GalleyCat Appdata Smartphone & Tablet Games Summit: June 26 - San Francisco more TVNewser TVSpy UnBeige AgencySpy PRNewser 10,000 Words FishbowlNY FishbowlLA FishbowlDC MediaJobsDaily SocialTimes AllFacebook AllTwitter semanticweb.com
Hi eBookNewser readers - as you can see we've evolved and are now called AppNewser, where we'll bring you the latest app news and reviews. If you'd just like to keep up to date on digital book news click here. And if you have some news to share email us at AppNewser@mediabistro.com - Thanks, Jason.

How Should Amazon Censor Self-Published Titles?

Self-publishing tools are a way for lesser-known writers to get their work in front of an audience and a great way for readers to discover new work. But with all of the tools at the writer’s disposal, there is a risk of inappropriate work getting through.

While Apple seems overly sensitive about censorship, even keeping James Joyce and The Kama Sutra out of the app store until readers got upset, Amazon has a different problem, not enough censorship. Today Mom bloggerJessica Gottlieb brought to light a new self-published Kindle book called The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure. The book aims to be just that, a guide for child molesters, which goes way beyond free speech.

There are a number of Twitter users angry about this book and the eBook has also elicited a number of Amazon reviewers to demand that the company remove the title or lose customers.

How do you think Amazon should control its self-pub tools without censoring?

UPDATE: Amazon has yet to respond to our press inquiry, but they did just respond to TechCrunch. Here is the statement that they sent to TechCrunch: “Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable.  Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions.” Hmmm….props to Amazon for being anti-censorship, but really, they want to sell sex guides for pedophiles?! It doesn’t help their reputation any!

MEDIABISTRO EVENTS

Use Social Media to Market Your Business

Launch a social media campaign that will build your brand and deliver results in our online Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting June 7. Speakers include Abigail Cusick (Bravo Digital), Gregory Galant (Sawhorse Media), Alex Leo (Thomson Reuters Digital), Jim Tobin (Ignite Social Media), and many more. Read the reviews.