No Cynthia, it ain’t different…

So, I rarely read books purely because like everyone else on the planet I’m busy. The only time I do get to read is on the plane or if I take myself away from civilization for a couple of days and zone out. Then I read. Paperbacks. No, I don’t read e-books. I like paper. Weird considering I write e-books but then in a world of great weirdness ‘tis only one more thing to add to the weirdness pile.

Anyway, I bought some books by a particular author. It’s a series. I bought them at a second hand market about a year ago. I don’t have the whole series…probably why they were selling cheap. So, I mentioned to a writer friend that I’ll have to have a look around for the ones I am missing. She said to buy them second hand from the internet. I found that interesting as this particular writer, let’s call her Cynthia, continuously bitches and whines about e-book pirates who sell/trade e-books – hers - on line cheating the writer – her - of said e-books out of money.  Hmmm…double standard?  

Now let me just say that e-book pirates are pond scum in my eyes. Their only redeeming feature is…er….ah…well, I’m sure maybe their pet ferret loves them and undoubtedly they enjoy playing with themselves.  

I am always amused by authors who get all het up and emotional over e-book scum ripping off their work – “taking away our hard earned money” – but then these same writers would happily buy a paperback second hand - not from the author’s publisher - but a Joe Blow seller on the internet. The money doesn't go back to the writer. And no, I don’t go with the argument that the paperback author  is only expected  to get the money from the first virgin sale of said paperback. It’s a dumb argument and you could apply it to e-books so why use it?

So, is it that e-book writers are more emotional about things? More into double standards? Do they spend more time then they need googling their writer names to see how many times they are mentioned on the internet and that’s when they see the e-book rip-off sites?  Are paperback writers less angsty? And from what I gather unless you are a world famous writer adored by gazillions, paperbacks don’t get you as many royal as e-books.            

By all means have your double standards but keep ‘em to yourself.

And no Cynthia, it ain’t different…

I do understand...

 Today, after getting lost several times because I always glance briefly at a map and declare to myself that in that one fast second I know exactly where I’m going – I don’t -  I eventually found myself at the St Vinnies (St Vincent DePaul) depot where I dropped off stuff for charity – aka garage sales stuff from last Saturday. Once there I chatted to a nice bloke who was quite happy to take it and also pick up a couple of arm chairs from my home. His words to me were along the lines of ‘you have no idea how many people are in need.’ I thought back to my mother, who, when we were kids, bought everything at good will because there was no money for anywhere else. A lot of you reading this know exactly what I mean. I wasn’t aware until I was about 13 that department stores with new clothes existed and I often think back to spoilt Julie Mason who made such fun of my old clothes. But you know what? I’m glad I grew up understanding the value of money and I had a mother who worked her arse off for us. So yeah, I do understand how people are in need. It’s good to be reminded of your roots. It makes you realize you’ve grown up damn good.