Ok. NOT ok Amazon!! I just went to Amazon.com and was looking up books on the topic of transgender issues so I could bring a few titles to group tomorrow. When I searched "Transgender" under books the VERY FIRST book was called something I'd rather not repeat(but rest assured it's a VERY adult title with no mistaking what it's about!!). This is NOT ok!!! This should NOT be the very first book on the topic! I WILL be telling Amazon about this, and I please ask you to share this, and tell Amazon how you feel! I have *no* problem with adult materials, but it doesn't belong under that keyword by itself. Someone looking for help or information should not find fetish at the top of the list!!

I am a facilitator of a local trans group in my town and I was looking for titles that would help my group, and those around us that might like more information. For that title to be the FIRST of the list is unacceptable. For FOUR adult titles to be in the top 10 books of my search is FURTHER insulting and unacceptable.

Please share this note! Pass it on, and tell Amazon how you feel.

amazon-pr@amazon.com
Aws-pr@amazon.com
kindlepr@amazon.com
(206) 266-7180

In case anyone wanted some thoughts about what to say, here's my email to them:
Hello,

I am the facilitator of a transgender support group in [my town, my state]. I was looking for titles that would empower my group and lead to discussions and further knowledge. So as a long time customer of Amazon.com I came to you first. I searched for "transgender" in books and the very first title that came up in my results was a very adult and fetish title. Further; in the top 10 there were 4 adult titles.

I personally don't really have an issue with these titles being on your site, I'm sure there's a place for everything. However...there should be some sort of additional keyword that should be put in before such titles come up. Parents searching for answers about their children look for books on the topic of transgender people. Friends, coworkers and other family members look for books to understand transgender people in their lives. Transgender people themselves look for books for further understanding and help! The first thing these people see should NOT be fetish topics!! This is unacceptable. This needs to be changed. Please, please look into this and make changes as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Sevan Marlow

actually, it isn't Amazon's fault with this one.

I have a book published on Amazon right now and the author has full authority and power to place their books in up to five different categories...and Amazon offers dozens of subject categories.

When you typed "transgender" in the book search engine, the books come up that way because the author placed "transgender" as their first subject choice; it is also determined by the publishing date and the cost. Since she published her book two and a half months ago, has it at 2.99 and put "transgender" in her category you will see that until the next one publishes a book with transgender in its category. If anything, you should write to "Sara Swallows" and ask her to reformat her subjects accordingly. If I were her, I would have made the first choice "Adult Fiction - Erotica."

If you want a good book, I suggest http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Visible-Man-Jamison-Green/dp/082651457X/ref=sr_1_38?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327726619&sr=1-38. We used his book in a couple different sexuality/gender classes at Seminary.

My book can be found by typing my name.

But I am afraid protesting to Amazon will not do anything. You need to get at the source...which is to protest to the authors and tell them to place their books in Erotica. But I am sure that will not get you very far.

Again, I have no problem with adult fiction on the topic. What I have a *problem* with is that it is the VERY FIRST item that comes up in the search. I've searched with a few different computers and it's the same regardless. I don't believe the author has control over where their book would come up in the list of all items that come up with that keyword. Though I may well contact Sara Swallows as well.

Quote from: Sevan on January 27, 2012, 11:04:21 PM
Again, I have no problem with adult fiction on the topic. What I have a *problem* with is that it is the VERY FIRST item that comes up in the search. I've searched with a few different computers and it's the same regardless. I don't believe the author has control over where their book would come up in the list of all items that come up with that keyword. Though I may well contact Sara Swallows as well.

Authors actually do. That book is the newest book under the transgender category and its the cheapest for the newest publication so her book will be first. When my book was published it was the first one for three weeks.

Barnes and Noble has it set up the same way but they have physical books in front to publishing date then nook books to publishing date. If you search "Transgender" on Barnes and Noble, her book is the first ebook down (like the fourth one down)

It also simulates a brick and mortar book store. All new releases are usually at the front of the store. Older ones get pushed to the back shelves.

I appreciate the information. However Amazon is still the seller. Remember the situation of the book that explained how to go about pedophilia recently being sold by Amazon? People went into an uproar, campaigned against Amazon and the book was removed. Amazon as the seller has every right to choose what is on their site and where.

I don't even want this book removed necessarily. I do want it put in a more appropriate category. If someone chose an inappropriate category Amazon would have the over ride to move it as they see fit. Someone couldn't write about...knitting...and then put it in a more "exciting" category that might have more views.

Quote from: Sevan on January 27, 2012, 11:11:08 PM
I appreciate the information. However Amazon is still the seller. Remember the situation of the book that explained how to go about pedophilia recently being sold by Amazon? People went into an uproar, campaigned against Amazon and the book was removed. Amazon as the seller has every right to choose what is on their site and where.

I don't even want this book removed necessarily. I do want it put in a more appropriate category. If someone chose an inappropriate category Amazon would have the over ride to move it as they see fit. Someone couldn't write about...knitting...and then put it in a more "exciting" category that might have more views.

I understand, but that book was on pedophilia. That has illegal implications. This is a transgender erotica book. They wont remove that because it isn't illegal. Removing that book because it offends you while it is a legal book would impede on the freedom of speech. They have a strong case to keep that search pattern concurrent (unless it is a book glorifying something illegal).

Hell, we even sell Marijuana Magazines at Barnes and Noble. Even tho the drug is illegal, books are not. However, due to the sensitive nature of pedophilia and a book on rape would be so counter culture to our society, corporations will bend rules to get those books sent back to the publisher. Unfortunately, this transgender erotica book wouldn't fit one of those "bending the rules moments."

I would suggest when you do a search pattern for transgender to select "Highest Ratings First." So you wont have to see it.

Also remember, just because a transgender erotica book may offend you, it may not offend other transgender people. Amazon did not put it there on the first spot on purpose. When the next transgender book is published, it will be knocked down to number two and so forth.

I understand your frustration, but Amazon will not change a search pattern feature because some people got offended that an erotica book was first on the list.

The best and most effective method is to write to the author and ask them to make their first search tag choice "Erotica."

I am now done talking to you because you clearly don't read posts. I've repeated myself. And I'm done. You've derailed this thread and I won't allow it.

**I'm not asking for the book to be removed as I've said at least 3 times now. I want it to be moved to an appropriate area.

***I'm not offended by transgender erotica. Far from it. I just feel such books should be properly located. This is not about my personal beliefs. This is about anyone who would search for transgender on Amazon.

im sorry you got offended that I did not agree with you.

Hope it works out for you.