What should be dark times to be an author

A man named Kirtsaeng has recently made news in the writing community thanks to Scott Turrow—president of the authors guild and fiction author—complaining about him to the point that the New York Times interviewed him and printed the report as ‘The death of the American Author.’

Shame on the New York Times, which is supposed to give actual insight into developments and give the whole story instead of just stopping at the interview.  Instead, the site techdirt, giving the low down on mostly news stories and even purely how they relate to tech-based jobs, gave the whole story, going, gar, far beyond the duty of a cross-country news site.

For those who read neither article (don’t blame you), a man named Kirtsaeng made thousands by selling textbooks on ebay.  While prices are artificially inflated here in America, they aren’t in Thailand, the land of Kirtsaeng’s parents. Everything was done legally, yet Scott claims this is the work of piracy and anything that allows it should be shut down.

Authors back Scott with his ridiculous fight against resale stores, only making people wonder what planet they think they’re on and a good argument to stray away from the book market until it learns what a market is and how it works. Only a few seem to be cluing in to what the implications of Scott's words.

Both sides have already been reported on, he side I feel needs far more attention is that Kirtsaeng’s actions should be lauded and should have brought to light a problem that has needed to be addressed since the economic crash.  For the last year, student loan debt has been speculated to slowing down recovery to destroyingthe economic prospects of an entire generation.  Textbook prices are a contributor.

How is Kirtsaeng not seen as a hero?  Especially by those who already know the hardship of struggling to pay for classes, study for and pass them, juggle jobs and chores, and hope to have time and money to spend on food, housing, and emergencies?  Every author who backs Scott should be asked: why are you punishing those in college?  Why are you not satisfied with royalties, but need pumped up royalties paid by a struggling demographic?

If only the guild had stood for gouging neither party for money.  I truly wish this were a black mark that would remain upon the guild’s reputation until they actively worked to redeem themselves from such a view.

It is a dark day to the an author, thanks to guilt by association.