I hope your story goes some way to stopping this in the future; what you have done is the worst type of plagiarism, because you genuinely are an artist.
If I see someone rip another's work off and they are trying to pass themselves off as this amazing writer/artist, I hate it, but understand where they're coming from.
Another artist, who understands the trials, tribulations and struggles artists go through; well, that's just the lowest of the low. You have ruined your reputation, was it worth ruining for a few hundred/thousand dollars, or whatever you made?
I very much doubt it, your apology goes some way to healing the damage, but not all the way; after all, the only reason you made this post, is because you got caught, not because you felt guilty.
I am flagging this post for two reasons. First, it is because even the $0.80 you've made from it, burns me up. Secondly, I feel this post might make you look humble and apologetic to some. I have already seen a "way to man up..." comment.
However you are not manning up, you are simply trying to cover your arse, because you were caught. Make the apology on @pfunk's post and be done with it, you deserve no praise whatsoever for this forced confession.
I really hope this serves as a warning to others, reputation is worth more than money.
Cg
This is EXACTLY how I feel and while I think its great that people are forgiving I find it much worse that someone who has already stollen so much might now make more just like that.
The ONLY reason this confession and apology came to be is because of being PROVEN guilty. Not because of conscience or good faith.
This guy has a higher reputation than me, someone who feeds 40,000 free meals a year and is under constant public scrutiny.