bk, sorry to hear about the book situation. I know that must have hurt, and hope you can let it go because you don't gain anything by holding on to bad feelings.
It's not quite as personal, but I can sort of relate: people have sold copies of DVDs of my films that I've given to them. It would be one thing if I had chosen on my own to give them copies, but these are people who say they want to see one or more of the films and ask me to send them copies, because they don't have Netflix, etc. (All our films are on there.)
I have to pay for these copies myself (at least 5 bucks, then packaging and mailing), but people always seems to think that since they know me, of course I would have plenty to give just away. Recently, an executive at a network here in town asked for copies of two films. Hoping to pick up some work from it, I sent them to this person; they never responded. I followed up a month later to make sure they had arrived. No response. This year I ran into them at a screening and said, "oh, by the way, did you ever get..."
"Oh yes! It was very good; I sent it on to my (insert relative here)". No "thanks for sending", etc.
Then you see used copies of films in town here and have to wonder if they just use them to trade in for other stuff.
The first time I came to NY to meet the "director" of the Mercer doc (after brunching with some of the HHWers) he asked for 3 or 4 copies of our films to give to Mr. Eastwood and co. as samples of my work. It didn't take 5 minutes before, after I helped him down to the street, he used one to tip the guy who had carried up his groceries the day before. Right in front of me!
So, bk, I feel your pain...
