Smashwords Succumbs to Censorship

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

Those aren't Space Marines, just marines in space. Believe me, those aliens would be but a moment's distraction to a proper Space Marine.

(sorry, I'm reading Warhammer 40.000 again...)

Oh, I completely agree. My Dad watched Aliens with me and was very annoyed.

Dad: "These aren't marines, they're jokers!"
Ana: "Well, they said 'colonial', right? So they're mercenaries, maybe?"
Dad: ".....okay."

[Fbone]

This forum thread's transition from Smashwords removing incest material to Marines incinerating Aliens is truly remarkable.

[Belfaborac]

Quite cool, innit? That's the interwebs for you.

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by Fbone

This forum thread's transition from Smashwords removing incest material to Marines incinerating Aliens is truly remarkable.

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

Quite cool, innit? That's the interwebs for you.

Isn't that great!

I got a new rec! Warhammer.

[Belfaborac]

Always happy to be of assistance. For further Warhammer info, check out this.

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

Always happy to be of assistance. For further Warhammer info, check out this.

Thanks!

And checking GR...it looks like a lot of the Warhammer 40.000 books have been a casualty of the Amazon debacle. I think I'll start working on fixing them when I get some free time.

Series link

:-(

[frahse]

Originally Posted by Fbone

This forum thread's transition from Smashwords removing incest material to Marines incinerating Aliens is truly remarkable.

You need to review the intent behind the new TOS.

I think they are lumping bestiality with Space Marines having sex. Just with each other or also with Aliens, I am not sure.

Anyway, I got some new ideas but I guess an biography about Woody Allen and his adopted daughter/wife won't fly.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

Thanks!

And checking GR...it looks like a lot of the Warhammer 40.000 books have been a casualty of the Amazon debacle. I think I'll start working on fixing them when I get some free time.

Series link

:-(

What Amazon did to Goodreads is despicable and unforgivable. Maybe those words are too strong but the whole thing leaves a putrid taste in my mouth.

I've spent several hours volunteering on GR to help the indie authors although I'm not sure why I should. They should do their own marketing and promotion.

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

Those aren't Space Marines, just marines in space. Believe me, those aliens would be but a moment's distraction to a proper Space Marine.

(sorry, I'm reading Warhammer 40.000 again...)

Poor man's Gene Stealers

Unclean Xenos....

[teh603]

Originally Posted by Fbone

What Amazon did to Goodreads is despicable and unforgivable. Maybe those words are too strong but the whole thing leaves a putrid taste in my mouth.

I've spent several hours volunteering on GR to help the indie authors although I'm not sure why I should. They should do their own marketing and promotion.

Originally Posted by frahse

You need to review the intent behind the new TOS.

I think they are lumping bestiality with Space Marines having sex. Just with each other or also with Aliens, I am not sure.

Anyway, I got some new ideas but I guess an biography about Woody Allen and his adopted daughter/wife won't fly.

Wait, did someone try and accuse people of getting facially violated by a Genesquealer as being somehow porn? I know there's Rule 34 and all that, but this is getting a little ridiculous.

I was also under the impression that the Adeptus Astartes (including most Chaos Space Marines, the Emperor's Children and Noise Marines nonwithstanding) didn't have sex after they became Scouts.

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by Fbone

What Amazon did to Goodreads is despicable and unforgivable. Maybe those words are too strong but the whole thing leaves a putrid taste in my mouth.

I've spent several hours volunteering on GR to help the indie authors although I'm not sure why I should. They should do their own marketing and promotion.

Thank you!

I've done quite a bit and I really appreciate all your hard work!

And I agree, Amazon was horrible. I'm sure the goal was to cripple the site - thank goodness that the volunteer librarians - like you - stepped in and did so much work. I'm sure they never expected that.

I've read a few predictions that Amazon would try to buy GR due to it's social site being better than shelfari and to get it's hands on the GR rec engine.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

Thank you!

I've done quite a bit and I really appreciate all your hard work!

And I agree, Amazon was horrible. I'm sure the goal was to cripple the site - thank goodness that the volunteer librarians - like you - stepped in and did so much work. I'm sure they never expected that.

I've read a few predictions that Amazon would try to buy GR due to it's social site being better than shelfari and to get it's hands on the GR rec engine.

You're welcome

I do wish the self-pubbers and KDP authors would rescue their books. It is stunning how few have their own website and without them there isn't anything I can do.

Amazon already owns the other 2 sites so probably want everyone to use them.

[crich70]

I got an email from Smashwords today that (in part) talked about the recent problem with Paypal.

PayPal Censorship
________________________________________

PayPal, the online payment service we use to process credit card payments, has asked Smashwords to remove fiction that contains themes of bestiality, rape and incest. They tell us they are compelled to do this to remain compliant with the rules of the banks and credit card companies. Regardless on one’s opinions about these objectionable topics, we view this attempted censorship as a bad precedent. Fiction is fantasy. It’s not real.

PayPal’s request has caused a firestorm of debate on the Internet about censorship, and what this means for the future of ebook publishing. Most people are horrified at the thought of any censorship, while others believe such content should be restricted. It’s a contentious debate.

This story, out today by TechDirt, does a good job of summarizing the timeline of events and the issues involved: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/201...-authors.shtml

The case has even spawned a brilliant and hilarious $.99 parody ebook titled, TWO PEOPLE HAVING SEX https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/139100

There’s a petition at Change.org if you wish to sign it: http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-censorship-2

A few independent privacy-rights and anti-censorship organizations have stepped in to challenge PayPal on their policies, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC). More are likely to sign on. Here are some quick links:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/0...users-can-read
ABFFE/NCAC: http://www.ncac.org/NCAC-ABFFE-Send-...To-PayPal-eBay

Our view at Smashwords: We believe it’s wrong for credit card companies, banks and other financial institutions to censor legal fiction. We believe this censorship is targeting a small subset of erotica fiction. The same censored themes are prevalent in much mainstream fiction. We believe it would be unfair to authors and readers alike for any organization to censor what writers are allowed to imagine and what readers are allowed to read. If the PayPal restrictions were taken to the extreme, many mainstream classics including Nabokov’s Lolita or Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with The Wind could technically be banned. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with its depiction of rape could be banned. Even the Bible could fall under the net since it contains scenes of rape and incest. Although such extreme censorship is unlikely, what about moderate censorship? Therein lies the danger of censorship. Where does it stop, and where do we draw the line? It’s difficult for Smashwords or any other retailer, distributor or publisher to assume the role of moral arbiter when there’s so much grey area. We’re engaged in ongoing discussions with our counterparts at PayPal to reach an equitable solution.

If you’re interested to learn more, or learn what you can do to help fight censorship, you can read my most recent email to Smashwords authors on this topic here: https://www.smashwords.com/press/release/30

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by crich70

I got an email from Smashwords today that (in part) talked about the recent problem with Paypal.

I just bought the short story linked to in that letter (TWO PEOPLE HAVING SEX). Had a hell of a time downloading it for some reason, and Calibre didn't like what I downloaded. I wonder if there are errors in that book, or did my browser just get weird on that download. At any rate, I copied the text file and added my own formatting, as neither the mobi nor the epub download worked for me. It's the first time I ever had any problems with a Smashword download.

I'm trying to spend more money there whenever possible, especially since this PayPal/big money fiasco started.

[GlenBarrington]

Originally Posted by plib

And isn't it amazing just how many of those are "conservative", religious Yanks?

ARE they? You have made some assumptions I don't think you can prove. I'm a conservative, (sort of) religious, Yank, and I'm as disturbed by this as anyone. This violates not only my religious beliefs, but my conservative principles, and the traditions of my country.

You've made an incredibly moronic and highly prejudiced statement. I say, back it up or shut it up.