Step aside, Long John Silver. There is a new pirate in town.

It seems like overnight the world of literary piracy has exploded onto the scene. Just last week, the Atlantic revealed that Meta used pirated copies provided by LibGen to train their AI program. Other for-profit companies have also been revealed to take part in the practice of using pirated work to save money while developing programs that will earn profits. 

Many authors have been left reeling, hurting, and angry about what this means. The books that they slaved over for pennies an hour (or quite frankly less) and sacrificed more than just time have been devalued even more than they were before. It’s a heartbreaking and discouraging feeling to have your work stolen and provided to others for free. 

Join us on Pages of My Life today while Crystal Caudill talks about book piracy #BRRC #Reading #Writing Share on X

How to Recognize a Pirate

Pirates these days don’t wear eye patches, have a parrot on their shoulder, and walk around with a peg leg. Nor do they raise the Jolly Roger to announce who they are or what they do. Remember the lesson we learn from fiction: Villains always see themselves as the hero of their own story. Literary Pirates like to present themselves as the noble hero sent to rescue readers from spending money they don’t have and to spread literature to those who wouldn’t have access to it otherwise. Here are some signs that you might have encountered a pirate:

• You are not on the author’s, publisher’s, or authorized retailer’s website and the book is being offered for free. 
• They claim they are offering this book for free to help others.
• The book comes in a .pdf format.

Warning: Pirates may not just be sharing their book booty, they may also be slipping you the black dot of death. AKA: A virus.

The Bad News

Unfortunately, literary piracy is not a new concept. When doing my research for Written in Secret, I discovered that 19th century American publishers regularly reprinted British literature and sold it to the public without the original British publisher’s permission or licensing. Even before the digital age books were being pirated. The bad news is, just as it was then, piracy is incredibly hard to combat. Authors and publishers can submit cease and desist letters, but as most of these websites are hosted outside the U.S., the websites will continue to exist and provide pirated copies. It can be a helpless feeling to know there is no real permanent way to stop pirates from looting your work or the works of authors you love.

The Good News

How can there be good news when it comes to piracy? You can have a part in helping to fight it. Share what you know about piracy with others. When people understand that the books they are getting for free from that site actually hurt the authors they love, then the hope is they will seek out other avenues to get books. Authors understand that you have a limited budget, but as 1 Timothy 5:8 says, the worker is worthy of their wages. Help show authors that they have value, even if you can’t afford to purchase their books. There are plenty of ways to get free or cheaper prices for the books you love.

• Request your library to purchase a copy so you and others can read it.
• Share the cost of a book with a friend and share it. (Some authors may disagree with me on this one.)
• Subscribe to your favorite author’s newsletters. You will often get alerts about sales, access to free copies, or announcements of opportunities to receive ARCs (advanced reader copies). 
• Follow your favorite authors on social media, Amazon, BookBub, and GoodReads to get notices about sales and free books.
• Enter giveaways hosted by authors. Who knows? Maybe you’ll win!
• DO NOT reach out to the author to ask if you can have a free book because you cannot afford it. See the options above. It might require some patience, but it’s the right thing to do.

Remember the bigger picture.

At the heart of this matter is a problem as old as Genesis 3. Sin. Men want what others have with as little inconvenience to themselves as possible, no matter what the cost is to others. Our family has adopted the saying, “lost people are gonna act lost.” That doesn’t make the actions of others any less painful or right, but it does help our family to approach things like piracy and our response to piracy in the light of Christ. For example, even if we are helpless to seek justice, God is sovereign and can and will use these things to bring His light to the world. As readers and authors, we can’t allow the anger, frustration, and bitterness get in the way sharing the message of love and hope that Christian fiction provides. Authors, keep writing for God’s glory. Readers, keep reading and sharing about your favorite books. 

If you discover a friend participates in piracy, kindly educate them about why it hurts others and how they can get free books without being dragged down to Davey Jones’s Locker. If you come across a site that offers pirated books, let the author or publisher know. They may not be able to stop it, but they can try. And here’s a radical thought, pray for the pirates and those who are lured into the trap of a free book. Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts to turn them to Jesus. The war on piracy is bigger than books. It’s just one part of a spiritual battle where Satan uses the brokenness of humans to discourage and bring down those serving Christ through the written word. Encourage your favorite authors, because the battle is on, and they’re fighting hard to get you those stories.