Black Friday sales are here!
I appreciate everyone buying my comics. Some of you, however, are sharing and exchanging them online.
You may think it's no big deal to give one of my comics to someone else, in exchange for another comic, by me or another artist or whatever. And yet it is a big deal. The other person might spread my comics further, maybe posting them somewhere on the web, in public. And that's how my comics become available wider and wider. A single shared comic will end up on popular sites, where it is downloaded literally thousands of times. That's just the result of one person sharing one comic. I am not exaggerating.
I don't need to tell you I'm not Marvel or DC comics. I'm a one man business. I have bought a house with my girlfriend and taken a loan from the bank, counting on a steady income from my webshop. I don't believe you want to have any part in destroying that. And unfortunately, that is what you do when you share my comics with anyone. Sharing is not caring. For an independent artist like me, it is destructive.
When I see people share my comics online, I get quite demotivated by the uncaring attitude and the lack of respect. This is a lonely business as it is. If I have to deal with that kind of disrespect, it doesn't make things easier or more fun. The same goes for me having to spend a lot of time contacting sites, writing to pirating customers, drafting and sending takedown notices, consulting other people and agencies, etc.
I would prefer to keep creating comics for you for a long time. If my business is destroyed, or if I get disgusted with this job for other reasons, then I'll have to go back to my previous full time paid job, and there won't be many comics coming out.
I understand not everyone can afford the comics and some people are in rich countries and some are in poor countries. I can't do much about that except for giving discounts, like offering everything at half price on Black Friday.
You and I share something: we have the same kink. We're a niche, a small minority. I try to provide for that niche. I try to bring your fantasies to life. Allow me to do that as my job. Do not share my comics, not with anyone. It is very damaging to me, my family, my creativity, and to future comics, when you do so.
Thanks for reading, and understanding.
James.
Tienes toda razón en lo que planteas
Love the new storyline “massive”
I quite understand your situation…But i’m in my 60s and have lived and experienced. Trouble is most of your clientele are of a much younger, irresponsible generation, used to sharing everything on the Web, and not considering others. It’s the Gen Z/Millennials ethos. I love what you do, and will soon be able to afford it…on a pension. But sadly no one can control irresponsibility on the internet. Once your work is out there it can and will be shared. Not by me but esp, by the younger gen. Its the times we live in. All I can say realistically is…hang in there for as long as you can, and produce wonderful comics.artwork/stories. But be prepared to go back to your day job if the internet fails you. There are no guarantees and no morality on the Internet. We your fans will be the losers, but that’s down to a very selfish and stupid generation of people. I wish you all the best.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Several customers have alerted me to the fact that they have problems logging in to the store. I have removed the captcha protection. As a consequence, it's possible that the system will tell you your password is not safe enough, and in that case you may have to set a new password.
If you still would run into problems, please contact me at info at amazonias dot net.
Samuel Beltiuo
April 22, 2022
Just wanted to agree with Philip’s earlier comment. It’s a shame that younger generations that grew up with the internet think it’s alright to cheat you of income money. James, your content is great and I believe it’s a privilege to be able to purchase them in the first place.