An Open Letter To Daveyboy2, An Unauthorized File Sharer

(A Note From Matt: A slightly different form of this letter first appeared as a comment to unauthorized file sharer Daveyboy2’s post on the unauthorized file sharing link repository site Mobilism.org. The moderators of that site were kind enough to remove Daveyboy2’s post at my request. As of November 13, 2014, I’m still waiting for replies to the DMCA notices I sent to the file sharing sites Daveyboy2 references in his (now deleted) post.)

Hi, Daveyboy2.

My name’s Matthew Wayne Selznick. I’m the author of Brave Men Run and Pilgrimage.

I hope you enjoyed the books when (if?) you originally purchased them, Daveyboy2!

Since I mention this in each and every book I publish, you probably know that I provide my titles without any digital rights management restrictions.

I do this so that the person who buys my e-books can use them on any of their own devices, forever.

However, even though I don’t believe in punishing the owner of my e-books with DRM technology, that doesn’t mean my e-books are available for free to anyone.

I have never, ever offered my e-books for free.

Instead, I’ve tried to make sure my books are widely available in pretty much every major and minor online marketplace you can think of: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, Scribd, and so on.

It’s not difficult to find my work, and my books are not unreasonably priced.

In fact, if you visit the shop on my site, you can pay what you want for everything I make… as little as a dollar, or as much as you want!

That includes Brave Men Run and Pilgrimage.

Given that my books are widely available, DRM-free, and super-affordable, I’m disappointed to see that you’ve posted unauthorized file sharing links to my works on mobilism.org.

Daveyboy2, I depend on sales of my creative works to help pay my bills every month. Some months, I have a pretty rough time paying those bills, believe me. You can see exactly what I make every month as a creative entrepreneur. I need every penny, no joke.

Making things for people is my job… including making books like the two you’ve shared without my authorization.

I know unauthorized file sharing of my work doesn’t actually steal from me. I’ve written about it (that link is in the two books you’re encouraging people to download without compensating me, by the way).

I’m writing this to simply let you know that I’m a person, just like you, and I’ve put a lot of time, effort, experience, and sacrifice into the books I’ve written.

So if you, or anyone else reading this, enjoyed Brave Men Run, Pilgrimage, or any of my other creative works without first compensating me, please head over to my shop and pay what you think those books are worth.

It makes a difference.

Thanks!

— Matthew Wayne Selznick

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