Got a reply from Amazon

2012-10-04T12:39:57Z

In a follow-up to my post about Amazon banning books (during banned Books Week), namely 'The Flesh Cartel' by Rachel Haimowitz and Heidi Belleau, I had a reply:

Hello,

Thanks for sending your feedback regarding the ban on the book, "The Flesh Cartel" on our website.

I've forwarded your comments to the appropriate team.

Your comments and suggestions will help us improve our store and offer better service to our customers.

Thanks again for taking time in sending us this information. We look forward to see you again soon.

Well, that was...yeah. I'm not quite sure what that is. A brush-off, I guess. Let's see what 'the appropriate team' have to say.

You can read more about the issue from Heidi here

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Amazon Fail (again)

2012-10-03T15:59:16Z

Just signal-boosting here.

Rachel Haimowitz and Heidi Belleau have a new m/m work out from Riptide Publishers called The Flesh Cartel. It's being published as a serial.

It's violent and dark, but, as you'd expect from this duo, well-written and compelling.

Amazon have pulled it, calling it pornography.

Because of course, every book they sell could be read aloud to kindergarten children without raising an eyebrow.

I've written to their Customer Support to voice my objections. This is ridiculous. Yes, the book's not going to be for everyone. It's non-con, forced incest, kidnapping, violence. That's not grounds for pulling it. That's a reason for a reader to note the warnings and move on if they so choose.

I have a feeling it's the fact that it's gay fiction that's at the heart of this censorship rather than the content.

ETA

Just looked at their guidelines.

Pornography
We don't accept pornography or offensive depictions of graphic sexual acts.

Offensive Content
What we deem offensive is probably about what you would expect.

Jaw is on the floor at that second one. Uh, how is that a guideline? More of a flip comment, content-free.

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janedavitt

Got a reply from Amazon

Amazon Fail (again)