Adult Publisher Folds

[dr_mabeuse]

Excerpts from an email I received this this morning from Ghede Books, a new label that was being launched by Ellora's Cave Publishing. I'd signed a contract with them for two novels and have a contract for a third sitting on my scanner, waiting for my signature. Even the cover-art was done.

Ghede was going to be EC's more hard-core label.


It is with deep regret that we have to suspend the launch of our Ghede Books imprint.

Due to the conservative climate that exists at this time, the launching of an erotica site now or in the near future places in jeopardy our ability to obtain commercial banking.[my bold] Ellora’s Cave has grown and has needs that traditional or small business banks cannot offer. One service needed is direct deposit of royalties. We have searched for and spoken with many commercial banking venues and have encountered content issues with all of them. Some had content issues with just Ellora’s Cave, without factoring in the new imprint of Ghede Books.

In order to obtain the kind of banking services that we have to have to continue growing, we came to the conclusion that we have to suspend Ghede Books for the time being. No, we are not bowing to censorship, we are compromising.[my bold] We are only suspending the site, indefinitely for the moment, until such time that we are large enough to bring pressure to bear on these banks’ adult business policies and be able to launch without jeopardizing the banking relationship.


"Due to the conservative climate that exists at this time..."

Who's next?

---dr.M.

 

[impressive]

Bummer for you, doc. Bummer for all of us. Damn!

 

[wornoutkeyboard]

Ya know what I love, Dr. M? Tabacco.....kills people. Alcohol....kills people. SUV's.....kills people (no offense to you SUV drivers...but it pisses me off when I see a 90lb woman driving an excursion to go grocery shopping. It is a UTILITY vehicle!). Guns....kills people. All of those have gotten a better wrap than pornography and erotic literature. Ya know, Mr. WOK and I were in Wal-mart the toher day and we both remarked on how Wally-world won't sell Maxim magazine (fine publication) because of their racey covers....yet if ya wanna shoot your wife....you're in the right place!

You know, I am a concervative about most things (policially speaking)...but what I don't get is these fascist neo-cons. We might as well go back to the McCarthy days. It's like you can't be a republican now-a-days without subscribing yourself to some radical rightest agenda.

People really need to see sex for what it is....a healthy part of human nature. We are wired this way from birth and I think (in the humble opinion of this Colonel) that the more we supress and stifle sexuality, the more we see serious and unhealthy levels of sexual deviance. I'm glad I have at least one child because I can have at least one mind that I can teach that his body is okay and that sex is a wonderful thing (not in the crazy inscest way...so stop starin at me!).

Okay.... I'm done being a sappy fool.

~WOK

 

[Liar]

Hmm. That sucks.

 

[Guest]

"Your tithe dollars at work."

 

[Guest]

I'm really sorry about this, Mab., can't imagine how disappointed you must feel.

Wok, I'm right there with you (not right right).

Perdita

 

[minsue]

Damn, Doc. I'm sorry. And not just for you.

 

[rgraham666]

I can't say I'm surprised.

A lot of people think the American Dream is dying and are trying desperately to hold on to the days when that wasn't the case.

Too bad they're doing more damage to it by holding on so tight.

Edited to add: I'm sorry that this happened, Doc. My bad. Sigh.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Notice the way in which this happens. The government doesn't come out and ban this stuff outright or even try. Instead they create a "conservative climate" in which those in power sniff the message on the wind and start watching their pocket books and reputations. It wouldn't do to draw the wrong kind of attention now.

No abridgement of rights, no constitutional challenge, nothing you can really fight against; you don't have to go that far. Just a change in "climate: Janet Jackson, things like that, and people start getting the message.

---dr.M.

 

[neonlyte]

doc.

What a shitty thing to happen. I can't imagine the frustration and disappointment you must be feeling.

I saw your other post earlier today where you mentioned you had three novels 'signed up', and congratulated you from afar, now this.

I do know of plans for a net based book club which will include an adult section, unfortunately, it's not going to be launched soon and the adult section may not be part of the initial offering. When I find out more, I'll let people know.

 

[Guest]

... No abridgement of rights, no constitutional challenge, nothing you can really fight against; you don't have to go that far. Just a change in "climate: Janet Jackson, things like that, and people start getting the message.

That's exactly it, Mab. Even PBS is now censoring programs. I so want to leave this country. P.

 

[BlackShanglan]

That's exactly it, Mab. Even PBS is now censoring programs. I so want to leave this country. P.

Thanks for posting, Dr. M, and sincere sympathies for the personal dissapointment.

That is damned creepy. I would have had trouble believing it if it were not from you. It's extremely unsettling.

Shanglan

 

[Boota]

Sorry to hear that, Dr. M. That really sucks.

I guess we all better learn to do the goosestep. Zieg Heil, Herr Bush!

 

[Boxlicker101]

To reiterate what has been said several times, that really sucks. It sucks for all of us, but especially those who who gain part of their income from erotic works.

I wonder what will be next. Big magazines like Playboy and Hustler have enough clout of their own to stand against those who would censor, but not everybody does. At least, it is virtually impossible to censor the internet, but people are trying.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

That's exactly it, Mab. Even PBS is now censoring programs. I so want to leave this country. P.

Dr M.

Send them this message: "Canada has five or six banks that don't care what you do with the money, provided you meet your payments."


Tuff luck, Zoot!

 

[purple_angel]

We live in Orwellian times

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Doc,

I have wished so much to be published, I can't imagine how you must feel, but you have my deepest sympathy.

*HUGS*

It's sad to see the publisher give in. It bodes ill for any venue that dosen't meet state approval.

 

[oggbashan]

The BBC News tonight included a piece about religion in US Business. They featured a Bank that only practises ethical banking (MD quote 'because it pays on the bottom line'), corporate chaplins 'including' by visits to employees of all faiths, 9 am prayers for all staff at Coca Cola in Atlanta etc. The implied message was that the US is f**king nuts.

Og

 

[shereads]

No, we are not bowing to censorship, we are compromising.

"Due to the conservative climate that exists at this time..."

Who's next?

---dr.M.

The next start-up that needs a bank loan. It's nice that Ghede isn't bowing to censorship, but without funding it doesn't much matter.

It's possible that they couldn't secure the loan for other reasons. Maybe they couldn't prove sufficient demand for an extension of Ellora's Cave. Maybe the name "Ghede" looked Biblical and frightened the vicar.

 

[NoJo]

That's exactly it, Mab. Even PBS is now censoring programs. I so want to leave this country. P.

Come to Europe, P. Your such a European. Not just a Europhile.

 

[davidwatts]

not bowing, compromising?

Where's the compromise? No matter how they phrase it, it still sounds like a surrender to me.

My condolences to you, as you deserve better. The only thing that is certain is the fact that you are so talented, that hopefully a better opportunity from another publisher will come up.

 

[brightlyiburn]

As my sister would say: "They can suck my dick."

Seriously. Maybe you should write them and tell them that.

 

[wornoutkeyboard]

The only thing that is certain is the fact that you are so talented, that hopefully a better opportunity from another publisher will come up.

I second that motion.

~WOK

 

[Guest]

Come to Europe, P. Your such a European. Not just a Europhile.

Jose, that's one of the best things ever said to me. I know I belong there (and you(all) need me too, haha). To live in Venice is too much fantasy but now that I've been to England it's more than a dream. I'll be working on it. Bless you, P.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

The BBC News tonight included a piece about religion in US Business. They featured a Bank that only practises ethical banking (MD quote 'because it pays on the bottom line'), corporate chaplins 'including' by visits to employees of all faiths, 9 am prayers for all staff at Coca Cola in Atlanta etc. The implied message was that the US is f**king nuts.

Og

The USA is f**king nuts! That's what all the wailing and gnashing of teeth was about during the last election. It wasn't just about Iraq. It was about the heart and soul of a nation.

---dr.M.