Topic: Pirated novel

Just for fun, I did a DuckDuckGo search on my pen name. To my surprise, I found one of the novels i workshopped here (and on Booksie) being sold under MY title of "Wanderlust" and me as author for goodness sake. I never finished the final edit, so this had to be copied from my older version which was completely published on both sites. The pirate site, Okadabooks, is a Nigerian publisher of eBooks. The URL for "my" book is:

https://okadabooks.com/book/about/wanderlust/27456

I sent a strong email of protest and complained on their Facebook page, but I have a feeling I'm simply tilting at windmills though.

Bill

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2 Reply by Dirk B. (edited by Dirk B. 2020-04-18 20:38:47)

Re: Pirated novel

Sorry about your book, Bill. It makes me wonder how many books are pirated in general, especially of self-published ones where the author has little or no recourse due to the cost of lawsuits.

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Re: Pirated novel

It's not all gloom and doom, Dirk. The funny part is that they hijacked a very early version, filled with grammatical errors and gaping plot holes. I took the original down a few years ago and just now am re-editing it and publishing the new version. it doesn't resemble the earlier version hardly at all. The mistake was using MY name on the pirated version. Since they did that, they can't even claim my eventual published novel is a copy of THEIR book. The site seems to be a legitimate site so at the very least they should stop selling it and take it down from their site. I don't particularly care if Okadabooks censures the "author". Banning him from their site would be nice though.

Bill

Quote Post 3

Re: Pirated novel

That's horrible, Bill.  I wonder how this site can be better protected. Sol, any idea?  This effects you, Bill, and everyone else on this site. But then, they published it in your name and the original title. That's strange, too. They didn't even try to hide that they stole it.
I hope, otherwise, all is well, Christine

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Re: Pirated novel

This happened to me also, Bill. You read the novel that was pirated. Even individual chapters were taken and published. I published through an Indian online publisher who has since gone out of business. But the novel is revised and will go up on Amazon soon. I'm still wrestling with health problems, but I'm still alive and writing. Best to you,

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Re: Pirated novel

I guess the sunny side might be if it takes off and makes millions, it's in your name and you could then afford a good lawyer to go after all of it. At least that's what I tell folks who ask about the danger of having my book stolen from a site such as this or similar ones. Of course it would be easier to have recourse if it were in the U.S. but I suppose at some point it might make sense for overseas as well. At any rate, good luck going forward and hopefully the site will stop any further misuse. Take care. Vern

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Re: Pirated novel

I checked out the site. What's really weird is the 'dedication' to 'my mum,' who ostensibly doesn't like romantic novels, but if we don't tell her, she'll never know, followed by a request for corrections if errors are encountered. No shame there.
As for the profits from a pirated book--I doubt anyone would want to get tangled up in an international lawsuit, regardless of the undeniable identity of the true author. Unless you're Dan Brown or Stephen King.
And as far as stolen words go--I have encountered my words, previously posted here, in a book purchased from Amazon here in the States. You don't have to go far to find a cheater.
As we were warned here some years ago, it happens.

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Re: Pirated novel

I have to agree, the dedication was very strange. I've never called my mother "mum" in my life. When I was learning to talk, I kept hearing my dad call her "Honey". I picked it up and it stuck. All four of her kids called her that. Besides, she passed away years ago at 46. Long before I began writing in earnest. Thus "don't tell her" is also odd. It would be nice if I could get a peek at the actual book. I'm not about to PAY to do this however. Maybe the owner of the site will allow me a peek to verify it is my work (although I don't doubt it).

Bill

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Re: Pirated novel

Here's an update: The owner of the site just PMed me on Facebook, telling me he'd removed the pirated novel. The link now goes to a "Not Available" page. He was very nice about it and once I sent him the first chapter from an archived copy from 2013, he acknowledged I was the original author and removed the offender.

Bill

Quote Post 9

Re: Pirated novel

B Douglas Slack wrote:

Here's an update: The owner of the site just PMed me on Facebook, telling me he'd removed the pirated novel. The link now goes to a "Not Available" page. He was very nice about it and once I sent him the first chapter from an archived copy from 2013, he acknowledged I was the original author and removed the offender.

Bill

Congrats on a positive result. Maybe you can incorporate that plot line with a few more sinister twists into your next novel. Take care. Vern

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Re: Pirated novel

Good work, Bill.

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Re: Pirated novel

Glad it's worked out, Bill!

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Re: Pirated novel

Glad it worked. While I don't fancy the site's owner will disclosed it, it would be interesting to learn who published it through that site.

Kiss,
Gacela.

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Re: Pirated novel

I doubt if the owner knows anything more than just a username and IP address. If I were going to post anything illegal, I'd even spoof the IP address, or use a VPN server.

Bill

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Re: Pirated novel

Just saw this post. Glad all worked out for you, Sir.

Don

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