Royalties are much higher than 1%. Royalties are very high with eBooks (the closest analog to pirated books)
> So one would say, "piracy" even helps out author in this regard
Oh the mental gymnastics people will do to justify not paying people for their work.
> makes books available to wider audience, hence more publicity.
You downloading a pirated book does not do this. You just get their work without them getting any money in return.
“Do it for exposure” ignites justifiable outrage when we are asked to work for free. Why would it be a good thing to apply to authors?
Even if it was true, you cannot deny that exposure + payment is better than exposure plus nonpayment, right?
What on earth are you talking about? Books do not cost a half year of salary.
If they did, nobody would buy them.