I’m surfacing from beneath my mountain of schoolwork to say a few words. I’ve just learned Like a Thief in the Night was pirated and made available on a free download site. I’ve notified the administrators of the site and requested removal.
I suppose I should feel angry or something, but mostly I am just hurt and disappointed. I make plenty of material available for free. I like writing. I want readers to enjoy what I write. I have always appreciated it when writers provide free stories online, so I do the same. Pay it forward and all that.
This is why I am so disappointed to see the one and only story I have ever sold pirated. Right now two thirds of all Bettie Sharpe stories available to readers are free. I would appreciate it if instead of pirating the third story, people spend the $2.80 or $3.50 to buy it outright.
That’s less than the price of a latte.
My royalties from Like a Thief don’t pay for my tuition, or my school books or my health insurance. I can’t quit my day jobs. One day I’d like to be able to make a living on my writing, but I know the realities. My chances are slim. However, the fact that I actually have made money on a story–a story that still sells a few copies a month–gives me hope.
I like romance readers and the romance reading community. My experience as both a writer and a reader has been overwhelmingly positive. I believe the pirating of my novella was an abberation–the act of one inconsiderate individual amidst a veritable ocean of decent, honorable readers.
I don’t think my words here will influence that one person to change her mind. Mostly, I just wanted to give a clearer impression of exactly who gets hurt by piracy. The answer would be me: a woman in her early thirties who works two jobs when she isn’t in school. A woman who loves loves to write, and dreams of one day being able to make a living doing what she loves.
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Bettie,
I’m really sorry to hear about the piracy of your book. It’s a shame that a person would stoop so low. Your book is fabulous and I don’t see why they couldn’t just dish out the money to get it. Unfortunately, we live in a world where some people aren’t moved by that kind of supportive morale. Not to mention, they commit these ‘faceless’ crimes forgetting that they’re affecting very specific people. ((HUGS))
It’s good to see you either way, and I hope that this gets resolved quickly. You’re missed around the blog-o-sphere!
*hugs*
That’s just terrible. I’ve seen so many piracy sites pop up, and it’s astounding to me that so many books get pirated, even the titles that aren’t available in e-format. (I guess some people have nothing better to do with their time than scanning individual pages from print books…)
This is the thing nobody talks about when it comes to piracy. Yes, money is important, and we deserve to be paid for our hard work. But nobody ever mentions how much it hurts to see your work up on a free site, to know that the people reading your books–the people you worked hard to entertain–don’t think it’s worth paying for, that they think it’s okay to steal from you, and that if it bothers you you’re just being a jerk or whatever. You’re not even a human being to them. They wouldn’t steal your wallet, but they’ll steal your thoughts and dreams.
I’ve seen my work on a few sites–I was even up on a site where they were SELLING them–and it never fails to make me want to cry.
Aw, man, that’s awful. I just checked your site today to see when your next book is gonna come out. I loved, loooooved Ember. And I bought Like a Thief in the Night when it came out just to support you. I didn’t like that one as much, but figured I’d have willingly paid twice as much for Ember.
Anyway, just wanted to cheer you up a bit and let you know you have some genuine fans who wouldn’t do that kind of thing.
Bettie – that was so well put.
So sorry that happened. The shocking thing is, most of the people who do this would never walk into your house and take something. It’s sad that this type of theft is becoming so common.
Love your point about the latte. Another author pointed out that you can go to a movie for $9 or you can buy her book for $7 and keep it or gift it on.
Why do people think books are so exorbitant when compared with some of the luxuries they don’t bat an eye at.
I hope you see a positive outcome to your email.
bria
My husband periodically does a sweep to see if there are any pirated copies of my books, and then I forward his links to my publisher’s legal department. I’ve never actually visited those links, because I know I wouldn’t want to.
Anyway, you will make a living writing one day.
And in the meanwhile, hope the fires are far, far away from you. I think they are, but just want to be sure.
Hi Bettie: I’m a little late on this thread but wanted to give support to struggling artists albeit in different medium– i’m a photographer. I’m a newly hooked fan of your writing without even reading your novellas; your “freebies” on your website and accolades from authors i enjoy had me eagerly buying your published novella. So, I am truly sorry to read that people can not respect and appreciate your art and pay a few dollars! Please keep creating and I look forward to reading the finished products of your WIP wherever/however you make them available. Cheers!