I put The Storyteller on Smashwords and Amazon a few weeks ago. This evening I learned that the whole thing had been lifted and uploaded to Amazon under someone else's account. They took my cover and used one of those online services to paste it onto a "book" image, so if anyone tries to tell me that it was a "glitch" they're up in the night. Selling for 2.99, while I was offering it free.
I feel betrayed. I was so angry that I was shaking. I'm still angry.
This is not giving away a copy. This is outright, blatant plagiarism, trying to sell someone else's work. They didn't even bother to change my name, my cover image or the title of my book.
The thing I hate the most is that they will never never never understand what they've done to me. They wouldn't care if they knew.
How anyone can live like that, I don't know. I know people do, but it's beyond my ability to understand.
And on Monday my next book comes out. The timing of this couldn't have been worse.
I've been dwelling on it. I can't figure out how to get past it, to let it go.
I haven't lost anything tangible. If they got any sales (which is unlikely) hopefully Amazon will be decent enough to make sure I get the money. I was giving away the book for free (which I've changed) and if someone chose to download a copy great.
But I will not tolerate someone else trying to make a profit off my work.
What I have lost? A level of innocence and trust. I'll never get that back.
So lessons learned. I will never offer free downloads. If I want to offer a book free I'll get a coupon or gift code.
I will browse the sites for my work
I will never trust Google alerts
I'll keep the letters I sent to Amazon and Smashwords so I won't need to type the next time.
There WILL be a next time
I WILL NOT LET THEM WIN
Any of my followers want a free copy of The Storyteller? Let me know and I'll either send you a copy or get you a free download.
Wow! If you had waited and posted this on Monday I would have thought you were pulling an April Fool's prank. I got 4 hits on your name at Amazon: Author page, The Storyteller, The Storyteller the Princess and the DragonAAA+++, and Without a Voice. The last two I mentioned have your name, but not a link to your author page. I hope you're able to get the pirated copy taken down.
ReplyDeleteThe timing is horrible. Now I'll be angry for my launch date, which rather ruins the whole thing. The "fake" is the one with AAA+++ after the title. I found two more people affected in a brief search, so I'm assuming there are many more.
DeleteI've already asked Amazon to add Without A Voice to my author page.
Thank you for being here. It means a lot to me.
Lauren
Oh Lauren, I hate hearing stuff like this. Try not to let it spoil your launch for you - it happens so often to so many people I know. There are some right scabious people out there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I'm working on it. I feel better this morning. For most scams it's just a matter of not taking the bait. If it was something I had done it would be easier. Instead it's just some stupid scab-head who thinks s/he has the right to anything s/he wants.
DeleteLive and learn, I guess.
Thanks for your support.
Wow that sounds awful!! I've never known someone personally that this has happened to. I would never imagine doing that to someone!
ReplyDeleteNeither have I, until now. But since it happened within a week of the original publication date, I'm guessing it's common.
DeleteOh, I'm so sorry!! I can't imagine what that must feel like. My heart goes out to you :)
ReplyDeleteLots of deep breaths, and I'm trying not to think about it beyond the actions I need to take.
DeleteLike anything, a little better each day.
Thanks for your support.