don't rain on my parade

Today I heard that Amazon was removing the rankings from GLBTQ books. Individuals have written to the company asking about it, and their reply was "In consideration of our entire customer base, we exclude "adult" material from appearing in some searches and best seller lists. Since these lists are generated using sales ranks, adult materials must also be excluded from that feature." AKA "We take down rankings on books that people complain about."

For an example:

John Barrowman's autobiography Anything Goes, Paperback Edition has a ranking
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anything-Goes-Autobiography-John-Barrowman/dp/1843173336/ref=pd_sim_m_h__3



But the hardcover edition Doesn't.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anything-Goes-John-Barrowman-Carole/dp/1843172895/ref=ed_oe_h



To follow the saga:
The Complaint and Reply http://markprobst.livejournal.com/15293.html
Books that have had rankings removed http://community.livejournal.com/meta_writer/11992.html

omg the internet is here

Two days ago, Mark R. Probst and a group of other's noticed something odd was happening on Amazon.

Now it's hit the mainstream media, with The Los Angeles Times posting about the shenanigans.

Oh, and have a Google Bomb: http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/amazonrank/ Because there are two weak spots in any cooperation: their PR and their monies. As I have done my little part in destroying both today, especially since I was eying a lovely little Welsh grammar.

And Powell's Books may be having a GLBTQ Book sale. The idea came from Twitter #amazonfail trend, which proves that there's always someone looking to fulfill a demand to make a quick buck. I'm finding all sorts of book vendors online from this. = )