This is a post I talked about two years ago from Facebook when I was at my last straw with the "Almighty Zon." But it is STILL relevant today.
My post focuses on the bots. My book that I wanted to publish is indie, but that's not the ONLY books that get flagged sometimes.
SOMETIMES an author working with a small publisher will have problems with the bots, too! And that is the focus of this blog post.
A lot of us authors are tired of the bots that don't talk to you. A lot of us are tired of never having a human experience. A lot of us are tired of being shut off if we--DARE I SAY! Get pirated if we are a KU exclusive author! But I can tell you this happens! And EVEN NOW!
I know as a reader you get really excited about the author you just met and you want to shout out to the world that they are awesome--who wouldn't! I do that too!
When I first discovered Jasinda I wanted to shout on the rooftops! Especially because I was using this writer as an outlet for my waiting for a miscarriage surgery. The book I was reading allowed me to escape my trauma at the time. And weirdly, given the plot? You'd think it wouldn't. BUT it DID. Stripped (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18108903-stripped) was exactly what I needed at the time because I related to the heroine.
Many of you probably feel the same way I do when you discover a new author like this. But here's where I caution you when you share from the roof tops...
Sharing the entire book on a pirate site so others can read it is WRONG in so many ways. I get you want to share it for free because they are good and people need to read them. But this is the wrong way to do it. Not only does the author NOT get paid, but you may very well prevent the author from using Amazon as a way to publish if they are KU exclusive.
I'm what is called a hybrid author. I use small publishers and do indie so I can diversify my income. But here's the thing with that. ONE of my publishers is a KU exclusive and IF you shared those books exclusive to KU? Well, I will not only NOT be able to have those books available, but even my publisher will be run the risk of being shut down. Hence? Those books are no longer published for your reading enjoyment! Not to mention me having a hard go with other small publishers BECAUSE of the steal!
Please don't share your books--even though I know it is tempting!
Please do the author the favor and ask if our books are library accessed--or worst case? Ask us if we have the same OR a different book to share for free on our website to your friends.
This is our bread and butter. We feed our kids with what little (or much) we make, so please don't share our work to pirates.
Thank you.
Happy Reading,
Amanda