Amazon
Stolen
Survival
So, for those of you who were wondering why my books Stolen and Survival are no longer available on Amazon, it's because Amazon has decided that my books violate their Offensive Content Guidelines. I don't know what it is exactly about the book that they find offensive, especially because 1. it comes with a warning, 2. its obviously already passed the content guidelines, otherwise it wouldn't have been published in the first place and 3. I have read several other books that I feel are far more inappropriate and offensive than mine. And I'm a dark writer.
"Offensive Content: What we deem as inappropriate is probably what you would expect."
^This is straight off of KDP's website. I don't know about you guys, but this is the most vague content guideline I've ever seen.
So, after speaking with someone from KDP's Executive Customer Relations Department and arguing as best I could, the decision still stands and is final. So, apparently Amazon likes to decide on what its customers can and can not read and because of this, I will no longer be a customer of theirs. For anything.
All of this stemmed from the 1 star review of a single reader who didn't heed the warning and left a comment that they couldn't handle the content of either books. In an effort to inform readers before they even download a sample, I decided to put the same warning that's in my books in the synopsis. This apparently sent red flags to Amazon and now...here we are. I've never felt more regret in my life for reacting to that review. So like so many times before, one has ruined it for all.
Just a request for other readers/reviewers, if the book comes with a warning and you still can't handle the content, it doesn't mean you get to bash the book that received so many five star ratings from others who loved it. I can understand if the plot was confusing or the writing was bad, but if the book turned your stomach, you probably should have listened to the warnings. Reviewers can easily destroy independent authors and I've never felt more defeated in my life.
I am beyond disappointed, and frankly pissed off, with Amazon's blatant disregard for their readers, their inconsistency in publishing books far more offensive than mine, and yet not providing a single reason for the initial content violation.
So, I'm sorry guys, but after this bullshit, I will no longer be publishing with Amazon. I will continue with CreateSpace for those of you who enjoy the physical copy of books, but that's it. My books will continue to be found on Smashwords, Barns & Noble, Kobo, Oyster, iBooks, etc.
Thank you to everyone who has enjoyed my books and for your continued support. Without you, I would not be here at all.
xoxo
J. Marie
Survival
So, for those of you who were wondering why my books Stolen and Survival are no longer available on Amazon, it's because Amazon has decided that my books violate their Offensive Content Guidelines. I don't know what it is exactly about the book that they find offensive, especially because 1. it comes with a warning, 2. its obviously already passed the content guidelines, otherwise it wouldn't have been published in the first place and 3. I have read several other books that I feel are far more inappropriate and offensive than mine. And I'm a dark writer.
"Offensive Content: What we deem as inappropriate is probably what you would expect."
^This is straight off of KDP's website. I don't know about you guys, but this is the most vague content guideline I've ever seen.
So, after speaking with someone from KDP's Executive Customer Relations Department and arguing as best I could, the decision still stands and is final. So, apparently Amazon likes to decide on what its customers can and can not read and because of this, I will no longer be a customer of theirs. For anything.
All of this stemmed from the 1 star review of a single reader who didn't heed the warning and left a comment that they couldn't handle the content of either books. In an effort to inform readers before they even download a sample, I decided to put the same warning that's in my books in the synopsis. This apparently sent red flags to Amazon and now...here we are. I've never felt more regret in my life for reacting to that review. So like so many times before, one has ruined it for all.
Just a request for other readers/reviewers, if the book comes with a warning and you still can't handle the content, it doesn't mean you get to bash the book that received so many five star ratings from others who loved it. I can understand if the plot was confusing or the writing was bad, but if the book turned your stomach, you probably should have listened to the warnings. Reviewers can easily destroy independent authors and I've never felt more defeated in my life.
I am beyond disappointed, and frankly pissed off, with Amazon's blatant disregard for their readers, their inconsistency in publishing books far more offensive than mine, and yet not providing a single reason for the initial content violation.
So, I'm sorry guys, but after this bullshit, I will no longer be publishing with Amazon. I will continue with CreateSpace for those of you who enjoy the physical copy of books, but that's it. My books will continue to be found on Smashwords, Barns & Noble, Kobo, Oyster, iBooks, etc.
Thank you to everyone who has enjoyed my books and for your continued support. Without you, I would not be here at all.
xoxo
J. Marie
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message 1:
by
Cécile
(last edited Oct 02, 2016 08:36AM)
(new)
Oct 02, 2016 05:31AM
Just found you on iTunes and bought Stolen and Survival. Not a fan of Amazon,too many rules and not enough options for the Netherlands. As far as the rest of your issues with them,i agree 100%! People should be allowed to read what they want wether that's dark,light or anything else. If your not sure,try a sample,the best way to determine if you'll like a book or not. Removing your books on the basis of 1 reader,or even 2,that made the mistake of bying a book that's not for them and then complaining about it? So unfair!
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Yeah, it really amazes me the things Amazon will let slip passed their guard since I've read things far more worse and graphic than my own. You'd think they'd pay more attention to what their readers/ customers want, but I guess not. Oh well, Amazon's loss!
