On 7 March 2008 I had a new release. By the following week my book was up on an Internet pirate site. To add insult to injury the person who offered my book linked directly to the cover art on my website. I’m not the only author this has happened to recently. Both New York published authors and those with small presses are victims and if anything, the problem is becoming worse.
I’m angry, irritated, annoyed, pissed off—all those. Actually, add more “labels” in your imagination because that’s how I’m feeling. I’ve already exercised my potty mouth in the privacy of my own home, but I try to keep this blog clean.
I want to speak directly to the individuals who have put my books up on pirate sites. It’s simple really.
You are a thief.
That’s right. You’re committing a crime. It’s not a defense to say you didn’t know, because I know you do. You’re stealing from me. To put this in perspective let’s say you work forty hours a week, and at the end of that period you receive an envelope of money. Your employer gives the money to me, but instead of handing it on, I take quarter of the money and keep it. Only then do I give your wages to you. It doesn’t feel very good, does it? The fact that I’m taking money you could use to feed your family? The money you’re counting on to pay expenses?
That is what you’re doing to me. Contrary to public belief, authors do not make buckets of money. You are robbing me of a portion of wages I’ve worked hard to earn.
To the people who come to my website searching for free copies of OpShop’s song One Day, shame on you. If you want to listen to their music before buying, check out their website where you can hear the entire album. If you enjoy their music go and buy it from iTunes. That’s what I did.
If you’re reading this and are guilty of the crime of Internet piracy, you’re probably laughing. You probably don’t care, don’t have a conscience. I’d like to point out that what goes around comes around. Your turn will come.
