It seems some site is set up with downloads of my novels, with covers, blurbs, the works. "We are proud to present this book as a free download." Off to the side, they have ads, clicks, and promotional links for themselves, which I assume means they're deriving indirect profit from doing no work beyond reposting mine.
Now, I have no problem if people share my stuff by email or P2P. It's not worth the time to complain about, and if their time is worth less than the $6 a download costs, they have my sympathy, and my wishes that they enjoy the stories. They can pay for some future piece.
But, archiving my stuff on a site, advertising it, giving it away and deriving profit from the process crosses a line somewhere.
I responded in vigorous fashion. I sent...an EMAIL! [which took less time to write than this post]
The publisher has unleashed a slavering pack of vicious attack rottweilawyers. I don't have to pay them, I don't have to follow up, and I don't have to be the bad guy. I just have to sip this beer and watch the hilarity ensue.
If it accomplishes nothing, I'm out nothing. If it accomplishes something, I'm ahead, and still out nothing.
Now, I have no problem if people share my stuff by email or P2P. It's not worth the time to complain about, and if their time is worth less than the $6 a download costs, they have my sympathy, and my wishes that they enjoy the stories. They can pay for some future piece.
But, archiving my stuff on a site, advertising it, giving it away and deriving profit from the process crosses a line somewhere.
I responded in vigorous fashion. I sent...an EMAIL! [which took less time to write than this post]
The publisher has unleashed a slavering pack of vicious attack rottweilawyers. I don't have to pay them, I don't have to follow up, and I don't have to be the bad guy. I just have to sip this beer and watch the hilarity ensue.
If it accomplishes nothing, I'm out nothing. If it accomplishes something, I'm ahead, and still out nothing.