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Censorship: How Do You Burn an Ebook?

I thought the practice of book burning was in the past. Apparently not.

I thought the practice of book burning was in the past. Apparently not.  I was quite disturbed after receiving an email from an ebook distributing company, Smashwords. Smashwords.com offers ebooks in all genre’s and for all ebook formats. A one stop shop.

I have been selling ebooks on Smashwords for years and have been quite happy with their service.  Some of my books are steamy, so I list them as such. Hence the email.

The bulk email (which you can read in its entirety by clicking here) states that Paypal was opposed to some of the content, in some of the hundreds of thousands of books on Smashwords.  With Paypal threatening to cancel Smashwords entire PayPal account, they had no choice other than to request the offensive books be removed.

My books are not in those categories, however:  where does it stop?  Why should PayPal say which books you can read? Shouldn’t it be up to the reader to decide? 

Books like these have been on the market for years, so why now?  Has Paypal grown a conscious?  Are they tired of people buying the books and then claiming fraud? Is it a Government conspiracy? 

We may never know, but it is a sad day for everyone, when freedoms are lost.

If PayPal is deciding what is right and wrong, then may God help us all!

More info on Book Banning

If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website,  my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

Lindsay Millett February 29, 2012 at 04:37 pm
I can't believe that! Determining what can and cannot be read based on content when mind-dumbing and sensitivity-dulling images can be seen on every screen in homes or theatres? Now THAT'S offensive.
Murray Jr February 29, 2012 at 05:20 pm
In PayPals defense, they have to tread lightly. If big resellers decide that they are associated with porn they won't allow the paypal option for checkouts. Google Checkout is lurking in the background waiting for an opening like that.
Lynn Hubbard February 29, 2012 at 05:29 pm
Like everything in life, it's all about the money. Credit Card companies charge higher merchant rates for x-rated material. The fact that they are deciding what is porn and what is not, is disturbing. Here is a follow up letter from Smashwords. BTW, this is affecting many online book stores, not just sw. http://www.smashwords.com/press/release/28
Kennesaw Taylor March 1, 2012 at 02:42 pm
Brick and mortar bookstores are now pulling Indi books from their shelves to avoid the controversy. I'm pretty sure this makes the traditional publishers very happy. I imagine we will find them lurking somewhere in the wings controlling the strings of this entire movement.
Lynn Hubbard March 13, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Yay! Paypal rescinded their new regulations. Power to the people!
Read the full notification below. https://www.smashwords.com/press/release/32

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Diana Memmolo June 17, 2013 at 02:09 am
Most all Animal Shelters, Rescues and Humane Societies badly need loving Foster Homes. If you liveRead More in Fulton County, please consider helping Fulton Animal Services. We here in Douglas County, Very, Very badly need loving foster homes. If you want to share your home with a homeless furry soul, and live west of Atlanta... please consider helping your local animals, very badly in need. Both the Humane Society and the County Animal Shelter need help for the animals. The Douglas County Humane Society helps their foster animals with food, medication and needed vetting. Please consider contacting the Douglas County Humane Society at D.Animals@mindspring.com or www.DouglasCountyHumaneSociety.com or call 678 838 9123 or the Douglas County Animal Control Shelter at scollier@co.douglas.ga.us or 770 942-5961 Thank you for considering helping.
debra woodard June 18, 2013 at 03:52 pm
thanks for posting all the contact info diane!
JB June 4, 2013 at 08:58 am
To Mr Bill Adams.....there is no such thing as a MODERN Christian. You are either a Christain or youRead More are not. While we as Christians love the sinner we are not to love the sin nor are we to back those sinners who are committing a sinful act. We should, however, with love in our hearts try to win their souls for God and preach what the Bible teaches. Which by the way, the Bible tells us it is wrong and a sin for a man to lie with a man.
Jana Crump-Aquino June 4, 2013 at 06:13 pm
I wonder how many gay teens were in that audience, who felt horror at that standing ovation? HowRead More many stood next to the parents who didn't know it wasn't a choice, who were standing and applauding next to a child who was already so emotionally torn up inside with the thought of telling these parents they were gay?? How many of these teens will commit suicide rather than tell these parents? Good move church, who is supposed to be preaching forgiveness, understanding and give support to the needy. Who decides what emotion is needy? Feeling gay, or thinking about getting a divorce, or losing your job and needing help? I am not gay, but I wholly believe in living, and let live, and helping where you can with no judgment! This church should be ashamed of itself! This is exactly why I don't go to church, and worship in my own way. They are all a bunch of hypocrites and should be ashamed of themselves.
Elizabeth June 5, 2013 at 05:21 pm
Well said! I agree wholeheartedly. For those that want to look up the scripture, it's in LeviticusRead More 18:22 and 20:13. God spells it out perfectly what you are and are not supposed to do. If God is against it, man should be against it too.