Recently, Amazon changed their return policy to allow customers the option to return a Kindle e-book for a full refund AFTER the book has been fully read. Now, it’s one thing to download a book, read a couple of chapters, say, “this isn’t for me,” and return it. But reading it entirely and then asking for a refund is sort of like eating your entire meal at a restaurant and then saying to the server, “Sorry, I didn’t really enjoy this, so I”m not going to pay the bill.” In other words, it’s JUST PLAIN WRONG.

In the spirit of believing most people are kind and honest, I’m going to assume that many of those who have read and returned a Kindle book for a refund think they are sticking it to “the Zon.” Not so. Authors are charged back for the original sale in full. Think about it. You worked all week. Got your pay check. Spent it on bills and groceries. And a month later, your employer hands you a check for Zero dollars. “What’s this?” you might ask. And your employer says, “Oh, yeah, last month, there was that week I didn’t really like the project you finished, so I’ve charged you back for those hours.”

Authors spend months of their lives writing a book, sometimes years. Most of us (because I can’t speak for everyone) do it because we are doing what we love. We hope that you’ll enjoy what we write, but the reality is, not everyone will. Reading is subjective. We also understand that not everyone can afford to purchase books. That’s where libraries come in (and as a library patron, I can assure you that in addition to buying books, I also use libraries).

I have never before used this platform for any sort of agenda, but today I’m asking you to sign and share this petition in the hope that Amazon will change this unfair policy. Thank you.