Over to Georgeann...
Book piracy is a growing menace to
authors and publishers. However, I’ve discovered something just as
disturbing--bloggers putting a positive spin on book piracy. These
bloggers claim there are many “gray” areas with this issue. Yet,
the gray areas they mention are only gray to the people benefiting
from this practice. As an author, I don’t see anything gray about
it. Book piracy is as clear as the waters of the Caribbean.
“It’s NOT stealing.”
The bloggers who preach this line of thinking really wave around
their muskets over this. Yeah, so technically, according to laws in
the U.S., it’s infringement. However, to the author who spends
months or years writing a novel, then spends months editing, and then
spends many more months promoting the book, piracy sure feels like
stealing. It’s funny how a lot of spending is done by the authors
and publishers, but these takers feel entitled to get something for
nothing. In my view, book piracy is the same as shoplifting. These
people lurk around cyberspace and sneaking intellectual property on
to their computers without paying for it the same way a shoplifter
goes into a bookstore, sneaks a book into his coat and leaves.
“Book
piracy is good for authors.” Some bloggers toss around this wet
mop like they’re swabbing the starboard side of the boat. “But
dear author,” they say. “This gets your book to the masses so you
can be discovered. Once readers know how great you are, they’ll be
happy to pay for your book.” Well guess what, bestselling authors
have their books pirated every day. According to this line of
reasoning, readers should be purchasing popular novels, not getting
them from some hacker.
“Sometimes ebooks are just too
expensive”. W-w-what?! Let me put this into perspective. I’d
love to have a yacht, but it costs too much. Is that a good enough
reason for me to go out and hijack one off the open waters? If I
can’t afford something, I don’t buy it. Period. Here’s a
thought. If you don’t have the cash for a $3.99 ebook, start
saving. And if you feel $9.99 is too much to pay, use the library or
wait until the price comes down.
Just because you put a positive spin
on something doesn’t make it right. Bloggers touting the positives
of book piracy need to get their heads out of the fog. Book piracy is
wrong. Bloggers who defend book piracy need to stop rocking the boat.
All they’re doing is help sink authors while throwing a lifeline to
a bunch of thieves.
What are your thoughts on book piracy?
Georgeann
Swiger earned her degree in journalism from West Virginia University,
and then spent five years as an anchor/reporter at WBOY-TV in
Clarksburg, WV. After having children, she left television news to
be a stay at home mom. During that time, she discovered creative
writing was more fun than writing about real life tragedy. Imagining
interesting characters and having them come to life on the page is
now her passion. When she’s not writing, she works as a substitute
teacher. She lives in Reedsville, West Virginia with her husband,
two kids, a beagle dog and a temperamental cat who tries to rule the
house.
When
seventeen-year-old Anya finds out she’s actually an angel being
trained to protect humanity, she discovers that becoming an angel has
nothing to do with wings and haloes. For Anya, becoming an angel has
to do with death—her death.
Micah,
the angelic soldier ordered to protect her until she transitions from
human to angel, promises her death will be a glorious experience as
long as she follows his rules. But getting Anya through this life and
to the next isn’t as simple as Micah expects. His job becomes even
more difficult after he unwittingly performs a miracle that exposes
Anya’s hidden angelic light.
With her
secret out, Hell’s legions begin targeting her. Unfortunately,
Hell’s minions are the least of Micah’s worries. He’s more
concerned about the forbidden human emotions he’s developed toward
Anya. Even more troubling, is she seems to love him too. And giving
in to those feelings, could mean dire consequences for them both.
Great post, Georgeann. I think this applies to music and movies too. I've heard the same this sprouted as reasons as justification in pirating other forms of entertainment. It's just wrong.
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