A-hoy, matey! Should ebook pirates walk the plank or be set free?

This is my recent reply on JA Konrath's blog where piracy pros and cons are still being discussed. I am a bit concerned about new authors taking everything Joe says to heart without looking into the issue--illegal copyright theft and sharing. As much as I respect Joe for his marketing abilities, I am not sold on his argument that since we can't fight them we should embrace piracy and do nothing, turn a blind eye. I'm just not wired that way, and I'm not alone.

My comment:

I'm dropping by to give you all another update on the 4shared website that has illegally shared so many authors' works.

Mine were removed--as were many others--after 2-3 brief emails with 4shared. It wasn't time consuming and I didn't find it half the battle as when I was fighting for the rights of authors to keep their signature lines on Amazon book reviews, which we can do now although they had been deleting reviews by authors who had done such.

It's a small win, having your work deleted from pirate sites.

Do I think this solves the issue? Not at all. My work could end up right back on the site, but for now I'm satisfied. At least I took a stand against something that is legally wrong.

The word "copyright" and subsequent laws protecting our copyrights are there for a reason. When a pirate distributes an ebook, they are making illegal copies and conversions, sometimes even scanning a printed book. While there will always be people disobeying this law, it is in authors' best interests to not sit passively and allow this to happen.

Over the past week or so I've been contacted by a number of authors who were not happy to see their works pirated. I was also contacted by the agent of a very well-known bestselling author. She wasn't pleased to find her client's works on 4shared and she and the publishers involved are taking steps to have the works removed. 4shared has been fairly easy to work with on this matter.

As for Joe's belief that authors should sell ebooks for $1.99 to see better sales, that's not a guarantee. Not every author has the fan base or history of publishing with big publishers as Joe has had, and whether he wants to believe that makes a difference or not, it does. Having a series also helps in this situation; hook people with book #1 and they'll come back for more because they want to know what happens next to those characters. I KNOW that if I'd been published by a major or even mid-list traditional publisher, my work would have reached far more people than it did publishing with a small traditional publisher. It's a no-brainer.

That doesn't mean Joe hasn't worked hard. When I read about all his promotional strategies, I'm exhausted. :-) And good for him for being so pro-active on this. Many authors think it's up to the publisher to market their books. It's not.

Regarding ebook pricing: Pricing your ebooks at $1.99 does not guarantee you higher sales, and new authors really need to understand this. It's your fan base and marketing strategies (which includes pricing and much more) that will lead to high sales.

An author with a new release SHOULD market her books a bit higher to put value on it and also so that later, when the book has been out awhile, she can discount it to make it more attractive as a backlist or older title.

This doesn't mean she can't put it on sale every now and then, or give away some free copies--both great marketing strategies.

Anyone who's ever been in marketing & sales (that was my background prior to becoming a published author) of other products will know that new products hold better value. If you start with $1.99 ebooks, you don't have much room to go in discounting, especially since some retailers have minimum prices you have to charge (like Amazon).

Though I bowed out of this debate awhile ago, I'm still reading posts here, plus the many emails I've received privately from authors and (surprisingly) admitted "pirates". Though I appreciate their reasoning and can even understand why they do it, I can't condone it as others here have done. For anyone just weighing in on this debate, it is far better to investigate both sides of the piracy issue before making a decision. And trust me, if you aren't an author or if you haven't been pirated, you have no idea how it feels to have your work stolen and re-distributed. Pirates don't usually download a book they aren't interested in, and in that, authors have lost a potential sale. Period.

But I do agree with a couple of points my new pirate friends mentioned: ebooks need to be priced affordably (less than $5 seems to be the consensus, easily accessible to all ereader devices and easily uploaded. Smashwords.com seems to understand these concepts and I believe they have the most versatility when it comes to formats. My books are all available through Smashwords. Plus, their coupons make it easy for me to discount my books for special sales.

By the way, Smashwords, Amazon on other retailers offer a LEGAL method for people to "distribute" authors' works. It's called affiliation. As an affiliate, you can advertise an author's works on your site/blog (which is very supportive) and then earn money on sales purchased via your affiliate link. Former pirates could then earn money to buy more books. I am more than happy to have others distribute my works this way--and we all win.

I'll leave you all to continue this debate. I've said what I need to say on this subject, as you can see on my own blogs about piracy.

I encourage authors to read everything they can on piracy. Don't take my word for it, or Joe's. We each have strong opinions on what's right and wrong. Make an informed decision based on more than a couple of authors' (or pirates) opinions.

Support Authors, Buy a Book! :-)

My other posts on piracy:

http://cherylktardif.blogspot.com/2010/05/authors-are-your-books-being-illegally.html
http://cherylktardif.blogspot.com/2010/05/update-on-blatant-copyright.html
http://cherylktardif.blogspot.com/2010/05/update-2-on-copyright-infringement-at.html
http://cherylktardif.blogspot.com/2010/05/author-ja-konrath-defends-copyright.html
http://cherylktardif.blogspot.com/2010/05/update-3-authors-get-copyright.html

Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling Canadian author
www.cherylktardif.com

Cheryl is interviewed about contests promotions in Seattle Examiner

I think contests and book giveaways are a great promotional tool that can lead to greater sales and success for authors. Check out my interview in the Seattle Examiner.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif thinks that giving away books in contests can promote your novels

The 7 Most Facinating Characters I've Created

So I was tagged today; I guess that means I'm "it". I'll be honest, though. I really don't like tag games, or chain emails. They usually end up triggering a "DELETE" reaction from me...and a sigh or two. But something was different about today's tag. A couple of things actually. First, I was tagged by Stella Telleria, an aspiring author who also lives in Edmonton. That's 2 points in her favor. Plus, this tag--her assignment--really got my creative muse going "Wow! You can do this one, Cheryl. It'll be easy." So let's see how easy it is.

My assignment, should I chose to accept it, is to infiltrate my novels and covertly spy on my characters until I can boil them all down to the 7 "most fascinating characters" I ever "dreamt up". While making my list,I quickly realized that I had 3 good characters and 4 bad characters. And here goes...


1. Nana has got to be my most fascinating character in WHALE SONG. She is the elderly grandmother of Goldie, the main character's best friend. As the story progresses, Nana puts in appearances that offer both wisdom and compassion, all the while helping Sarah, the protagonist, integrate into a new culture--one filled with native folklore, traditions and mystery. Nana is the seer of all things who helps Sarah when a life-changing tragedy occurs. From the emails I've received from fans of WHALE SONG, I believe Nana is a hero of sorts; everyone seems to love her and her wonderful yet sometimes comical storytelling ability.


2. Del Hawthorne is one of my most fascinating characters in THE RIVER. I think what makes her so appealing to me personally is that I based her on my very good friend Bobbi. Like Bobbi, Del is strong-willed but kind. She's a fighter too, especially when faced with challenges. And believe me, Del is faced with challenges. After her father goes missing and is presumed dead, she moves on with her life, only to discover years later that her father is still alive. But he's being held captive in a remote area up north, an area known for strange disappearances and murders. Even faced with this knowledge, she's determined to rescue her father. Gathering a group of near strangers, she sets off on an adventure that LOST fans will surely enjoy. As Del's health begins to fail, she becomes more fascinating to me--her strength, her determination, her fighting spirit are all admirable.


3. Jasi from DIVINE INTERVENTION is another strong, determined woman I've created. As a government agent in a covert division known as the Psychic Skills Investigators or PSIs, Agent Jasmine McLellan knows how to get things done. She spends her days hunting down serial killers who use fire to dispose of bodies or to kill their victims. Jasi's special "gift" is that of a Pyro-Psychic. Whenever someone dies in a fire and she smells the smoke, she has visions--through the eyes of the killer. But it's Jasi's back story that intrigues me most. Her mother was murdered when Jasi was a child and the case has never been solved. Jasi knows much more about the killer than she realizes. And if this isn't enough, she is haunted by a ghost. Not the ghost of her mother, but of a young girl with a red scar around her neck and dead eyes. I am compelled to write more in this series so that I can learn the truth about Jasi, her mother and this ghost girl.


4. Myrtle Murphy is an intriguing character from a series of short stories. What makes Myrtle so fascinating is that she is a serial killer. In fact, I like to say: "Myrtle Murphy is an unlikely serial killer that you'll hate to love." She's kind of a crotchety old gal and in the first story, A GRAVE ERROR, Myrtle isn't too happy with her husband. He's getting on her nerves, something no one should ever do. In THE DEATH OF AN OLD COW, Myrtle's dead set on ridding herself of a pest--her opinionated, hoity-toity mother-in-law. In MAID OF DISHONOR, Myrtle's got her eyes on someone who has really ticked her off, and all the bells and wedding cake in the world isn't going to stop her from getting what she wants. I think she fascinates me because she gets away with murder. Literally. And she seems almost oblivious to her crimes. Plus, she's sixty-one years old, not some spring chicken. I'm sure Myrtle's a Dexter fan.


5. The Director is a mysterious character from my suspense thriller THE RIVER. What fascinates me most about this character is that no one knows who the Director really is. That being said, I can't really say too much, but it's because the character is cloaked in anonymity and mystery that makes the character especially fascinating. That, and the fact that the Director is involved in a deadly conspiracy that threatens all of mankind. THE RIVER is a mix of Lost meets Timeline meets The Da Vinci Code, and the Director takes it to a whole other level.


6. Harold Fielding, from REMOTE CONTROL, has proven to fascinate audiences of all ages. As a finalist in the Textnovel contest, this novelette explores a character whose greatest desires in live is living a life of luxury--any way he can get it. But as we've all heard before, "be careful what you wish for." Harry has fascinated me for decades as he is one of my oldest characters. The original short story was written in 1986, I believe. In all these years, I have never forgotten Harry, or his terrible greed. He's the kind of guy you turn your nose up at in distaste. While he wishes for fame and fortune, his wife has another wish.


7. Winston Chambers, from my upcoming September release LANCELOT'S LADY is to date my most favorite bad guy. He is a heavyset, heavy breathing, slimy, evil sleaze-ball with no redeeming qualities and I found him an utter delight to create. He emerged from a rough outline with rapid speed, evolving into probably my most hated character ever. I have to thank Waheed (Wally) Rabbani, who entered my Create a Corpse Contest and won with his winning character name entry--"Winston Chambers". Winston is one character you'll love to hate.

I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse at what I consider my 7 most fascinating characters. Of course, in the end it really doesn't matter what I think. If you've read any of my novels or short stories, I would love to hear which characters you found most fascinating.

Now, who to tag next...

Betty Dravis
Eileen Schuh
Carol D. O'Dell
C.J. Ellisson

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write about 7 themes found in your works (novels, nonfiction, short stories etc). I'd like to know what made you explore these themes and what research you may have done. Tag! You're it! :-)

Cheryl talks about Muse and Inspiration over at WickedWriters.com

C.J. Ellisson, a talented writer I met while we were both competing in the Dorchester Next Best Celler contest over at Textnovel, invited me to be a guest blogger over at Wicked Writers, and of course I said yes.

If you've ever wondered what inspires me and what I consider my muse to be, come on by and check out my post at: Muse and Inspiration, Do You Have Any?

~Cheryl

If you were a fan of the hit TV show LOST, you'll love THE RIVER

For LOST fans now going through withdrawal symptoms, here's a quick fix. My bestselling thriller THE RIVER is like LOST meets TIMELINE meets THE DA VINCI CODE, and I am positive you'll enjoy it.

THE RIVER is set in the wilds of the northwest territories, in an area along the Nahanni River that many refer to as the Bermuda Triangle of Canada. For decades people have gone missing or have ended up dead. For real.

In THE RIVER a group of people travel to this unpredictable and deadly area in search of a missing father, only to discover that another world awaits them--one that is fraught with danger, deception, conspiracy, time travel, medical experimentation and murder. Who will make it out alive?

Seven years ago, Del Hawthorne’s father and three of his friends disappeared near the Nahanni River and were presumed dead. When one of the missing men stumbles onto the University grounds, alive but barely recognizable and aging before her eyes, Del is shocked. Especially when the man tells her something inconceivable. Her father is still alive!

"Cheryl Kaye Tardif specializes in mile-a-minute pot-boiler mysteries." --Edmonton Sun

"Cheryl Kaye Tardif skillfully balances scientific intrigue, and the human desire to retain a youthful body, with tantalizing sexual tension, and vivid characterizations in this engrossing romantic thriller...Exciting and vivid." --Midwest Book Review

"You're in for an absorbing adventure--with more twists and turns than the Nahanni River itself--and a surprising, yet satisfying ending that leaves you gasping for more." --Betty Dravis, author

THE RIVER is available in paperback online through Amazon, Chapters, Barnes & Noble and more. It is also in select bookstores, or you can have your bookstore order it in. (I'm a proud supporter of independent bookstores too.) 

It is also available in ebook format through KoboBooks, Smashwords and the Kindle Store.

Feed your thirst for a good story and get lost in THE RIVER.

Update 3: Authors get copyright infringed piracy works removed from 4shared

For those of you following the book piracy issue over at 4shared.com, this will be your final update from me (I hope). Reports from other authors have been a mix of relieved authors who found only book reviews posted, to furious authors who've discovered full works being pirated. Many of those who chose to report the abuse have found the problems remedied--for now. According to 4shared, my material that was shared has been removed from the system. I checked and it's now gone. Thank you, 4shared.com!

Does that solve the problem of piracy? No.

Does this prevent it from ever happening? No.

I am a realist (yes, and a dreamer) and I do know that theft has and always will be a huge problem with human nature. People steal for all kinds of reasons, and piracy of intellectual rights comes with its own built-in justification system. While some feel it'll never go away so lie down and don't fight it, others will take the necessary steps to right the wrong when they can. These, too, are both sides of human nature, and neither is the wrong approach.

To those who feel they have all the answers and that theirs is the ONLY sensible approach, good for you. I'm glad you're satisfied with where you're at and with what's happening to your works. To others who feel piracy threatens their livelihood or profession, I feel for you. We ARE limited to some extent by what we can and cannot do to prevent piracy. But we can at least try. And good for those of you who took a stand. Most people balk at a fight or challenge. It's far easier to walk away than to step into the battle.

As I've been saying a lot the past couple of days:

You either stand for something, or you sit for everything.

To those authors whose works are still up even after reporting abuse, be patient. It'll take a few days, but once you've provided the info they requested, it'll get taken down and I suspect without much of a fight--as mine was. Good luck to you all and kudos for standing for something.

Support Authors, Buy a Book!

I wish JA Konrath and everyone else, no matter which side of this debate you're on, the very best in success always.

If you haven't read the previous links on this topic, here they are:

UPDATE 1

UPDATE 2

Update: Author JA Konrath defends copyright piracy

Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
critically acclaimed author of Whale Song, The River, Divine Intervention
http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Author JA Konrath defends copyright piracy

If you haven't been following this topic, please read my first post:
http://cherylktardif.blogspot.com/2010/05/authors-are-your-books-being-illegally.html

After notifying fellow author JA Konrath that his books were being illegally downloaded on 4shared.com, I was surprised that he boasted about his cavalier attitude regarding copyright infringement on his blog. But I can see where it stems from. He's reportedly making quite a bit of money from his books, one of few authors I know that is making a living off their work. So why should he worry?

In his post, Konrath suggests that authors have "freaked-out" over this issue and that we're a bunch of idiots who are uneducated. "If you really fear piracy, educate yourself...If you have an ounce of brains in your head, you will quickly realize that piracy is always going to be here."

Most of his post validate pirates and their theft of copyright protected works. To say I'm disappointed in his attitude is an understatement. But hey, he has a right to believe what he wants. And so do I and the other authors I've spoken to this week who are not impressed to find their copyrights infringed.

This was my response to his post:

Joe, as one of the four authors who took time to alert you to the piracy of your books, I'm offended by your cavalier attitude and your comments that people who fear piracy are basically stupid and uneducated. I am neither. I am smart enough and educated enough to make a decision on whether piracy hurts me as an author, and I believe it does.

Of course you disagree. As you told me in your email reply, you're still raking in the sales at $230 a day, so a little piracy isn't hurting your sales. Let me assure you that the majority of authors are NOT making money like this. Most authors I know are lucky to make that amount a month.

So yes, theft of our works strikes a protective chord for most of us. We simply cannot afford to have other people illegally offering up our works to others for free. It is up to the author or publisher to give away free books, and I do that often, on my own terms and when I can afford to do so.
Maybe if I was making $200+ a day on book sales, I'd have the same attitude about piracy, but I hope not. I hope that I always remain humble enough to remember the struggle to get there and to remember how I started, with one book and one sale.

Show me a music artist who has NOT been hurt by sites that offer free downloads. I have a lot of friends in the music industry. They're all struggling. A few hundred (or thousand) dollars a month they could have made from the illegal downloads would certainly help them out. The music industry has been fighting this same battle for years. I expect authors will too. That still doesn't make it right.

I am not alone in this. Besides other authors, agents and publishers, one of the major writers organizations in the US--Authors Guild--has already begun an investigation into sites like 4shared.com. The 5-10% writers who are actually making a decent living from their writing may never see the loss of money that piracy results in, but the other 90-95% of authors will.

I'll always stand up for the rights of authors and content creators.

UPDATE:
I spent most of the day participating in an interesting debate on this topic with JA Konrath and visitors to his blog. You might want to check it out and leave a comment. One thing I most enjoyed was that visitors to the discussion were quite respectful. I encourage you to be the same here and on Joe's blog. It's not easy to take a stand (on either side), but I hope the discussion will give you food for thought.

Support Authors, Buy a Book!

Cheryl Kaye Tardif
award-winning Canadian author
http://www.cherylktardif.com/