest piracy, do it. Please.

One Comment

  • ChrisP

    For what it’s worth, I never pirate. I read the “Look Inside” teaser parts on Amazon, yes… but that doesn’t work against the author unless they suck. Usually, reading the parts they allow just seals my fate, with the “Read it Now” button so easily clickable in my right margin. 😀

    I think pirates should face the same fate I have devised for those who write viruses… Everyone that they have negatively affected should get one free punch. (Just one, because otherwise it’s cruel.) In this case, everyone that they’ve affected starts with the author, goes to the publisher, editors, etc, and then goes to loyal fans who would miss out if the author gave up or slowed down.

    I’m doing my best to indoctrinate my children as well. We’ll see if that – and many other life lessons – take. (fingers crossed)