The Silent War on Authors: Piracy, Blackmail, and the Fight to Take Back the Page

In the age of self-publishing, authors have never had more tools to bring their stories to life. But with that empowerment has come a troubling rise in exploitation. While bestseller lists celebrate overnight sensations, a quieter crisis brews in the background, one that few talk about publicly but many are living through privately.

Authors are being blackmailed over reviews. Their books are being pirated and distributed across Telegram groups and underground websites. They are signing contracts that strip them of rights, only to realize too late that their royalties are disappearing or were never accounted for in the first place.

It’s a war few see from the outside. But inside Goodreads comment threads, Facebook groups, and Reddit forums like r/selfpublish and r/KDP, the battle is very real.

“You put your heart into your book, publish it, and suddenly it shows up on a piracy site before your friends even get a chance to buy it,” one indie author shared anonymously on a writing forum. “You report it, and nothing happens. You reach out to platforms, and you’re met with silence.”

While many authors have felt they have no recourse, one global publishing support agency is working to change that.

A Response to the Publishing Underdogs

Edioak, an editorial and publishing firm working with authors across 36 countries, recently launched a platform called Free Author Services, aimed specifically at helping authors navigate issues like piracy, review abuse, contract confusion, and unpaid royalties.

According to the company, more than 200 authors have already used the service, which includes hands-on support across some of the most pressing issues indie writers face. The services currently offered include:

• Review Blackmail and Goodreads Abuse Support

Drafting professional responses to fake or threatening reviews and helping report them to platforms.

• Book Piracy Takedown Assistance

Identifying pirated links and issuing DMCA takedown notices to hosting platforms, forums, and e-book marketplaces.

• Publishing Contract Reviews

Clause-by-clause analysis of traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing contracts with guidance on rights, royalties, and red flags.

• Royalty Audits

Breakdown of author earnings reports from Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and traditional publishers to catch discrepancies or unpaid royalties.

• ISBN and Copyright Guidance

Help with international copyright registration, ISBN ownership, barcode setup, and publishing imprint clarification.

• Access to MutedMuses.com

Entry into a curated, ethical review exchange platform that tracks feedback, prevents manipulation, and encourages fair reader-author interactions.

“We saw the same pattern again and again — authors being silenced, exploited, or simply ignored when they tried to push back,” said Aman Tandon, Co-Founder of Edioak. “So we built something we wished had existed when we started: a place where authors could finally get the help they deserve, without being asked for a dollar first.”

A Growing Concern with No Industry Oversight

The challenges addressed by Free Author Services aren’t hypothetical. Over the past two years, watchdog groups like Writer Beware have documented a sharp rise in fake agents, vanity publishers, and review scams. On Reddit, entire threads are dedicated to navigating the aftermath of blacklisting, piracy, or questionable royalty reports.

According to informal surveys within author communities, these issues affect newer authors the most, particularly those navigating publishing without representation or legal counsel.

“It’s an ecosystem that relies on authors being too embarrassed or unsure to speak up,” said a moderator of a large indie author group on Facebook. “That silence is what makes the abuse possible.”

Edioak’s free support model offers a rare contrast in an industry where almost every kind of help carries a price tag. Instead of paid consultation or fixed packages, their team reviews each submission and offers direct, personalized guidance at no cost.

More Than Just Help — A Signal

For authors like the woman who saw her poetry collection pirated days after launch, support came not just in the form of legal templates or takedown notices but in clarity.

“I finally felt like I wasn’t the only one going through this,” she said after receiving support. “And more importantly, I knew what to do.”

While Edioak continues offering editorial services on the commercial side, its Free Author Services platform was launched without upsells, paywalls, or follow-up pitches.

“We’re not trying to build another funnel. This is about restoring confidence in authors who feel cornered,” Tandon added. “Sometimes, just knowing someone has your back changes everything.”

Authors Are Speaking Up

Whether through anonymous posts, shared screenshots, or private community chats, authors are starting to tell the truth. The silence is breaking. And for the first time, there is an option for those who need help but don’t know where to begin.

The message is clear.

You don’t have to fight alone.

And now, someone is finally listening.

To request support or learn more, visit: https://edioak.com/free-author-services