(Inserted note, November 30th, 2012: The book seems to be gone from Amazon now, but I'll leave this post on here for now.)
A friend sent me a link to this book:
A friend sent me a link to this book:
The title is shown on Amazon as, "Poverty Prepping: Saving for a Rainy Day when you Don't Have Much Today"
Now, how many people would have thought up that title on their own? It's kind of close to my book, "Poverty Prepping: How To Stock Up For Tomorrow When You Can't Afford To Eat Today", don't you think? My book was published 6 months before this one.
This book was published by an App mill. They steal other people's books and publish them with similar titles, and steal sales. Click on the author's name, which is shown as "Malibu Apps", and you'll find over 100 of these stolen books. They re-write them enough to avoid plagarism laws.
The heartbreaking thing is that I'm just a regular person who wrote this book to help people get started prepping. My heart is for others like me who have almost nothing to spend beyond our needs for today. I charged the Amazon minimum of .99 for a kindle book, of which I get 35-cents per sale.
I wasn't planning to buy a vacation home on a tropical Island with my earnings. I hoped to get new eyeglasses, since my grandson broke the earpiece a couple months ago, and they're still taped with duct tape while I save the money for the exam and glasses. I hoped to replace some of the preps we've had to eat heavily out of this past couple years during our economic hard times. Maybe I'd have enough for new tires for my car, a 1996 Jeep Cherokee, and to replace the windshield that has two cracks all the way across it.
The world isn't always a fair place. I'm old enough to know that, but it still hurts when things like this happen. I have no idea what to do about the pirated similar book, except hope that I can rise above it and keep writing books, keep up this blog, and carry on.
Thank you for your support.
Susan
Susan
Welcome to the club.
ReplyDeleteThe Web is the wild, wild, west - one without a Sheriff.
It took only 4 months before my work showed up on a ferrin site offering it for a pittance.
You can only leave commets where possible advising folks they are buying a ripped-off work.
DKR
I'm sorry it's happened to you too. It's sad that in the quest for money, some people don't care that they are hurting someone else when they do this. On the writer's forum I've watched other people go through this and felt bad for them, so I knew it happens. It was a terrible shock when it happened to ME, even though I knew that.
DeleteIt's not just about the money, either. It's the same kind of horror you feel when you come home and find your house has been robbed and ransacked. I know. Our house WAS robbed and ransacked in 1984. I feel stunned and angry.
I did leave a comment about it at Amazon.
I promise to only buy your unpirated works. I am so sorry this has happened to you. You're right, life isn't fair. Funny thing is how many people disregard reviews. If I like the style of a writer, I don't even look at reviews. You will never satisfy everyone. Just keep plowing ahead, please.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Thank you. I appreciate your views and your kind words! :)
DeleteSusan
Susan, I purchased your very good book from Amazon. I also have a book (a novel) on Amazon, so I thought I'd mention that Amazon has a way for you to report if someone has copied your copyrighted material. I cannot remember off hand where the button is found, but I think if you search on Amazon for something like "kdp copyright infringement" or "reporting copyright violation" -- you should be able to find the method for reporting it. If Amazon determines the "new" book is too close to your content, they will take it down. Also, you may want to check the author "community" to find a discussion thread on this problem. Good luck to you on this! C. J. Hall
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm grateful for this information, and I just went to KDP and filled out their form to report this. I hope they look into it.
DeleteSusan
That really ticks me off. If it is any consolation, I just bought your crunching numbers book. Most of it I knew, but the idea of drying garden wastes for animal food in winter was totally new and GENIUS! That tip alone makes the book worth it. Carry on, you are doing admirable things.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm touched by your kind words and support! Im glad you've found my books useful, and learned something new from the crunching numbers book! You're brightened my day!
DeleteSusan
I'm sorry this happened to you. You're right, some people can be heartless. But, they are the cowards who hide behind a keyboard, who never had an original thought in their pathetic lives. These are also the same types of fools who will rely on the government and FEMA when disaster strikes. You, on the other hand posses the courage to share your tips, insights and successes. All the while not trying to gouge your readers. Carry on because you are sharing much needed knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, and for encouraging me. I really do have a heart for helping other people be prepared. To me it's security, knowing I don't have to wait and depend on someone else (FEMA, Gov.) if something happens. And the way the economy is heading, we all need to be stocking up. I'm glad to be able to help people with ideas to accomplish that. Thanks again.
DeleteSusan
Why don't you sell a .pdf version of your book on your blog? I'm sure you could hook something up with Paypal. I don't have a Kindle and anyone who doesn't have a lot of money won't either. You could sell it for $.99 and all you'd have to split is a small fee with Paypal. Just a suggestion. =)
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good - and tempting! - idea, but my agreement with Kindle Select doesn't allow me to distribute or sell it publicly.
DeleteFor those who don't have a kindle you can choose the option to download it with "Kindle for PC". It's free to set up a kindle reader program on your computer, starting with the free "Cloud Reader". From the Cloud Reader you choose "Download and pin", and then you can read it on your computer, even when you're not connected to the internet. It's stored in your computer.
Then you'd be able to download a lot of wonderful free books, in addition to buying "Poverty Prepping"!
Susan
This is just the rules for the electronic version of the book. I can sell or distribute the print version any place I want, however it costs more because of printing costs.
DeleteGetting the electronic version is a lot cheaper.
It figures Kindle would strap you with a rule like that. I can't say I'm surprised. And look what it's gotten you...theft of intellectual property. My take...you know you're doing something right when folks are trying to copy you. You'll definitely get a bunch of exposure from Amazon, that's how I found you. Thanks for the info about the Kindle reader. I didn't know that! They don't share it either because they want you to buy one of those over-priced gadgets. Like we all don't look at computer screens enough that we have to buy one of those. I say, no thanks, I like paper and if times get really bad it'll double as kindling...toilet paper...etc. ;-)
DeleteI LOVE your attitude! :)
DeleteSusan
Susan, I'm new to your site and havent read everything yet, but I already know I want to buy your book. How can I purchase a print copy from you? I am happy to pay a fair shipping and handling charge, and feel free to package it nicely for shipping in a recycled paper bag if you have any handy! I love what I've read so far, am learning lots. Thanks so much for what you are doing! Mrs. C
ReplyDeleteSee next post
Deleteok, I just found your post about your holiday special, so now I know how to order! You dont even need to publish the previous post, or this one--sorry I commented too soon! But thanks again for all you are doing! Mrs. C
ReplyDeleteSorry, I hit "Post" on your first comment before I read the second one. I'm glad you found the book-ordering information. Thanks, too, for letting me know you like the blog. I hope you enjoy the book, too. I'll sign it for you. Let me know if there's anything special you'd like me to write in it.
DeleteMost people who have sent checks or money orders have included a piece of paper with their name and address, and how many books they ordered, but no email address. This is fine, but I can't send an email with a "shipping confirmation" when I mail them. I try to get the books right in the mail the day after I get your orders, so if you're waiting on books, they're probably in the mail. Really! :)
Susan
God will bless you. people need to know this information, so don't give up. You are wonderful and it's obvious that this is a work of love. God honors your hard work and I'll be praying for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. God bless you, too, and thank you for your prayers.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Susan, I'm loving your books. I've purchased your fiction and your kindle PP book for several family who are just beginning to think about prepping. Keep up the writing. Marty
ReplyDeleteI actually have a couple of your books and enjoy them thoroughly :) Since I have enjoyed your sharing your experiences 'with me' so much, I shall share this with you - My husband broke his eye glasses.
ReplyDeleteLong story short, we happened to be at Walmart, and the optician in the eye glass center there seemed to be available so we walked in to see if his glasses could be repaired, since it was just the arm that had been broken off - losing the spring to in the process. They didn't have glasses with that type of arm. So she took him to the wall and helped him choose a frame that would hold his lenses - she even had to grind the lenses down a little for the fit. In the end, it cost us just the $9 for the frame, she didn't even charge for her time. Might be something worth looking into.