Ruby JonesAug 8, 2023

Rubbish news, everyone!

After 2 years on sale with no objections, Oviposition has been removed from Amazon. They say is violates their ToS, but I can't see any way that's true.

They allow erotica and it's all my own work.

I've responded to ask what they think it violated, but don't know if that will make any difference.

I'm not sure there's much you folks can do to help me, but maybe consider buying one of my other books? #erotica #kdp #KindleDirectPublishing #Oviposition #Tentacles

Show threadErotic Mythology ✊

@RubyJones Oh no, that fucking sucks! 😔
I had one of my books taken down overnight too. I wouldn't put much hope into getting a reply. I've tried so many times in the past finding out why a book was blocked and I never got a human to respond even a single time.

If you are looking for a new home for the story: Kobo has a subscription service similar to KU. Not sure about how shit the pay is. Smashwords also has a "pay what you want" option but only one single person ever paid for my shortie 😅

Aug 8, 2023 at 5:56pmWeb
Show threadRuby JonesAug 8, 2023

@AimeeMaroux Thanks, I'll check out the Kobo.

It feels like they're doing a lot more random take downs lately - I've seen a lot of people complaining.

Show threadErotic Mythology ✊Aug 8, 2023
@RubyJones Amazon wants to cash in on the erotic content but without acknowledging they sell erotica, much less value the writers.
These smack-downs usually come after someone found erotica on Amazon and publicly complained about it.
Show threadRuby JonesAug 8, 2023

@AimeeMaroux They have bloody book categories for erotica - this is what makes me so mad. It was in the erotica category. It had a warning for non-con. I know for a fact they sell countless non-erotic books with non-con.

But they just replied to confirm that my content was in violation without saying why. I'm livid!

Show threadErotic Mythology ✊Aug 8, 2023
@RubyJones Yeah, I know. The one of mine they removed was non-con too.
I'm not sure if they explicitly disallow it in their ToS but what is the most likely is that either someone flagged the book or they added something to the algorithm that determines if the book is on the index.
Smashwords does allow non-con, so it might be worth considering. It's not Amazon in terms of size but people do go there particularly to buy erotica.
Show threadRuby JonesAug 8, 2023
@AimeeMaroux I've literally only had people buy from Smashwords if it's on sale. People *will* go there, but they seem to need incentive. I will try uploading it there, because why not, but I'm not well enough to do it right now.
Show threadErotic Mythology ✊Aug 8, 2023
@RubyJones One of the erotica writers I met on Twitter, Alana Church, sells exclusively on Smashwords and makes good money. But I think it's a different game than Amazon. Especially if you don't want to do a lot of marketing, Amazon and KU is nice because it gives a little even if you don't advertise.
I personally just got tired of Amazon's bullshit and pulled my books from KU but it's not an easy decision to make if KU makes up a significant part of a writer's income.
Show threadRuby JonesAug 8, 2023

@AimeeMaroux I just find most people I sell to strongly prefer Amazon, even when I offer options. Whereas I've only had one person say they would only buy if it wasn't on Amazon.

Maybe it's easier to just pull out of Amazon if you're more established, but for me it's absolutely clear that I would lose the vast majority of my sales.

Show threadErotic Mythology ✊Aug 8, 2023
@RubyJones Are we talking KU or Amazon in general? Because of course my books are still on Amazon (minus the one they blocked), excluding the platform entirely would be too harsh on me too!
But without KU I can publish the books on other platforms and I think it makes up for the KU money, though it did take a while.
Show threadLauren LeFey (kink mode)Aug 8, 2023
@AimeeMaroux @RubyJones Wait, only one? I think that was probably me, which is just... that's nuts, I'm sorry 
Show threadErotic Mythology ✊Aug 8, 2023
@LaurenLeFey @RubyJones That was you? Thank you so much! 🥺
It really was only once or twice someone opted to pay for the shortie but it is also available for free on my website, so it's not like I expect people to pay for something they can have for free. More like a tip jar. A tip jar with two coins in it 😂 💰
Show threadRuby JonesAug 8, 2023

@AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey I always appreciate people who use tip jars.

I was thinking about getting one for my Medium account (seeing as the partner programme is pointless) but it's hard to do without revealing 'real me' contact details. Ko-fi doesn't work for that reason, as that connects to my PayPal. I have heard of https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ but their website doesn't say much about how it works.

Buy Me a Coffee

Buy Me a Coffee is the best way for creators and artists to accept support and membership from their fans.

Buy Me a Coffee
Show threadErotic Mythology ✊Aug 8, 2023
@RubyJones @LaurenLeFey I am paying one of my illustrators via buymeacoffee. I don't get shown any personal details but it only takes credit cards IIRC.
Show threadRuby JonesAug 8, 2023
@AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey That's reassuring to know! I might explore that as a tip jar.
Show threadAdara AstinAug 9, 2023
@RubyJones @AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey That's why I have a wishlist, not a tip jar: Everything on my list is digital, so no one gets my physical address (they do get a dedicated email address though), and no one gets my real name.
Show threadRuby JonesAug 9, 2023

@AdaraAstin @AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey where have you set up the wishlist?

I can't, for example, use Amazon, as that's linked to my real name and accounts.

Also, I really want to actually make money ;D

Show threadAdara AstinAug 9, 2023

@RubyJones @AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey I set up a different email address that has no connection to my real name or normal Amazon accounts and used that. I wanted it firewalled from my real name for all the same reasons when I set it up.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y2IWOAA0R36G?ref_=wl_share

Check out my list on Amazon

Show threadmollysdailykissAug 9, 2023
@AdaraAstin @RubyJones @AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey and you can put amazon credit/vouchers on your wishlist so then you could use them to buy groceries etc. Not ideal but just another potential revenue stream
Show threadAdara AstinAug 9, 2023
@Mollysdailykiss @RubyJones @AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey Plus in the US, tip jar proceeds may be taxable but at this time, as far as I know, gift cards are not.
Show threadRuby JonesAug 9, 2023
@AdaraAstin @Mollysdailykiss @AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey I don't mind being taxed on my income - I want income - although I am in the UK and taxed there.
Show threadRuby JonesAug 9, 2023
@AdaraAstin @AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey Ah, OK. I don't think I want to do that. I have a separate email address for Ruby Jones, but I don't want two Amazon accounts.
Show threadLauren LeFey (kink mode)Aug 8, 2023
@AimeeMaroux @RubyJones I know I got something from you that I chose to pay for, so I guess so?? 🤷‍♀️ 😂
Regardless you are so welcome and you deserve it and more
Show threadErotic Mythology ✊Aug 9, 2023
@LaurenLeFey @RubyJones Thank you, Lauren 🤗 🥰
I usually pay for "pay what you want" too, though sometimes I'm unsure what is a fair price before downloading the work.
Show threadRuby JonesAug 9, 2023
@AimeeMaroux @LaurenLeFey same.