- AUTHOR Q&A: PIRACY
This morning we discussed free books. Now let’s talk about the problem.
Author: @J. A Demi(author of A Bridge Between)
1. How does piracy affect you financially?
2. What steps are you taking to fight it?
3. Readers: Have you bought pirated books before? Why?This is a safe space for honest discussion. No insults 👇
MOD NOTE: Respect everyone. Authors are people too.
- I will start with first question
1. How does piracy affect you financially?
Piracy directly takes away income from authors. When someone gets a book illegally instead of buying it, the author loses that sale. And for me as an independent author, every sale matters because the money goes into editing, cover design, formatting, printing, marketing, publishing and even creating the next book.
@jademi wow😟looking at it from that example really shows how beyond the surface it runs
@jademi yes 😔putting in all that effort and seeing it go unappreciated can burst morale making you question your worth
The second question
2. What steps are you taking to fight it?
For me, the first step is always making my beta readers, Arc readers etc sign a Non-disclosure Agreement, then I monitor where my books are being shared. I pay attention to social media, reading platforms and groups where readers may share files, and when I come across an unauthorized copy, I report it and try to have it taken down.
I also try to make my books available through legitimate and accessible channels, so readers know exactly where to get the original copy. I include copyright information in my books and make it clear that redistribution isn't permitted.
But beyond takedowns, I'm also trying to educate my readers. I think prevention is just as important as enforcement. My readers need to understand that when they pay for my book, they're directly supporting my ability to continue writing and publishing. And honestly, I am also learning. As an independent author, I don't have a huge legal or publishing team behind me, so I'm constantly learning about copyright protection and the practical steps available to authors when their work is stolen.
@jademi really like that part of educating your readers and making your books available through legitimate channels, most times readers may not be aware of this
@thebookpolitics Which is why I try to educate my readers. So that they can see how it affects me. For those who can't afford to buy, I have some legitimate channels they can read it on, but can't download. But some readers don't care about the impact.
@thebookpolitics I’ll be replying to if I’ve bought pirated books before? Why?
Yes i have, and as for the why
One cause some books are not easy nor readily accessible to some of us in different countries or areas and the 2nd reason will be because it can be way way less expensive
@jhemye that accessibility is an issue ngl 🤧 but just like @@JADEMI have pointed out, she tries to make sure she makes her books available on legitimate channels and we can find them there.
for the cost, we all can agree that good art takes time and money to process.
But just like the sauce drop in the morning, there are other legit ways to get free books and we hope you try them.
@jhemye I like your honesty. But you need to understand that the books are that price because of the editing, formatting, cover design, proof reading, printing, marketing costs.
For A bridge between I spent over 1.5 million. But I sell it 8k and believe me when I say, it's way below what I spent... Alot of authors want to get their money back, they want to grow... Independent authors have no one backing them...
If you need a cheaper version then buy the soft copy from the author legitimate channels, soft copies are less expensive, it's better than buying pirated copies.
@jademi Yes I understand that a lot but sometimes for some of us we just love that feel of reading from a book and not through a device that can easily make one eyes get tired. So when we don’t have access to these books and all of a sudden we see a book we’ve been wanting to read we won’t care much about if it was pirated or original at that point
@jhemye thats where libraries and peer to peer sharing comes in ma bro🙃been thinking of splitting money to get it then it becomes a friend book thing 😂think of love child and it’s a book.
@thebookpolitics The library/peer sharing idea is solid no doubt, but truth be told, libraries don’t always have the books we want. And peer sharing only works if someone in the circle already has it.
That “see book, want book now” moment is real.
Unless there’s a way we can start a small book fund within a circle where we contribute monthly, buy new releases, then rotate. That way we still get physical copies, and authors get paid too.
@jhemye you’re definitely unto something with that book fund idea 💡As BookPolitics grow we will look into making that happen.
thank you so much for such brilliant idea
@thebookpolitics I'll also add that for some of us it’s not just about the story. I’m the type that appreciates the art in books, not just the words; the smell, the cover, the paper texture, that new book smell, the weight in your hand. You definitely can’t get that from a screen.
That’s why library gaps hurts, when the book you want isn’t there and you finally see it, you just want it.
@thebookpolitics I’ve very much aware😂😂😂 i just love the art too much to let go😂
@jhemye I Don get ole as member ohhhh 😂😂😂
for you ehhh we will definitely work a way around bookfund
@thebookpolitics 😎☺️Pls do and when it works just make sure I’ll be the last if by turn. Let me enjoy the art to the fullest before releasing it😗
@jademi Thank you for explaining.
And i do understand how much goes into editing, formatting, cover design, proofreading, printing, and marketing etc. Spending over 1.5 million and selling at 8k is a huge sacrifice. Independent authors really do carry a lot alone.
I don’t support pirated copies. So when budget is not an issue for us but accessing physical books asper preference and feel, what can we do then
@jademi thank you so much for this wonderful gift of making them available for true reader 🤧it is such a wholesome gesture.
We would like to read your work and dedicate a week to it just like we do in our community.
@thebookpolitics I will share the soft copy with you.. that's my gift to your wonderful community
Awnnnnnn🥰🥰🥰🥰
Today an author did something that reminded us why we started this community ❤️
She said: "I will share the soft copy with you.. that's my gift to your wonderful community"
Thank you for gracing our space.
Thank you for letting us see things from the author’s POV.
Thank you for choosing to give, even while fighting to protect your work.
This is what Book Politics looks like.
Authors + Readers + Respect.
Your gift won’t just be downloaded. It will be discussed, loved, and used to educate hundreds more.
We are honored. We are grateful. 🙏
#BookPolitics #ThankYouAuthor #SupportAuthors
Good evening everyone. I'm J.A DEMI, the author of A Bridge Between.
I'm so glad to be here and I'm excited to answer your questions.
Believe me when I say, Authors are trying their best to make their books affordable. But we want readers to understand it's not easy on us... When you buy pirated books you make it harder for us to continue
@jademi we are so sorry and wish to use this community to push the #StopPiracy movement cause all real lovers of book and good work deserves fulfillment from the effort they put 🫡