Firstly let me concur; piracy is theft no matter how you dress it up but unfortunately it is also a monster of your own creation. It isn't piracy that does the damage it is greed; both Publisher and Consumer.  

People are generally honest but lazy, pitch a product at the right price and they will pay. I would wager they will gladly spend a couple of pounds for an ebook rather than wade through endless, virus filled, sites to download a 'free' copy. 

Don't treat consumers like fools; it ruins the legitimacy of your argument.  One download does not equal one sale.  The cost of manufacture and distribution of a physical copy does not equate to 5% more than an electronic copy. 'My current paperback, The Blue Demon, lists at £4.19 while the paperback is £3.98.' You see nothing wrong with this quote (besides the mistype)?  You think because you put the price a few pence either side of £4 we would not notice? Insulting.

I find it incredibly depressing that I am able to travel to my local super market and pick up a hard back copy of a book cheaper than I can legitimately download a version I don't own and is, essentially, disposable.

I'm not suggesting you should give your books away nor resort to blatant product placement. Quite the opposite, I believe you should be rewarded for your hard work.  But the answer is not to sit on the moral high ground preaching the same old messages. Maybe it is time to look at the retail model you are desperately clinging to.

I stumbled across this debate and leave it with a heavy heart.  It seems to me that no lessons have been learned from the experience of the music and gaming industry and an intelligent author will be sounding the ‘Last Post’ instead of ‘Reveille’.
