
That's an easy one. Speaking as an author, it's one word: piracy.
Yes, I know books can be expensive, especially if you're a voracious reader like me. That's what library cards are for! But if you insist on collecting books, even eBooks, please pay for them. Or become a book blogger/reviewer and get authors to send you e-copies of their books in return for your saying a few words about them.
See the thing is, many authors DO NOT MAKE MONEY from being published. I can't say that strongly enough. I work 2 other jobs, leaving me little time to promote, let alone write. And I LOVE to write!
When Google-alert sends me info about someone asking for one of my books on a piracy site, I wanna e-mail and ask them why they're insulting my books like that. I have one book as a free download on Smashwords so everyone can have a try to see if they like my style of erotic romance. I often participate in contests run by various sites and loops that offer free eBooks or even autographed paperbacks that I have to pay for, then pay the postage to send to the winners. But I do all of that to encourage people to see if they like my books. But you want them all for free? Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment? Because to me and my books it feels like an insult.
Please, if you like my reading style and you want to read my books, spend a few sheckels and help me pay for my website. Or contact me privately with your tale of woe, and maybe I'll have a copy of what you want to read lying around and I'll send it to you. But don't insult my books and me by stealing them. Thanks.