The True Cost of "Free"
The Hidden Harm of Book Piracy & What to Do Instead
Dear Inklings,
Technology is a beautiful thing - we have the entire world at our fingertips at any moment, can learn whatever interests us with just a few keystrokes, and can stream or download any type of entertainment or media with just a click of a button. It also opens doors that allow us to stumble upon pirated or stolen content.
AI isn’t the only hot button issue in the publishing world right now - book piracy in general, whether scraped to train AI, or stolen and sold across pirated sites, is also a big topic of concern for authors of every publishing path.
This month, I want to shed a little light on why book piracy hurts authors, and the other ways that readers can get their hands on free books, the right way.
The True Cost of that “Free” Book
When a book is illegally downloaded from a pirated site, it seems obvious to say, that the author doesn’t get paid. But I’ll say it again - the author doesn’t get paid.
According to *Forbes, publishers are losing about $300 million annually due to eBook piracy. I think it is safe to say, that these numbers don’t include independent publishers or small presses. As the internet continues to become more important in our daily lives, the temptation to download any type of pirated media grows, and it becomes easier. But that doesn’t mean that it is right, and downloading pirated books is the same thing as going into a bookstore and walking out with a book without paying. It is still theft, even if it seems to be victimless because it is done online and the impact isn’t seen.
So, what is the cost of that “free” book that was downloaded? Well, for many authors, especially small press owners like me, we rely on each sale to provide revenue to release the next book. Or to at least help towards the cost of the next book if we are just starting out. Piracy not only cuts into the author’s livelihood, but it also cuts into the livelihoods of other publishing professionals, such as formatters, editors or book cover designers, as the author may not have the cash flow to hire out for these tasks.
Downloading free books can also impact you, as you are running the risk of downloading malware, spyware and the like onto your device along with that free book.
Want Free Books? Here’s How to Do it the Right Way!
The good news is, there are plenty of ways to access books for free while still supporting authors and not putting your device and privacy at risk! Here are some alternatives:
Support Your Local Library - Borrowing books from the library helps authors because libraries purchase copies, and some even compensate authors based on how often their books are checked out digitally. If your library doesn’t have the book you are looking for, you can ask them to add it or request it from the interlibrary loan system. Libraries often receive special grants and funding to provide apps like Libby, Hoopla, and OverDrive so their patrons can borrow eBooks and audiobooks for free with their library cards. You can also become a patron of your local college or church libraries.
Use Your Local Little Free Library - Little Free Library just launched their 200,000th location in St. Paul, Minnesota. These libraries are in neighborhoods everywhere, and you can find the ones in your area here. Not only can you reduce waste by donating your own books when you visit one, you can read books for free no matter if you’re in your hometown or traveling. Don’t have one in your neighborhood? Join the movement and build one!
Look for Free or Discounted Deals - There are many platforms like Smashwords, Goodreads, Kindle Unlimited, and BookFunnel that often have special promotions, free book giveaways, or deeply discounted sales, like last month’s Read an eBook Week. Authors also run sales, which they will announce in their newsletters, or social media pages.
Sign up for Author Newsletters - Many authors offer free short stories, novellas, or sample chapters in appreciation to their new subscribers. They also often share sneak-peaks and sample chapters to their subscribers for new books or offer giveaways to generate interest in their past works, or new releases.
Join Review or ARC Teams - Look for opportunities to be part of ARC (Advance Reader Copies) teams - you receive a free book in exchange for an honest review and will have your hands on the book before it is available to the public. Reviews matter, pushing an author’s visibility up, so you can receive free books, early access, and still support the author.
Swap with Friends, Family, and Co-Workers - Share books you own with your friends and family, discover new authors and stories without spending a cent.
Used Book Sales and Book Stores - Cut costs of books by learning about annual book sales and used bookstores in your area. Not only will you not be pirating books, but you will also be helping your local economy. Most used book sales benefit charities or libraries in your community, and used bookstores are often small businesses that are essential to a healthy and thriving local economy.
A Final Thought
As authors, we pour time, effort, heart, and bits of ourselves into our work, and it is a crushing blow to find out that your books have been pirated. Knowing that someone else benefitted financially from everything that we have put into our book babies brings us down even lower. While book piracy is unlikely to go away, I would encourage you to do your part and avoid reading pirated books, no matter how innocent a theft it seems. If you love books, the best thing to do is support authors and publishing companies so that the industry can survive and continue to release new books. And the best way to support the publishing industry and the authors that drive it -besides buying the books- is to spread the word, leave reviews, or request a copy from your library. And don’t be afraid to speak out against piracy when you see it.
Thank you for supporting ethical reading and authors like me as we continue sharing our hearts and our stories.
Happy Reading!
