The thing that killed the download -> crack DRM workflow is that Amazon removed the "download and transfer via USB" option. I haven't bought an ebook from Amazon since.
The only viable option would be to buy the book and then pirate a de-DRM'd copy.
The only viable option would be to buy the book and then pirate a de-DRM'd copy.
https://fabiensanglard.net/gebbdoom/
When I upload the PDF on Amazon, a minimal price is automatically calculated. In the case of the DOOM, Amazon sets the minimal price at $51.35.
There is a slider which authors can use in order to add their "share" on top of Amazon price. I have added $3.88 which Amazon also takes a cut on. The result is $1.59 royalty and $0.77 profit per book sold.
Amazon: 40% of the price
Author: 3% of the price (half of which goes to taxes)
Color printed books are expensive, but I think he chose the premium color print option rather than the standard color print option. You can try it out: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/royalty-calculator { pages: 432, dimensions: 7.5"x9.25" } Roughly $18 for basic color and $36 for premium color (which probably also means heavier, higher quality paper).
Amazon takes 40%. Barnes and Noble Press takes 45% for self-published books, and their printing costs are within a couple dollars. Compare to typical retailer+distributor costs of >50% while authors get <15%.
The economics of retail print publishing and logistics don't seem to work out at higher author royalty rates. Authors who don't want to give up 40% of list price always have the option to handle printing, shipping, and accounting themselves, selling on ebay or from their own website.
Dont pay for your own hope that you can pick the lock of your own paid for jail cell.
In the old days, we used to cart boxes of books down to the used book store in exchange for credit, and then load back up with more reading to bring home.
I don't have anywhere close to enough bookshelf space for the number of books I've read over the years.
I moved my book boxes many times before I gave up on most of them. Now I don't even have space to put them all out. 88 square meters for a family of four with toys etc. doesn't go very far.
You don't keep proof, though, and probably isn't allowed to keep a backup after you give the book away. But most countries laws don't care about any of this (and it's not a backup).
Whereas of everyone buys new, keeps the book, and pirates, the author isn't going to see much negative impact.
Hanging on to the "proof" is important. Otherwise all you really prove is that you paid money to touch a physical copy.
https://apps.apple.com/app/id1668658774 can be used to verify if they require a physical copy.
(usps bound printed matter is usually least expensive when shipping books)
Or, you might find the author online and see if they have some sort of donation mechanism set up. It's very common these days for a lot of professionals, but some authors are old school.