Memory Lane ~ Nov. 27/24
Well, it happened. Handsome Devil has cropped up on pirating websites.
It isn’t surprising. In fact, I feel like most people who put out an ebook or, frankly, any creative property on the internet can expect to have it stolen eventually. But it’s the ‘eventually’ that sticks in my craw and makes it feel weird. After all, if someone cares enough to steal it, then surely it means that you’ve made it!
But I know my own numbers and I know that that just isn’t the case. The flip side of that is that if people aren’t really looking for it, then I guess anyone hosting illegal copies is doing so on their own dime with little to no gain. That’s my little consolation prize.
It’s funny since compared to some other creators, I have a pretty lenient attitude towards piracy. I get that money can be tight and that entertainment is often one of the first indulgences to be cut. But art and entertainment are essential just to stay sane. Existing under capitalism is enough to break people down without also taking away small comforts.
However, the same pressures placed on consumers are also placed on creators. We also need money to exist and justify continued creation. Some authors may be big enough to not notice sales lost to piracy, but not most indies. So, I guess I’m okay with piracy in the same way that I’m fine with shoplifting from Loblaws, but do not pull that shit at a locally owned corner store.
At the end of the day, please do not download stolen books. And if you’re here because you read and enjoyed a pirated version of Handsome Devil, please at least leave a review and sign-up for the newsletter.
Lastly, for the love of god, do not donate to support piracy websites. If you can afford to donate to them, you can afford to support the authors whose stolen works they are profiting from.
Until next time, travelers.
Gael
P.S. The extra insult is that the listing doesn’t even have it categorized under the right genres. If you’re going to peddle my stolen wares, at least get the audience right.
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