Amazon: Fail.

gwraig.annwn@gmail.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:31:59 GMT

Following is a press release from Erica Friedman of Yuricon & ALC Publishing, courtesy prairiecrow.

Amazon De-ranks "Adult" Books?

This is not a crisis, nor should we run screaming, but I think it is important enough that every reader, writer, publisher, editor and all champions of freedom of expression should take note. Amazon has changed its policy and has de-ranked books that it deems "adult" in nature. This includes anything they count as erotica and many non-adult LGBT books, as well.

I do not advocate being outraged. Outrage accomplishes nothing. I *do* advocate a polite, but firm letter campaign asking that Amazon allow sales to indicate sales rank and nothing else. I distrust their definition of "adult" if it does not include Twilight, but does include Annie on My Mind.

Please make a firm request that all books be ranked and that they do not involve behavior that can be seen as censorship or "protection." Please feel free to Digg this or forward it to MLs, forums, sites, etc. The more people who protest politely, the more of an impact we can make.

You can contact the Amazon Executive customer service email at ecr@amazon.com, call the customer service phone number: 1-800-201-7575 or login to your Amazon account and visit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/general-questions.html?ie=UTF8&browse_node_id=468496

As a publisher of LGBT comics, as a reader of whatever I want to read, as a member of the community of humans that prefers to think for myself, I ask for your support against this misguided policy.

Erica Friedman
President
Yuricon & ALC Publishing

Clare-Dragonfly

Amazon: Fail.