A Christian Writer's Response to Piracy by Natasha Woodcraft

The Growing Problem of Piracy

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/portrait-shot-of-a-woman-5473960/

Last weekend, while chatting with a group of Christian authors in the USA, the issue of piracy came up. Several of them had discovered pirate copies of their books on a certain website (I’m not going to give it page-time by listing it). This is an increasing problem, plaguing the book industry almost as much as concerns over AI. 

Like musicians before us, whose work was “shared” for free on platforms like Napster, we authors face the harsh reality that our work is often undervalued and its sale cost per unit is completely divorced from its production cost. Hundreds of hours of effort often translate to mere pennies in royalties. People will readily buy a coffee or a cookie but hesitate over a similarly priced book or song. And yet, despite these low costs, we are still subject to piracy by people who believe “such things should be free”.

Alternatives to Ebook Piracy

In some ways, I don’t disagree. I'd love if every library worldwide stocked my books for millions to borrow without paying. Unfortunately, they don’t! The good news is that international online libraries do exist and platforms like Draft2Digital allow self-published authors to distribute their work legally. Readers get free books, authors get paid a tiny amount per borrow - everyone's happy and legal.

If you're worried about ebook piracy, consider using Prolific Works when distributing free or review copies and your lead magnet. It’s a free alternative to BookFunnel for a single pen name and applies digital rights management, reducing the risk of piracy. Sadly, some reviewers "sell" free copies and files on the internet are vulnerable to hacking.

A Different Perspective

Back to my conversation with fellow authors—many were understandably devastated, and rightly so. Their hard work, their prayers, their late nights, all stolen without a second thought. It’s frustrating, it’s discouraging and it’s unfair. I promised to pray for them, and as I did, God revealed an interesting perspective.

I still believe piracy is rightly illegal and these sites breach copyright. They should be taken down. BUT for now…

I think we must pray into this situation and specifically, pray for those who are using the sites. If they're accessing pirated material, they may not know Jesus. What if, even through illegal downloads, God uses our work to draw them to Him? God may yet turn piracy for good.

Some may be accessing books illegally because in their country, Christian content is prohibited. Smuggled Bibles? They're pretty illegal... And yes, I'd rather someone download it illegally than not read it at all.

Lessons from Grace

While praying, God reminded me of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, who was transformed by the priest’s grace after stealing. Victor Hugo likely never intended this to point to Jesus, but God’s truth shines through anyway. John Piper writes of Hugo:

“We have little hope that his spiritual pilgrimage led him to Christ and heaven. But… the imago dei and the remnants of his Christian roots break forth—to the praise of his Maker.” (https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-gift-of-victor-hugo)

That scene has changed countless lives. The sheer grace, the overwhelming mercy—what a picture of the gospel! If someone steals my book and encounters Jesus through it - if any of my books have a Les Misérables effect - I'll be dancing in heaven (though, let’s be honest, I’ll be dancing in heaven anyway!)

Jesus’ response to theft was one of radical grace. He said:

“And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles… Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:40-41, 44 NIV)

Where Do We Go from Here?

I’m not saying legal action won’t ever be necessary against ebook piracy. Our first instinct might be outrage, and that’s understandable. But before anything else, we must pray for those who steal our work (while also taking action to protect what’s ours). Only through prayer can we hope to change their hearts—and perhaps, their eternity. And that, above all, is what truly matters.

Natasha Woodcraft lives in slightly crumbling farmhouse in Lincolnshire with her family of boys and animals. She believes stories have power to communicate deep truth and transform lives. Her published novels explore God’s redemptive purposes for ordinary, messy people living in biblical times.