Today’s the day for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) where, on the first Wednesday of every month, writers get together to share their insecurities and offer encouragement. The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, and you can learn all about it and sign up for it here. 
A few days ago I received a Google Alert e-mail message alerting me that the title of my book and/or my name had popped up somewhere on the web. I followed the link and ended up at a site called TzarMedia.com. According to the site, if I signed up for an account, I could download my book for free. Completely unauthorized, with no compensation to the author or publisher.
Yes, I’ve been pirated.
When I clicked on the link again to go back and send a take-down notice, I ended up at a different site, LipsMedia.com. Then it was LilPlay.com, then DonnaPlay.com. I sent take-down notices all around, though I know it’s an exercise in futility.
It’s really infuriating to know that your hard work can be stolen so easily. With all the advanced technology out there today, it seems like there should be a way to eradicate these sites.
Has anyone out there had any luck dealing with pirate sites? What did you do?
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On a happier note, I’m planning on doing a cover reveal for my second book, Trouble By Any Other Name, on May 2nd, which is a Monday.
If anyone would like to help me out with the cover reveal, I’d really appreciate it! Please let me know in the comments. Thank you!!!
© Lori L. MacLaughlin and Writing, Reading, and the Pursuit of Dreams, 2016. All rights reserved.
Writing, Reading, and the Pursuit of Dreams 
Dang, I hate that happened to you. I read tho it can be good publicity and to ignore it, I have not read any real success getting it removed from fairly legit sites who have been fooled too.
My Author Spotlight is always open to you. Give me a shout out. I think you have my email already.
Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
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Thanks, Juneta. I guess I should be flattered that they think my book is worth pirating.
Yes, I have your e-mail. I’ll send you the info a little closer to the date. Thank you!!
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I messed that up. I have not heard of it being removed, except from fairly legit sites that have also been fooled.
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That’s what I heard, too.
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Well, here’s the good news – that site probably doesn’t have a copy of your book. They are offering it as a ploy to get you to sign up for their site. My publisher has tracked down several of these sites and that’s what they do. Plus someone last month posted an article about sites like that just trying to get membership money by offering things they don’t have.
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That’s interesting. Makes me feel a little better about it anyway.
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There’s actually an interesting article on The Book Designer about piracy, and it talks about sites like Alex mentioned. Here’s the link: http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2016/04/avast-piracy-self-publisher/
Hopefully you can get it all sorted.
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Thanks for the link, Sara! I’ll check it out.
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This hasn’t happened to me yet, but I’ve heard about it. From what you posted, you’ve done it exactly right. The next trick is to stay on top of it.
Anna from elements of emaginette
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That’s the hard part. Like I need another thing to keep track of and deal with.
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You must have been ecstatic about that free offer!
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Yes, it was just wonderful.
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Uggggh. I’ve had my posts stolen and had them end up on sites. I ended up following a trail of bread crumbs and sending take-down notices to each of them, and the owners did comply. Still, it’s a hassle to have to go through; thank God for Google. Your co-host Viola Fury, aka Mary
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I didn’t realize posts got stolen, too. What a pain, and so frustrating. Thanks for stopping by!
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Oh gosh, I’m sorry this happened to you. I’ve known others who have had to deal with it and it must be so frustrating. And of course the “free offer” made it even worse!
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Thanks, Julie. It’s incredibly frustrating, and the free offer just added insult to injury.
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I’m sorry that happened to you, Lori. I know how infuriating it is. My books have been on a few piracy sites. My publisher took care of it, though.
Of course, I’d love to help with your cover reveal, Lori!!!!
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Thank you, Cathrina. I’m glad your publisher was able to take care of it.
And thank you for helping with the cover reveal!! I’ll send you the info.
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Most piracy sites don’t actually have the books they’re offering. It’s a scam to get people’s credit cards. I found a site like the one you did where all the links seemed to lead to other sites and there was no way to contact that site without becoming a member.
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That’s good to know. Thanks!
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I am so sorry! How frustrating! And yes, let me know and I will make a post for you. 🙂
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Great, thanks, Erika!
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At least that means your work is well liked? I mean – why pirate a work that no one wants to read?
Glad you figured it out though. It’s really a shame when people feel the need to steal others’ work!
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I guess that’s the best way of looking at it.
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Oh gosh. I hate pirate sites. I found mine on a couple. I was able to get them removed from one but the other never responded or did a thing. I gave up. It said only one person had downloaded my book there, so I figured the site was popular (or I wasn’t haha). But I did leave a comment on the page saying something like “I am the author of this ebook. If you want to get it legally please go to Amazon.” And my comment is still there.
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It’s such a pain to have to deal with. Glad you at least got one removed.
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Sorry about the piracy! And I’d love to help w/your cover reveal. My contact info is on my blog. =)
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Thanks so much, Leandra! I’ll contact you.
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Hi Lori! I can’t believe someone is trying to sell your work for free! That is just awful! I’d love to help with your cover reveal!! Do you want to help with mine too? 🙂 There’s a sign-up form on my blog today. http://swordsandstilettos.blogspot.com/2016/04/cover-reveal-sign-up.html
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Absolutely! Thanks very much, Kristin! I’ll come over and sign up.
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Wow Lori, I’m sorry that happened to you. I hate that. Hopefully it’ll be resolved with no damage; it’s sickening how far scam sites will go.
I know I’m late, but thanks for visiting me Wednesday for IWSG, and I appreciate you being there for me. Have a fantastic day! Eva
PS- I’d love to help you with your cover reveal. I just need a few extra days notice. My email is lilicas_place@yahoo.com
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Thank you very much, Eva! I really appreciate it!
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I’ve found my book on a pirate site before. Like you, I sent a take down notice and it did disappear from the site. But yeah, it’s an exercise in futility. People will always want things for free and some won’t care. Sending the take down notices are something at least. Otherwise, they’d over run the internet and people would stop buying books and just get them for free.
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I agree. I hope it has some effect. If I can make their lives even the least bit more difficult, I’m all over it.
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I’m so sorry this happened to you. I wouldn’t know what to do, besides scream and cry and overdose on the stockpile of red wine I try to pretend doesn’t exist.
Cool book trailer by the way 🙂
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It is really frustrating because there isn’t much you can do.
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it.
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