Here we go again.
An unauthorized copy of Magic Claims appeared on Audible. It is copyrighted to ©2023 Ilona Andrews (P)2023 Kate Steel.
All of our audio is always copyrighted to Ilona Andrews, Inc.
On Amazon, the publisher of this audio is Zenith Publishing. They have one other listing, for which they’ve used exactly the same cover with the name and title replaced- probably another stolen copyright.
This is a fraudulent listing. It is stolen content, and your money is going to a pirate.
If you got scammed by it, I strongly urge you to return your copies for a refund- you can use this blog post as reason, if they require one. We are trying our best to get it taken down. Unfortunately, they dropped it on a Friday- everyone has left for the weekend.
The issue is with the individual audio of Magic Claims only. The ebook and print, as well as the Wilmington Years audio bundle is legitimately us.
Please do not post negative reviews on Amazon as it affects the entire listing, including the ebook and print and the authorized audio version.
Please do not report as fraud, unless you have purchased the book and are doing it during the returns process. Anything else will reflect negatively on the authorised copy, which will be then pulled from sale and refunded.
How does this keep happening? Audible, come on.
Update: Please do not stalk the audio reader online or leave angry messages on her profile. We do not yet know if she was also a victim of fraud.
oh my goodness! so sorry you have to keep dealing with this! ☹️
went to audible….just checked the right one now say unavailable in my area….while this pirated one is available for a credit…won’t let me leave a review that this is fake/pirateed unless I buy it and I won’t
Hi Tracy, just to clarify- please do not leave bad reviews on Amazon as they will affect the title in general, including the legitimate formats.
May I ask where you are based so we can look into the bundle not being available to you? 🙂
mean the unavailable one is the real one, with both stories….still worked 8n my library but checking it outside of that said it was unavailable
usa….wyoming
Can you please try this link? It appears available to me 🙂 https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Tides-Claims-Daniels-Wilmington/dp/B0C91KHMVC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3C9UOUOJKI4CH&keywords=wilmington+years&qid=1697850420&sprefix=wilmington+years%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-1
that still works…thanks
Here’s the link to the correct one (Magic Tides & Magic Claims – Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years, narrated by Hillary Huber & Michael Glenn) on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Magic-Tides-Magic-Claims-Audiobook/B0C91K68YF
Audible usually does region locking based on billing address, but lately I’ve seen a few complaints on r/audible that US books are being region locked even when the person has a US address, so it’s possible something is going wonky on the back end. If you’re an Audible subscriber, you might want to contact customer service to let them know you’re getting an error.
that’s not good.
totally off topic but I’ve been rereading the snippets and can’t find the one mentioned in the Maggie snippet. We gave you one earlier with the swordsman in the catacombs.
was this removed?
Yes, the swordsmen in the catacombs scene underwent further edits and was removed from the website to avoid confusion.
I am sorry that this has happened to you again. I will warn anyone I refer your books to.
Narrator is just awful (I couldn’t resist looking it up and listening to the sample on Audible). She has about six other books of various genres that she’s the narrator for. I wonder if all of them were pirated…
It’s very possible that this narrator is just an AI or that a real narrator’s name has been co-opted for this fraud.
Ite pretty common to do that in these kinds of frauds.
Wonder that too!
Could you write a prequel for the Innkeeper Series where Dina first becomes an innkeeper and gets Gertrude Hunt? Would love to read about all the beginnings of her interaction with the inn. Plus when Caldenia arrives. I know she puts bits of it in her books but I want more in depth because this series is fantastic. Can’t get enough of it. Thank you.
I LOVE INNKEEPER too. I hope that someday in the future, we will be blessed to read about her parent’s story where we also get to see what Dina and her siblings get up to as kids! Rubbing my hands together in anticipation here! 🙂
Thank you for the heads up. Sorry this happened!
That’s pretty atrocious that Amazon has such bad controls that it even happens in the first place. If they had to pay the authors it happened to a million each time then they’d probably sort it out quick fast and develop better controls. Hope it’s sorted ASAP and pleased you found out fast enough
Just to update you I spoke to someone at U.K. customer services via the online chat and they are looking into it. They asked me to email them screenshots of the blog post (because they couldn’t open the link via their work computer) so I’ve sent that and blind copied it to Mod R so you have it for your records.
I’m sorry this keeps happening to you & hope they get the book taken down quickly!
Oh no. 🤦♀️
It’s like Amazon and Audible don’t want to talk with each other to make sure it’s legit.
Hopefully everything gets straightened out. ☹️
Just opened my computer and saw this and was about to email you.
Same question, Audible don’t you fact check?
I didn’t buy the book, but I did receive an email from audible, letting me know a “new release by Ilona Andrews” was available. I duly went to the help system and sent in my complaint, requesting that audible put some kind of verification process in place to avoid listing pirated work.
Ssssshhhhhhh we can’t mention it until it is done remember? Other wise they m*ght n*t write it.
Also I totally agree. Amazon loves to create monopoly’s on people’s work and then not give them any protections or rights. And I say amazon because audible is a subset of amazon. Right?
I tried to send you a message when I got the email this morning and it said it was a duplicate!!!
So I couldn’t let you know.
I already had the real audible 🙏
I agree with you. Audible should be more aware of their clients, I mean you are providing them with valuable business. It makes me think that a competitor in the field would help them pay closer attention.
I realize this is sold on Amazon. Maybe I am misunderstanding the whole thing, and Audible holds no responsibility, if so I apologize.
Amazon has no problem selling on the weekend, it only makes sense that a huge company like that would also have the staff to handle the problems ( particularly illegal ones)
+1
Oh, gosh! And it isn’t even Talk Like a Pirate Day. The thieves just don’t stop. I got my copy (the bundle) months ago, but I can see how this would be confusing for someone new to the series. Hope you can get the fraudulent copy removed soon.
Dropped on a Friday! I’m sure this is a complete coincidence. NOT.
It keeps happening because Audible/ACX is making money off of this. That book got uploaded WEEKS ago, as it takes that long to get through the ACX approval process to go up on Audible.
ACX is trying to get everyone to go ‘claim’ their titles. What this does is stop third party producers, who a lot of us do business with (just like you are) from being able to produce those titles.
Unless they go through ACX.
So yeah, don’t expect ACX to do a damn thing. These are the people who when I was on the phone to their tech support trying to decipher THEIR rules on series publishing (which are different than Amazon’s oddly enough) the customer service person told me to ‘F*** OFF’ and hung up on me. Because he didn’t know the answer either.
They’re such lovely people.
Complaint lodged. Not something I am in the habit of, but they emailed me a “Illona Andrews has a New Release!” advertisement. That goes too far. Ravi R. took my chat disgruntlement and offer of rum to pirate chasers really well. Then promised to forward it along to the pirate chasers. I did mention how excited this fan base gets over new Ilona Andrews releases and letting pirates get mixed up in there is not going to end well. Bathing a feral cat level of not well. Hope there’s somebody working weekends that can help.
The mental image of “bathing a feral cat” is absolutely irresistible!!
🤣🤣🤣
Yes, yes and yes. I am stuck now with a Holstein in my head with dollar sign shaped splotches all over. I might need a nap.
Thanks for the heads up! I haven’t bought any audio books yet, but this info is good to have. Yes, indeed, how does this keep happening?!?
NOOOOOO, that is so wrong!!!! It must be exhausting to need to track down pirates. Fun in books, notsomuch in real damned life!
Audible sent me an email that an author I like had a new book available, and it was this pirated thing!
I couldn’t figure out how to report it at dark thirty when I got the notification. I was going try to figure out how to report it later today. I’m glad you guys are aware. I was so confused I even listened to the sample. the narrator was what confirmed that it was a scam for me.
Ufff, Audible, even pushing this thing.
That’s terrible!! I understand that giving a negative review is NOT an option since it will negatively impact the real book, but I wish there was something the BDH could do? I hate these pirates!!!!!!! 😡
I saw that, and I wondered WTF?
So glad you warned us—Audible sent me very credible marketing email featuring author photos at 3:38 am MDT. Why is this not cleared & checked in some way? Where are the copyright enforcers when you need them?
I literally listened the section of real audio magic tides/magic claims moments ago, so can compare. Magic tides not up for sale, just the magic claims voiced by “Christy Hodson”
Her web pages shows magic claims with real cover art, while audible has a blank grey cover.
She voices it as a breathy young female voice.
Creepy. Shameful!
Have you contacted her,,or is she the person getting profits?
I googled her name and found her web page. The cover of Magic Claims is on her website.
She may have been scammed as well. Let’s not jump to conclusions.
I just saw this on audible and was suspicious of it after the last one. Came to see if there was anything said here about it, and I’m disappointed to find out that this has happened again. Its absolutely ridiculous that this has happened not just once now, but twice.
I wondered why anyone would want this after buying the earlier version with Magic Claims and Magic Tides. Also I thought it weird you would have such a blah cover when your covers are usually so great. I did not buy the pirate copy. Bad pirates, Bad.
Ugh. Another one. I did get an email from audible about it, too, since I have you listed as a favorite. So sorry that this keeps happening!
If that “Christy Hodson” is not an AI voice, she should definitely give up her day job. What a hack! I couldn’t even get through the sample it was so horribly bad.
I usually pre-order your audiobooks using your link to Audible so I was safe. But I checked just to make sure and the pirated version is still up. I really hate it when scammers like this make life duff for hard working artists and regular people too. I hope you can get Audible to take it down soon.
i am sorry you have to deal with that again. Apparently it is not a new thing they do! see this reddit thread from 3 years ago:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ACX/comments/m20x5v/warning_to_those_considering_creating_audiobooks/?rdt=65533
that’s not the way to do business 😤
That was an incredibly interesting read. Even to the point one user had offered a simple solution on how to solve the issue. Thank you for sharing.
As a friend’s mom used to say “Well!! Some people’s children!!”.
Audible is falling down on the job, and leaving you to pick up the pieces. Which is a truly stinky way of doing business. Professional much? Not!
Hope it gets straightened soonest!!
I fell for the pirated copy on Audible a while back (before the Wilmington Years audio bundle came out). I was pretty embarrassed. I wrote in the comments about the new audio version just out and Mod R had to save me. Thank you again Mod R.
That was for Small Magics, I remember, and so grateful you rang the alarm! 🤗
It makes you wonder about how Audible verifies their audio books. Sorry this happened…again!
I got the Audible marketing email to: “Ilona Andrews has new release…” I thought it was a bit odd since I hadn’t read about any plans here to release the audios separately. Audible must have sent it to all your followers. Such a pain that this happened again.
Not all of us read the blog, so if a fan purchases a pirated version from Audible will Audible notify that person and will they be able to get a refund?
This is a question best asked of Audible, not the victim of the scam 🙂.
Hopefully when the book is taken down for fraudulent reasons a refund will be issued, but House Andrews can only do stuff on their end and cannot guarantee this.
Audible and the scammer are the liable parties.
Ive reported both books to Audible. Looks like ‘Zenith’ is a fraud. I think this will have to be escalated to Amazon, if the content is also on Amazon, that is where Audible gets some of its content. What’s really weird, is that on your author page, Zenith publishers has been able to add the title. Im not sure of the mechanism there, my understanding was the publishers and authors themselves had control over author pages. That might not be right, But if you can take it down THERE, that will help the errant purchases to be mitigated. And I would be certain that Audible and Amazon will make good any pirated gains towards you. Or is that wishful thinking?
Im not even 100% sure how the pirated content got onto Amazon, onto your real Kindle/paperback versions. I have seen this before, but not with a legit association with a legit book. Who is Kate Steel, anyway, and … what an appropriate name?
I’m a retired librarian and this is awful in my opinion. What the !#$ is Audible doing still offering this for sale! I bought the combined books 1-2 from Audible and am relieved to hear that it is a legitimate version of a copyrighted work.
Folks, stealing a copy of a copyrighted work is not an innocent act–“they have a lot of money, this won’t mean much and I really want it”. ARGHH! The US constitution protects the right of a creator to profit from their work–that is copyright. Libraries have been given an exemption for “fair use”–lending the work to others. Libraries use of new electronic versions of works are under siege already. Fair use is important for us all (authors and users and libraries). Thieving–stealing copyrighted works and passing it off for your property is horrible. Oppose it vigorously!
Audible sent me an email suggesting this title this morning (23rd Oct).
This was in the UK.
I just received an email saying new from Ilona Andrews “Magic Claims” this weekend.
Sorry about the pirating! That’s stressful for all involved and just sad that people have no conscience.
After reading of this crime yesterday I went to Audible.com for a refund but was told it was unavailable for that purchase. I talked by chat with an agent and was refunded the cost of $19.00 with the reason given that it was a pirated copy. There were no arguments or slander on my part. But I went back to the selling page and they are still offering the audiobook but for $13.00 now. I stand with House Andrews!
audible.ca me an email this morning promoting this pirated version. Oct 23rd
Why is Amazon still offering the fake copy (on the Magic Claims page) as a free audible copy for trying audible, on October 23, 2023 at 5:30pm?
Hi Deborah,
House Andrews are doing all they can on their end. This is not up to them, they are a victim of this scam.
If you want to hold anyone accountable, it is Audible/Amazon and their system. They are aware this is fraud, yet have not removed it.
And the narrator still has her posts on Facebook and her website. she has no engagement so it’s possible no harm done except it lends legitimacy to the pirated copy if you are not in the know. I’m not engaging with her or audible as I don’t use it but this whole situation sucks for the true owners of this property. Good luck to our awesome authors …I’m sure there are better uses of their time and resources!
Most of the narrator’s social media posts were deleted on Saturday night/Sunday morning. I will refresh her on months-old ones that she missed. Everyone is doing their best, thank you for your patience.
On a happier topic, Amazon has reduced prices temporarily on 700 books. So far I’ve found Sapphire Flames, Iron and Magic and Small Magics. This is in the US, don’t know about elsewhere.
https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-text&bbn=3441883011&rh=n%3A3441883011%2Cn%3A158566011&lo=image&pf_rd_i=3441883011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=35e327d5-5935-4982-b11c-62a41f897df7&pf_rd_r=0HEG4W7CD40T410WEZ0E&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_t=101&ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_apdlz_1c1_w
@ModR:
Should I be concerned that the pirated audiobook is STILL available for purchase on amazon.de & audible.de?
I mean, it’s been what? four days?
Things did not move during the weekend, as explained in the post, a lot of the proceedings had to wait for Monday. Audible are aware that it is a fraudulent product. The matter is in their hands.
Edit: it is down now.