Improper!

I'm feeling like BCQ has been a little bit violated over the past few weeks.

Let me explain.

In our Author Zone, we allow (and encourage) published authors to submit a profile for themselves and their book so that visitors have many, many books to choose from when looking for something to read.

The Zone, as I like to call it, is a HUGE success and continues to grow on a daily basis. The only stipulation we have is that the book submission be appropriate for all audiences (no bad words or steamy sex talk) because we cater to a general audience. We don't mind romance, we just ask that the profile "keep it clean." So far, we've had no problems with this.

We also offer, on each book's profile page, a place where visitors can make comments if they so wish. Again, we only ask that the comments are appropriate for all audiences. Up until a few weeks ago, we had no problems with this. Both authors and readers have come together to create a wonderful unified community where everyone is comfortable sharing their work and opinions. We are thrilled!

All of the sudden we've been getting very slanderous posts directed at one particular author (unnamed here) in the Zone. I've continually deleted these comments and have gone so far as to ban the author of the comments from posting on our site. This person continually tries to submit inappropriate comments about a particular book.

Now I'm all for freedom of speech and I believe that all books are subject to both good and bad reviews. The problem is that this commenter is launching a personal attack on the author. The comments have nothing to do with the book. It's as if this commenter is using BCQ as a vehicle for online bullying.

Of course I will continue to delete and ban, delete and ban but I'm frustrated this evening as it's a waste of my time and totally immature. Don't people have anything better to do with their time than bully people in cyberspace?!