RPG Writer Zak S Accused Of Abusive Behaviour

RPG writer Zak S (aka Zak Smith, Zak Sabbath) has been accused by multiple women of abusive behaviour in a public Facebook post by his ex-partner, and two other women.

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RPG writer Zak S (aka Zak Smith, Zak Sabbath) has been accused by multiple women of abusive behaviour in a public Facebook post by his ex-partner, and two other women.


800px-Zak_Smith.jpg

Photo from Wikipedia​


Zak Smith appeared in the video series I Hit It With My Axe, and is known for the Playing D&D With Porn Stars blog. He has also written several RPG books, most recently for Lamentations of the Flame Princess, consulted on the D&D 5th Edition Player's Handbook, has won multiple ENnies, and recently worked for White Wolf. As yet, he hasn't made any public response to the accusations.

Since then, another ex-partner of Zak Smith, Vivka Grey, has publicly come forward with a further account of his conduct.

This isn't the first time that Zak Smith has been accused of inappropriate behaviour (language warning in that link). The Facebook post, which was posted overnight, has been shared widely on social media, and takes the form of an open letter (linked above; it makes for unpleasant reading, so please be aware of that if you choose to read it).

The industry has been reacting to the news. Amongst many others:

I believe Mandy, Jennifer, Hannah, and Vivka. It must be terrifying to come forward like this. They have been put through horrible ordeals. I will not cover Zak’s work on this site, in my podcast, or elsewhere, and will not provide him with any kind of platform.
 

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Shasarak

Banned
Banned
Though he was preemptively pardoned by Ford, Nixon was never formally convicted of a crime when he resigned, but we had increasing evidence of illegal wrong-doing and acted upon that evidence.

Did Nixon get stripped of his ex-Presidental status after he resigned?

I am guessing not since, as you say, he never was convicted of illegal wrong-doings. If you look at the history book it does not say 39th President of the USA vacated.
 


Though he was preemptively pardoned by Ford, Nixon was never formally convicted of a crime when he resigned, but we had increasing evidence of illegal wrong-doing and acted upon that evidence.

I hope you're not implying we should hold anyone to the same standards as a man holding the highest public office in the land.
 


redrick

First Post
Y'all just going around in circles with the same few people, using increasingly outlandish analogies. I think it's a waste of time. Don't put the pressure on the few customers who proudly proclaim that one's "personal life" (eg, serial harassment, sexual assault and partner abuse) should be kept entirely separate from their art. Put pressure on the people who have the power to stop enabling Zak through giving him access to their marketplace, through granting him awards, through celebrating his work.

Stripping an abuser of their influence within their community is not just about meting out punishment. It is about taking away one of the weapons that they use to harass, assault and torment countless individuals — their power and standing in a community.
 


What would be the value of an award that can get stripped based on hearsay? It would be nil.

What's even the value of an award that is, in part, based on personal conduct and not strictly professional excellence? Why would I, as an industry professional, even want an award if that would give some award comittee some leverage about my personal life? To be honest, I'd rather skip the award and be in charge of my own destiny.
 

What's even the value of an award that is, in part, based on personal conduct and not strictly professional excellence? Why would I, as an industry professional, even want an award if that would give some award comittee some leverage about my personal life? To be honest, I'd rather skip the award and be in charge of my own destiny.
When the "leverage about my personal life" is along the lines of "hmmmmm, did I or didn't I sexually assault anyone?", I don't really see the problem with that sort of person filtering themselves out of the mix.
 

Aldarc

Legend
I hope you're not implying we should hold anyone to the same standards as a man holding the highest public office in the land.
Did Nixon get stripped of his ex-Presidental status after he resigned?

I am guessing not since, as you say, he never was convicted of illegal wrong-doings. If you look at the history book it does not say 39th President of the USA vacated.
You are two are both presenting strawman arguments, though I cannot say for certain whether you are intentionally or unintentionally misreading me. I would certainly like to believe the latter so I will give you another chance to contextualize my statement. But here is a hint: Nixon's POTUS status is not the point.
 

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