THE RED GAMBIT SERIES

Now, it may come as surprise to some people, but these books do not write themselves, and I also spend a great deal of money doing trips abroad to ensure that they are as accurate as they can be. Websites and domains also cost money funnily enough. I also give 10% of everything to the charities I list in each book.

None the less, I pitch the price of each book low, in an effort not to prevent people from reading the work on an expense basis.

That means that, whilst I sell quite a few books each month, royalties from sales don't float my boat to luxury levels.

So imagine how annoying it is for an author to discover that some people feel it is acceptable to rip his hard work off kindle and stick it on a file sharing site for nothing? I find myself asking why someone would do that, and then answer my own question with a simple 'cos I can'. I had even enacted digital rights management, in an effort to stop this illegal sharing. That makes the ripping of Impasse even worse, in my view, as you have to get a programme to do the job.

I spend too much of my time dealing with people who see that as acceptable behaviour. However, today had a new angle. A member of this forum has openly posted all four books, for free, on a file share site.

So, I have had to spend over an hour of my life dealing with his actions and, from what I can see, have probably lost well over £200 as a result of this 'cos I can'. Obviously the charities also miss out on extra income.

Now, I'm actually not going to name you, but understand that Bolt.cd and 69.zippyshare are appraised of your illegal actions. You may well wish to remove the items yourself.

None the less, please don't repeat this action. I do the work and you get the benefit of the end product. I should get the small cash benefit of my labours and your illegal activity denies me that for no other reason than 'cos i can.'

Please make sure there are no repeats.

End of rant

Well said.  These books are too enjoyable to risk their termination through the "aren't I smart actions" of the digitally self entitled.  Alan

Stupidity and ignorance are one thng: people can't help it if they lack intelligence and/or education. However, the type of intellectual dishonesty that you describe is not only criminal, it is reprehensible.