I'm on a rant today...
With the dawn of AI, even artistry is becoming automated. Would-be authors have decided they can use AI to write a complete book.
AI is NOT the be-all and the end-all. There is only so much you can do with soulless technology. It is flawed, and its creators are pirating work from actual artists to train it.
I was recently notified that my work was pirated without my consent, and as part of a class action lawsuit, I am now entitled to compensation. Theoretically. I'll believe it when I see it. This is only the first of many, as I understand it.
As an independent author, there are costs that go into producing a book. Sure, it's easy to say "it doesn't cost anything," but if you want to put out a quality product, you need an editor. Some people use a variety of editors for different things, or one editor for a variety of things. There is the cost of commissioning a quality book cover. There is the cost of formatting. If you do an audio version, you might have paid a narrator. Some people have skill sets that make life easier, but as one of my author buddies always says, hire out what you aren't good at. And here's the thing. I was an editor on the day job, and I still hire an editor, because that's a particular skill that requires "a second set of eyes." I can get close. I get it right for the most part, but it's way too easy to miss things.
The settlement will cover some of those extra costs, assuming the amount they're predicting comes through, and that's just from the AI pirates.
There are other pirates out there. How many people want to save a buck and find a place that offers books for free? Legitimately? There are far too many pirates out there, but let's call them what they are. Thieves. You're buying "fenced" goods. Some people might remember when recording artists sued streaming services for essentially giving away their music for free. Hey, we need to eat, too.
There are plenty of authors who offer books free of charge to their readers - first in series is a prime example. We want you to read our books. Take the free one, and if you like it, support our work. If you can't afford to buy books, get them from the library. If they don't have the hard copies, you can bet they'll have the electronic copies, or you can request the hard copies.
I'm pleased the AI book pirates are being addressed, but that doesn't cover all the pirating that happens. I write because I love to write. I publish to share my work with you, but there are a lot of hours of blood, sweat, and tears that go into my work, and I don't overcharge my readers. In a lot of cases, my books are cheaper than a cup of coffee. I have to sell a lot of books just to break even. If you can't justify supporting an author as easily as your coffee habit, there will be fewer authors to choose from. I can't tell you how many days I ask myself if it's worth it. For myself? Yes. Sharing it? Not if you'd rather support a pirate than an author. It's very disheartening.
