Paul G. Tremblay recently posted an update regarding the ongoing Bad Moon Books saga. For those unfamiliar with it all, or confused as to the specifics: Bad Moon Books publisher Roy Robbins made a series of anti-gay statements on various horror genre message boards and via email over the last year.
As a result, a number of socially-conscious authors, including Paul, Lee Thomas, and Nick Kaufmann (among others), have stated that they won’t be purchasing any future titles from Bad Moon Books. Jack Haringa has stated that no titles from Bad Moon Books will be considered for review in Dead Reckonings (the critical literary journal published by Jack and S. T. Joshi).
And now, a few authors who have signed with Bad Moon Books since these incidents occurred have called foul on their reactions.
Well, fuck that noise.
For the record, I agree with Paul, Lee, Nick, Jack and the others 100%. Based on the public behavior that I witnessed, as well as his reaction when I privately told him that I could no longer abide working with him because I found his comments to be inexcusable and personally offensive, I will never again buy anything published by Bad Moon Books. And sadly, that includes books written by my friends.
The authors whom are upset by this decision have accused Lee, Paul, and the others of organizing a boycott. But it’s not. They’re not saying, “I forbid you to sell your new novel to Bad Moon Books.” Nor are they saying, “I forbid you to purchase something from Bad Moon Books.” They are simply saying that they choose not to, and here are the reasons why.
I fail to see why this is hard for people to understand.
I’ve had a few folks say to me in private, “Well, when he said on TODP that gay guy deserved to catch AIDS, he was just mad at the gay guy who ripped him off. That doesn’t mean he’s homophobic.”
Now, I’m not going to get into the specifics of what happened between Roy and Jon Reitan because, in truth, I’m not privy to them. But I did see the very public aftermath, and having seen it, I’d like to point out that if you think that justifies Roy’s statements, then you are a pinhead, because what you are saying is this: If a white person rips you off, and you spout hatred for all white people, that doesn’t make you racist. If an African-American calls you a bad name, and you castigate the entire African-American race for it, that doesn’t make you a bigot. If a blind, albino Catholic sleeps with your dog, and you rail against all blind, albino Catholics, that doesn’t make you intolerant.
If you really believe that, then please get off my planet as soon as possible.
Even if that excuse wasn’t ludicrous, it still wouldn’t explain all the other purported incidents, like his repeatedly calling Poppy Z. Brite a “dyke” and “faggot” on the Shocklines message board MONTHS BEFORE THIS MORE RECENT INCIDENT (which Poppy has confirmed). Nor does it explain the other purported unprofessional behavior behind the scenes, such as harassing the folks at Cargo Cult Press.
Believe it or not, I’m not out to ruin the man’s business. Neither are any of the other folks who’ve spoken out. Nor can we damage his credibility or professional standing by voicing our concerns. Why? Because he said these things in public places and there are plenty of witnesses, print outs, and screen shots. The reasonable person test would say, “Yeah, you pretty much did that on your own every time you flew off the handle, Roy.” (And my attorney agrees).
I do think that Mr. Robbins should offer a sincere apology to all of the folks he’s hurt and offended. Poppy states that he apologized to her via email. But what about all the other gay individuals, or their parents, or partners, or friends, or siblings who also saw the rants? Don’t they deserve an apology? That would go a long way to healing this.
Anyway, it’s not my place to tell other people what to do. I just wanted to defend Paul, Nick, Lee and the others. I stand with them on the issue. If you have a problem with their stance, then you also have a problem with mine. And that saddens me, but so be it. I know what I believe, and I know that this is a case where a writer’s ego or a writer’s fear of being alienated by their peers should not override their moral code.
At the end of the day, it’s about what you personally consider to be acceptable behavior, and where you stand regarding that behavior. If you want to sign a contract with Bad Moon Books, then go right ahead. Just know that I won’t be buying your book. Neither will Lee Thomas. Or Nick Kaufmann. Or Jack Haringa. Or Paul Tremblay. Or Paul’s mom, apparently.
But that’s okay. The world will keep on turning.
I leave you with something to consider: an overwhelmingly vast majority of our community shuns Nickolaus A. Pacione for expressing the exact same sentiments that Bad Moon Books has expressed.
You think on that a bit, and explain to me how one is any different than the other? If you’re willing to overlook it in exchange for a publishing contract with Bad Moon Books, then why would you not consider getting published in Tabloid Purposes XVII: Attack of the Africanized (sic) Killer Bees?
Edit: An addendum has been posted here, to clear up a few misconceptions.
And now there is an addendum to the addendum.
(Note: While you are free to comment, Big Joe is under orders, as always, not to approve anything objectionable, actionable, or unfounded. If you don’t see your post, you probably crossed one of those three lines).
If ya run off at the mouth in a public forum then your gonna reamed back in the public forum.Everyone has their right to be an racist asshole they should just keep it between them and their racist friends.
thank you.
this means a lot to this particular queer fellow.
absolutely ditto what loki said. well, except for the “fellow” part. much love for you, brian. <3
Maybe I’m way off, but I saw that whole mess go down, and it seemed like a rather calculated self-destruction on Roy’s part. If a crime was committed, Roy should’ve gone to the authorities, not the internet. I find it a little hard to believe that even a bigoted jackass doesn’t know how spewing hate like that is going to come off.
But then, I’m having a “maybe people shouldn’t all just go burn in hell” kinda day.
Your support of the gay community means a great deal to me, Brian. A lot of gay people almost expect straight women to support us, but there are more and more open-minded, reasonable straight men standing up for us, and that makes me glad.
I fully support your stance, Brian. I refuse to purchase books published by Bad Moon Books and I have said this elsewhere as well. I find his actions and his words totally offensive. I’m a bi-sexual gender queer.
Thank you for posting this.
Well said, Brian. Well said.
The Transhuman Battallion — okay so it’s only me, but I approve that message. I cannot in good conscience support a man like that.
Spot on! I also refuse to buy any books from Bad Moon, simply because of Roy’s several (very public) homophobic outbursts. It’s a personal choice, not part of any sort of organized boycott.
Stick it to ‘em Brian!
Thanks Brian. It means a lot to me as a gay man to know that for some people still have a moral compass. I will never b
Thanks for the info Brian. I was actually considering submitting a novella I’m working on to Bad Moon Books, but since I am now aware of this piece of info, I won’t bother. I’ll find someone else to submit to instead.
Well said!
Thanks, Brian.
And Mom says, ‘hi.’
Yes. Thank you.
The proper response to “John Doe RIPPED ME OFF!” is anger directed at John Doe and his actions, not anger directed at millions of people who share some quality with John Doe.
This should not be hard for adults to figure out, should it? And yet, apparently the Keene Smackdown (TM) is required.
Well said. You’re doing the right thing.
Very sad and disappointing. I won’t be buying from them either.
I don’t have a Bad Moon in my house, nor will I, and I blame Roy that I’m going to be missing out on some good stories and novels this year. Several good friends of mine are publishing with him. I don’t judge them or push my attitude on anyone but I just can’t have any of my monetary or other support going to the guy.
Great one Brian, as i say if you shit on your carpet you got to live with the smell. Roy has nobody to blame but his own narrowminded pig ignorant self.
Hey Brian; your books are my husband’s favorite present on any gift-giving occasion. It’s nice to have another great reason to buy them.
Thanks for taking a stand.
Hey Keene. You actually got someone screening your message boards for “objectionable, actionable, or unfounded” these days? Dude, you went soft on me. I remember a time when you wouldn’t dare open your mouth without being “objectionable, actionable, or unfounded.” Old age must be settling in.
Just checking in. Have a nice day.
Louie
Right on, Brian. I went through a similar experience, not like this one, but something very similar. I won’t go into it here, but I applaud you for your efforts.
If you’re not aware, your FEAR book is still listed on their booksellers list.
I won’t be buying books from there either.
Bravo, Brian; bravo. I’m glad I found this through Mary’s blog.
Living in a cave has its benefits.
Thanks Brian for putting out there what many others would be afraid to even mention. Some of us don’t actaully read any or very few of the message boards and only some blogs. I hope you don’t catch too much flack for it, but I imagine you will. That in itself makes you a stand up guy, because you can take it.
Not sure myself where I stand on this with buying books, since I only just found out about it. Yeah, I’m slow and uninformed. I bet I stand with the people I respect and with what I beleive about people.
Well said, Brian. Thank you for posting your thoughts on this.
Good man. I think Roy’s a reprehensible excuse for a man for what he’s pulled over and over, and it warms the cockles of my heart to see you(and so many other big names) won’t support this bigot
You’ve said it better than I could. So if you don’t mind, I’d like to link to this post on my LJ.
~Meg
Well said Brian. I had just reviewed a book from BMB for Horror World as this all broke. It will be my last review of any of their work. Too bad, really, it was a good book by a good writer.
Thank you Brian, for once again expressing it all so well and so clearly.
One of the people Roy used his blatant homophobia on recently had someone go after him online almost a year ago for being gay. This person used not one, but two websites to complain, out of nowhere, that my friend discussed his activities in the gay community more than he did horror and that annoyed her. She even went so far as to bring up his sickness and claim he deserved what he got (a female Roy!)
Most authors were horrified at her behavior but some only expressed in private that they disagreed with her and didn’t want to make their disgust public. I understand not wanting to jump into arguments I guess. Anyway not Brian Keene. He not only defended my friend on the first message board she used, he made a point to confront her and her allies everywhere she spread her hate. He didn’t have to do that. He could have said he was too busy (probably really was) or whatnot but, he came to my friend’s defense and did it well. In a civilized manor he pointed her lack of one. I remember it well because it was a thing of beauty.
My point is that Keene (and others) have been confronting this sort of behavior before Roy and he and them should be commended for that as well as this BMB fiasco. And at the time of Roy’s last homophobic rage (not his first) I don’t remember Keene demanding a boycott. In fact, I believe most people said that THEY were choosing to, but weren’t demanding others do the same, nor did they threaten to shun those that didn’t.
However, I personally am going to make a point to boycott anything related to a certain female who posted snarky comments over at Paul’s lj (first link listed in Brian’s entry above) because her ignorance disgusts me. She tells us that she has never seen Roy threaten someone who is gay so it obviously never happened (it did, I saw it myself) AND she had the unmitigated gall to claim that when Roy said what he said it wasn’t so bad because a) it was in an email (and HE didn’t make it public!) , b) the person whose sexuality he insulted “performed very badly” during the exchange, and c) “at least BMB apologized afterwards”. Either she is unaware of all he has said along those lines, which would make her ignorant for not knowing what she was talking about before speaking, or she does and is trying to help get Roy out of the hot water he has once again gotten himself into, and that is not only ignorant as well but appalling.
Sorry y’all for the wall of text. Thanks once again Brian.
It saddens me that Roy would spout off like that in public. It was nice to hear someone standing up for what is right, Brian. I know that Roy has lost my business as well.
Pretty much have to agree with all of what you said, Brian.
I cannot in good conscience support Bad Moon Books. I certainly don’t hold any grudges against the authors being published there–hey, it’s a tough market these days–but I won’t be buying any books myself.
And yes, I happen to list a few Bad Moon Authors among my friends.
I came here via Meg’s link on her lj, and just wanted to say well said, to you, and to some of your respondants. If more people had better moral compasses, and were able to accept responsibility for their own actions, the world would be a lot better off.
Do you mind if I link to these discussions on my lj?
Well stated, as always, Brian. I have railed against censorship in all its forms over the years, but this is not censorship. This is a free country. And just as the grandmother in Iowa, who does not want to watch those naughty television shows, is free to turn the channel, we are free not to spend our money in support of someone who spouts hate. And it’s about time someone stood up for blind, albino Catholics everywhere! Bravo!
Go, Brian! I have nothing really to add except I agree with you.
And I’m shaking my head at the internet for being…well, “How dare you speak out against injustice and hate speech because then some good people might not get as much money!” I mean, really? I’m baffled that injustice and hate speech can be considered trumped by monetary concerns.
It’s not that I’m insensitive to the plight of those authors now dealing with the aftershocks, I understand it. Then again, I’ve also put my job on-the-line in the past by flatly refusing to read and produce bigoted ad-copy. Maybe I’m just weird in doing so, but I’d hate to think the world is that sad a place most people wouldn’t in the same situation.
Come on now, I don’t think it’s fair to compare real published authors to a vanity press borderline mentally challenged individual with rage issues and a 98 IQ.
Bad form!
“I don’t think it’s fair to compare real published authors to a vanity press borderline mentally challenged individual with rage issues and a 98 IQ.”
When the two have echoed the same sentiments, it’s absolutely fair.
You tell em Brian! And I mean your response to bad moon books and to Debbie’s comments above. It really means alot to me that you said these comments and that you continually defend them. Its amazing to me to know that as a gay man, my favorite horror writer not only keeps me constantly entertained but will also constantly defend my right to date who I want without persecution.
She must be a friend of little nicky’s. He just linked to this in his blog