Can I just say that making up National Days is my new favorite past time (because I think it is!)

First, there was National Make a Librarian Snickerdoodles Day (which was a big hit if I do say so myself.) Then there was National Finish GG4, You Slacker Month (which wasn't as popular or successful but certainly did help.)

But I'm perhaps most proud of today, National DON'T Read Like a Pirate Day! Internet pirate, that is.

You see, folks, like I said in this post a few months ago, when you find a book online for free download, unless it's coming from the author or the publisher, chances are VERY good that that book was put up there without the author's permission.

The author and publisher will receive absolutely no compensation for you downloading the book. They'll have no record that the book has been downloaded (and therefore the publisher will not know that, for example, there are readers eager to see a sequel to the book.)

Downloading books illegally isn't cheap or fun or a victim-less crime--and, oh yeah, I said crime. It's like seeing a twenty dollar bill sticking out of my purse and taking it. Except maybe this is worse, because you're taking from my editor, my publisher, my local book seller, and a whole host of other people, too.

And--worse yet--you're taking from all the books that might not be published in the future.

You see, publishers decide what books they're going to publish two years from now based, largely, on the sales of books right now--today! And if you and all your friends are illegally downloading a book from your favorite author instead of buying the book from a bookstore or downloading an e-book (for a fee) from a reputable company, or borrowing it from a library...

If you're doing those things instead then the publisher has absolutely no reason to publish the next book by that author.

I hope you all know that. And, if not, I hope you take it very, very seriously now.

I firmly believe that most people who download these books illegally do it without fully realizing how damaging, hurtful, and just bad for books it really is.

Ask yourself this question: would you shoplift a book from Barnes and Noble? For the vast majority of you I'm sure the answer is no. Sitting alone in your room in front of a computer and clicking on a download button may not seem like stealing, but it is the exact same thing. Exactly.

So help me celebrate National DON'T Read Like a Pirate Day by spreading the word, won't you?

Future books and future writers need all the help we can get.

Thanks!
Ally

ps...if you want to read a very personal account of how stealing books makes an author feel, then go read this post by the incredibly talented Sarah Rees Brennan.

pps...if you want to help make up for stupid/greedy people who steal books, you can go buy or check out Sarah Rees Brennan's AMAZING book, The Demon's Lexicon which is fabulous for older teens and adults who enjoy very riveting stories with fantasy elements.