People worry about piracy a good deal, and I can understand it to some degree. If somebody builds tables, we know that table has a value and we will pay for it. So if I create stories, they should have value and people should pay for it.
The problem is that although our society tells us that everything we create has value, it also tells us that whatever value something is listed as, it has significantly less. (Many people will not buy a product if it is not on sale.) So, people will buy a table, but they think it is only worth what the materials cost. And since a digital book has no materials and can be copied indefinitely, it should be free.
I am totally ok with that. I do not mind giving away my stories. I want them to be heard and read. I want people to not feel like they are gambling on my stories or that they might have wasted money if they don't like what I have to say. If a million people liked my stories and none of them paidto read it, I would be ok with that. It would mean that I am popular and have a sizable following.
When you have a fanbase, they will still give you money. They may pay to get something personalized from you. They may buy your merchandise. Their web traffic will give you ad revenue. And they will pay to see you live.
We cannot stop piracy, but we can make it obsolete. If you change your business model and have people pay for experiences or tangible objects, things that they can't pirate, then everybody wins.
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