Amazon has taken down the Sad Bastard Cookbook

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Amazon has delisted *The Sad Bastard Cookbook*, a free, Creative Commons, self-published cookbook aimed at “depressed, disabled, and broke” readers, without giving the authors a clear reason. Commenters speculate about automated moderation, AI-content or “community guidelines” triggers, and note how hard it is to reach a human at Amazon. The incident sparks a broader debate about Amazon’s dominance in book distribution, the fragility of self-published authors who rely on its print-on-demand infrastructure, and what viable alternatives (Lulu, Ingram, Blurb, local bookstores, libraries) realistically exist.

Removal and possible reasons

  • Amazon took down “The Sad Bastard Cookbook” and sent a generic “Community Guidelines” email, without clear explanation.
  • Commenters speculate multiple causes: profanity in the title, targeting “depressed, disabled, and broke” readers, algorithmic flags for AI-generated content, or suspected manipulation of reviews/ratings.
  • Some note that Amazon hosts many titles with stronger language, implying inconsistent or whitelist-based enforcement.

Author perspective and dependency on Amazon

  • One of the authors explains they rely on Amazon print-on-demand for:
    • Reach: Amazon’s recommendation algorithm and user base make it the main discovery channel.
    • Economics: Competing POD services (Ingram, Draft2Digital) previously yielded far lower royalties or poorer print quality.
    • Distribution: As a self-published work, options for brick-and-mortar and mainstream distribution are limited.
  • Loss of the Amazon listing affects income that helps cover basic living costs.

Alternatives for purchasing and printing

  • The ebook is free under a non-commercial Creative Commons license and still available on non-Amazon sites (including itch.io and a small press site).
  • Commenters suggest POD/indie options like Lulu, Blurb, and Ingram; experiences vary on quality and payouts.
  • Some ask for better ways to buy directly from creators instead of via Amazon.

Amazon dominance, support, and trust

  • Many criticize the difficulty of reaching a human at Amazon and describe the process as Kafkaesque.
  • Others defend Amazon’s convenience, predictable shipping, and strong early track record on customer satisfaction, though counterfeit problems and warranty disputes are noted.
  • Several participants try to avoid Amazon on ethical grounds but admit it’s hard because many sellers do not provide competitive pricing, UX, or fulfillment.

Moderation, reviews, and AI

  • Commenters discuss Amazon’s automated systems for detecting fake reviews and AI-generated content; false positives and lack of transparency are a concern.
  • Some argue opaque reasons for takedowns are intentional to prevent bad actors from gaming the system.
  • There’s a broader side-debate on LLMs: useful as tools for domain experts vs. blunt, error-prone instruments that can’t replace humans.

Cookbook reception and content

  • Readers praise the book as humorous, kind, and helpful for people struggling with mental health and low energy.
  • One recipe’s advice to shake hot liquid in a jar sparks a safety debate about scalding risks.