Book 'pirate' goes underground after being named by Terry Goodkind

[xg4bx]

"Wizard hero Richard Rahl smites wrongdoers with his Sword of Truth. His creator, the bestselling fantasy author Terry Goodkind, turned to Facebook to name and shame a fan who pirated a digital version of his latest novel, The First Confessor.

Goodkind, whose epic Sword of Truth fantasy series has sold 25m copies around the world, according to its publisher Tor, took the unusual move of deciding to self-publish The First Confessor: The Legend of Magda Searus as an ebook exclusive. The book was released earlier this month and quickly shot up Amazon's bestseller list, but despite it being made available in a multitude of formats, for $9.99, pirated editions soon started to appear.

Goodkind was outraged, and decided to name one of the pirates on his Facebook page, posting the perpetrator's details – including a photo – and prompting an onslaught of online fury against him. "So Josh, how about it — no respect for a hard-working author and fellow racing enthusiast? Not even for someone that is emphatically trying to reach out to people that might consider pirating our hard work? Can't be bothered to read and consider our note on piracy in the front of the book?" wrote Goodkind. "How ironic you claim to be a fan of books that uphold truth and honour above all else. We hope the price of fame is worth the cost of your infamy."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012...terry-goodkind

I'm torn. On one hand I think Goodkind went a tad too far. On the other, I think shame is still a powerful deterrent.

At least he followed his own political principles and solved his own problem rather than merely wringing his hands and whinging about how we need more draconian government intervention to combat piracy.

[wyndslash]

well, he did take it into his own hands, and i do agree that shame is a powerful deterrent. at the same time..i'm just as torn as you

[Giggleton]

Is it honorable to write, and then only allow a select few to read??

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

Is it honorable to write, and then only allow a select few to read??

A select few meaning anyone who has $8.99?

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

Is it honorable to write, and then only allow a select few to read??

This isn't a life-saving drug. It's not a vital foodstuff. Rather, it's entertainment. Thinking it wrong to set a price for mere entertainment is extreme.

I don't know if this is true, but suppose that Goodkind is far wealthier than the pirate. If so, I'm open to thinking that Goodkind didn't live up to his name here. But, as a general principle, setting a price for what you write, and defending yourself against those who disrespect it, is a highly honorable choice.

This would be even true if only a select few affluent people could read the book, when, of course, a substantial portion of the world's literate population can get his book through a public library.

[JeremyR]

I'm curious as to how he knew this guy pirated it.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

This would be even true if only a select few affluent people could read the book, when, of course, a substantial portion of the world's literate population can get his book through a public library.

Well, not THIS book because it's not available at a library. Just searched Overdrive - nada.

[HansTWN]

A very uplifting story. It shows that many people still believe in justice.

[crossi]

How exactly did he know that that person had pirated his book? How did he even know that he had the ebook pirated or not? If the governmennt confiscated my computer they could see that files I had but I can't see how a private individual could find out without breaking into my house. Did he hack a pirate downloading site to get the names of people downloading his book? Unlikely. In either case he broke more laws that the person downloading a pirated book. All in all I don't believe it.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Well, not THIS book because it's not available at a library. Just searched Overdrive - nada.

Correct for eBooks. I was thinking paper.

Call me an old fuddy-duddy, but I refuse to believe that reading a fantasy book in the form factor of your choice is a fundamental human right.

[kennyc]

Excellent!

[Lastblade]

Why would anyone pirate his trash?

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Correct for eBooks. I was thinking paper.

Call me an old fuddy-duddy, but I refuse to believe that reading a fantasy book in the form factor of your choice is a fundamental human right.

He's not publishing it in paper except for the $300 limited edition. Otherwise, I would never have mentioned the library absence.

[xg4bx]

Originally Posted by JeremyR

I'm curious as to how he knew this guy pirated it.

i'd probably chalk it up to stupidity. this guy probably posted his facebook info and whatnot in his file-sharing profile. many pirate sites are message board communities just like this one.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by xg4bx

i'd probably chalk it up to stupidity. this guy probably posted his facebook info and whatnot in his file-sharing profile. many pirate sites are message board communities just like this one.

Okay, just because internet train wrecks fascinate me...

The pirate in question apparently made himself known in the Goodkind fan communities prior to offering the book. Then he made the mistake of announcing his illegal wares just a little too close to the fanbase. I'm guessing at that point, someone notified Terry or one of Terry's peeps.

So yeah, stupidity.