I received a take-down request from a model/photographer yesterday. I deleted the post, but it's only a matter of time before I receive others. Apparently this is becoming a problem for us bloggers, and coming on the heels of the notice of the change in Blogger's policy, I wonder if it isn't time for the fun to end.
I have posted a blog every single day since the CBEB's inception on December 4, 2008, and I'm very proud of that fact. Most of the pics used here were sent to me by readers and blog followers. I have no idea where they came from and giving credit to every model and photographer is impossible. The post I deleted was over a year old, and I doubt that any of my regular followers ever go back that far. I know I don't.
This photographer also brought a site to my attention that is an adult bookmark site. My entire blog was there, which includes not only his photograph, but my family photos as well. I have sent a takedown request to that site and hope they will comply.
Another problem I'm dealing with is that of e-book returns. People are buying my books on Amazon, reading them, and returning them for a refund. Other self-pubbed authors assure me that the more sales I have, the more returns I will get. To me, that's stealing, and I'm guessing some models and photographers feel that posting pictures on my blog is also stealing. Not wanting to be the pot calling the kettle black, I have unpublished this entire blog and will go forth without the erotic pics.
I will continue to blog, but the hunk pictures, I'm sorry to say, will be missing.
We've had a great time here, and we've made a lot of friends. I'm sad to see it end.
I will be sorry to see the hunks go, but that wasn't the only reason I checked the blog each day. I enjoy reading the funny comments, the friendship and getting to know the bloggers. Also the yummy recipes you post. As long as you keep writing the great books you do, we will still have reason to visit and leave our comments for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tanya. I needed that.
ReplyDeleteDitto! The hunks were the icing on the cake. You my dear are the cake! ((Hugs)) and the Amazon return policy stinks!! I have bought books accidentally but the button was right there to reverse it. I once mentioned a formatting issue to them & they refunded the book. That's not what I wanted! Then I had to buy it again. There has to be a better way!
ReplyDeleteWow you wiped out the whole history! Even our first meet cute! Oh well, we'll reminisce so we don't forget lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. I feel a bit lost without the hunks. They were a lot of fun to giggle about. Not sure I can do it without them. Not as well, anyway. We'll see!
ReplyDeleteThe return window on Amazon is, I believe, five days, which is more than enough time for some people to finish a book. I've had returns before, but didn't think too much about it until Undeniable went on sale. Now I'm seeing full sets of the series being bought and then returned. That doesn't strike me as something that happens by mistake. It seems that some people are using Amazon like a library. I'm told that if someone does it too much, Amazon will cut them off. Not sure what that number is, though.
It was either wipe it out or go through and edit out every hunk pic. That was almost 1700 posts. It took long enough to delete them 25 at a time. Actually, I only deleted the one post. The rest I reverted to the draft form. I still have them, but they can't be accessed from here. Trust me, that other site has them all, excluding the comments. I was a little freaked out to find my vacation pics on an adult site other than my own. I also took this blog off the search engines. I might put it back on eventually, but for now, the only way you can find it is to go through my website. At least that's what I think. I've gotten quite an education this evening.
ReplyDeleteWho decides if its too much. Can you not complain to Amazon? I can see a book but a whole set is just abusive!
ReplyDeleteThe Sourcebooks authors all signed a petition to get Amazon to revise their return policy, but so far, no dice. I've been told that many others have tried and failed. Also, I find it very interesting that I've never had a single return on Nook. I don't know what Nook's return policy is, but I'm guessing it must be tougher.
ReplyDeleteThe hunks were fun, but the reason we keep coming here, year after year, is the comraderie, the joy of sharing thoughts with like-minded people, and the educated 'forum' we've created here....please tell me that we can still do this...can we share jokes?? What are the new parameters that we are now breaking??
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I agree with Tanya. I have loved the sexy pics and at one time saved them ALL! But I do understand and I hope you continue the blog as I do enjoy your own personality that shines through your posts! Thank you for so many smiles that you have shared with us! Please continue!!
ReplyDeleteWe can share jokes and I'll probably do more excerpts and such. More rambling observations and pictures I've taken myself. I'm going to avoid the nude pics unless someone sends me some they've taken themselves and gives me permission.
ReplyDeleteActually, I think this change will give the blog a broader appeal among romance readers. I know a lot of people loved the hunks, but I'm sure there were some who visited here once and never came back.
I, too, have enjoyed the interaction with all of you over the past four years or so, and that's the part I cherish the most. To be honest, I've been getting a bit bored scrolling through the hunk files. Maybe this is a good change.
I'm just wondering if my blog will still show up on that bookmark site when all I'm posting are pictures of flowers and my pets. *smirk*
Just checked. Today's post is still there.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad, YOUR HUNKS BEGONE!! BUT!! we seen one big cock, we seen them all. RIGHT? They're forever in our memories. But I along with the rest of you, I will remain a fan and follower . I enjoyed the books, and the interactions with all of you the most over the past four + years.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to see the hunks go (REALLY looked forward to them), but I do understand. I'll still be reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Amazon, I have returned a few books (not yours!), but they were accidentally purchased. I download free books and sometimes there are books that cost money in the free book area. If I'm not paying attention, I don't realize it until hours later when I get the notification from amazon. I have no idea why you get an instantaneous email for free books, but it takes hours for one you paid for. I have never returned a book I purposefully purchased, even if I hated it and the syntax and formatting was so bad it shouldn't have been published. That is MY fault and I just delete the book from my archive. If you are a prime reader, you can borrow books for free anyway, plus libraries now have e-books for download. Anyone using Amazon as a library for e-books, reading the book and then returning for a refund, is just an unethical person in my book.
Don't look at it as a sad end but a Happy Beginning! Reameber the glass is not half empty or half full.... it has just the right amount of room to add the Vodka! I will still follow you naked men or no naked men!
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for their support! I took this blog off the Blogger list a while ago. If it continues to show up on that bookmark site, I will shut it down and start a new blog with a different URL. I'd rather not do that, but, a clean break might be best. I'll keep you posted!
ReplyDeleteNot sure how Amazon Prime works, Shauntih. I know if a book is enrolled in KDP select, the author receives money when the book is borrowed. I've never put any of my books in the select program, and I doubt I ever will because the book has to be exclusive to Amazon for 90 days, and many of my readers have Nooks. If my books are being loaned out through Amazon Prime, I'm not seeing any money from it.
And I do understand that books are often purchased by mistake. My first ever return occurred when my best friend tried to buy a copy with a pre-paid card that didn't have enough money on it to cover the cost. She had to return the book and buy it again with a different card.
Mistakes are one thing, but when full sets are being purchased and returned, I get suspicious. I can see someone buying the first book and returning it if they started reading it and decided they didn't like it, but to buy the second and third in the series after that? Nope. Don't get that at all!
This is a bummer, but we sure understand. I still love your books, the comradery, and the recipes.
ReplyDeleteBut next Wednesday, when Cheryl doesn't wag a big juicy cock in my face, its gonna hit me hard...
I figured as much. Would you like me to send you my whopper file?
ReplyDeleteBoo!!! This is the first site I visit every morning to get ready to face the day!! Not just the hunks, although I'll miss them. I just want to see what one of my best friends is up to!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth! I'll still have a blog for you to visit. It just might move to a new URL. :D
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad about the Hunks, but I know that's not what this Blog is all about. I like coming here for the recipes and fun conversation too. I buy from Amazon and I NEVER return unless it is a dupe or a mistake...bad form, it is like stealing. You're true fans will still be there. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anita!
ReplyDeleteYou've had to take the picts down? Oh no! I have to say I feel a little teary-eyed. You said you've been doing this since 2008, but unfortunately, I just discovered this blog through a friend last March. It's been fun! So sorry for you, Cheryl. The logistics of what's right and wrong on the internet hurt my head too. You had the best of intentions.
ReplyDeleteMichele
Thanks, Michele. We've had a ton of fun here. The blog just won't be the same.
ReplyDelete