BRAINPAN LEAKAGE

You know, I had reconciled myself to just forgetting about the fact that my books are being pirated on the internet, thereby placing any continuation of the Rowan Gant series on shaky ground. I mean, I can’t blame the publisher. If the books aren’t selling because someone is distributing them for free, then why bother? If they can’t even recoup their investment then it really doesn’t make much sense for them to continue throwing money at it.

At any rate, like I said, I figured I’d just not get any more upset over it than I already had. I have plenty of crap going on in my life right now, plus I need to finish another manuscript for the pirates to steal. Things were going along fine. I had put it into the back of my mind (since there was nothing I could do to stop it) and I was coping.

Then, I went to an event.

At said event I met several folks who were terribly excited to make my acquaintance. They were huge fans, had read all of my books, and simply couldn’t wait for the next one. Major ego boost here. Gotta love that. Then, they dropped the other shoe. Actually, they kicked me with it. Seems that none of them had ever purchased my books. Nor had they borrowed them from friends or libraries.

No, they had downloaded them via one of the pirate torrents…

Oh, but it gets better… After reading and enjoying them, they proceeded to email the files to all of their friends, who in turn did the same…I got to meet some of them too…

I politely explained to these folks that neither the publisher nor I had received payment for those pirated books. I politely told them that since I wasn’t getting paid, it made it hard for me to pay my bills, which meant I might have to stop writing and go get a different job. Hence, no more RGI novels, which would be sad for the fans, me, and the characters who have taken on lives of their own.

They blinked. Then they asked if I knew how soon they might be able to download my upcoming novel.

I think I’ll go scream into a pillow now…

Murv

In case you didn’t catch the previous blog about that Evil Miranda Woman, I’ll give a quick recap- Dorothy Morrison and I ended our recent book tour at 13 Moons in Occoquan, VA. One of my lovely and talented fans took it upon herself to arrive at the signing decked out in some provocative Dominatrix attire ala Miranda, the antagonist in the last two RGI Novels (books one and two of the Miranda Trilogy.)

All I can say (could say, can say…) is WOW! She did a great job, looked stunning, and played up the part to the delight of all in attendance throughout the day and evening long signings and workshops. I actually think more pictures were taken of her, and of patrons standing with her, than there were of folks with Morrison and me! (Hmmmm…One of my own characters stole my thunder…How’s that for gratitude? )

Anyhow, I promised to post pix when I got them and never let it be said that I went back on a promise. Yes, some the pictures showed up in my email last night. I say some because only one person sent me pix and I know there were several folks clicking shutters…I suspect I will be getting more in the not too distant future.

Now…These may already be bopping around out there on myspace sites, personal blogs, and what have you. But, since I promised as soon as I received my copies I would post some of them so that everyone could gawk, I am doing so …

Therefore…Here you have Suzanne (or should I say “Mistress Suzanne”?) dolled up as her own version of Miranda from the Miranda Trilogy of the RGI Series. She tells me she’s not really as mean as she has made herself look…I think I believe her (grin)…

But, I suppose I could be wrong… (wink)

Look at her smile…Something tells me she was really enjoying herself! (LOL)

Hmmmm…Maybe the real Miranda needs a “bondage broom” too?

I think this one gives the blurb tag line “…Wild, Dark Ride!” a whole new meaning.

There you go. Me, Miranda (aka Suzanne) and a little bit of horsing around. (Pun intended…) I’m going back to 13 Moons in late August of this year, and I’ve already been told that Suzanne is working on a whole new outfit. I’ll confess that I am looking forward to it, and I’m betting there will be more pictures. Good thing I’m just a harmless old flirt or my wife wouldn’t let me go to this gig (LOL).

You know…Now that I think of it, maybe I should just get Suzanne to show up at booksignings across the nation. Now that’d be a hell of a publicity stunt. I wonder if I can find a way to fit it into the budget?

More to come…

Murv