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.

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:

• DriveThruRPG has stated that it will sell no future works by Zak Smith.
• Veteran author Ken Hite has announced that he will not work with or share credits with Zak Smith again.
• The Gauntlet blog and podcast will no longer cover Zak S or his publications, or attend conventions that he is permitted at.
• WotC's Mike Mearls has noted that they have not engaged with Zak S since he worked for them as a consultant on 5E, although a previous statement from him in 2014 takes a different stance. However, D&D Beyond has now removed all the consultant credits (not just Zak S) from its online version of the book.
• UPDATE - WotC has now made a longer statement and will be removing Zak S from the credits of future printings of the Player's Handbook.
• Gen Con has tweeted a brief statement which says it has investigated, but the results are confidential. It has bene stated by various industry insiders that Zak S has, in fact, been banned from Gen Con, but the convention isn't saying so publicly.

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.

 

[Yunru]

I think that they are well aware given how pen names are a crafted part of the authorial brand that increases product recognition.

Except you were just arguing that an author's actions were inseparable from their works. Something provably false by the existance of pen names.

You're correct that it isn't the same.

That was sarcasm. They're exactly the same.

 

[Alexander Kalinowski]

I cannot verify the veracity of the testimony. Furthermore neither I nor anyone I personally know is interested in entering a relationship with Mr. Smith. So why should I or anyone here whose situation is similar to mine even care? That's something between Mr. Smith and these ladies.

 

[Shasarak]

I have zero respect for those that for some reason feel the need, in this moment, to express sympathy for the man.

Literally no one has done that.

 

[TwoSix]

That was sarcasm. They're exactly the same.

Well, it's not exactly the same...just ask the National Champion (vacated) 2004 USC Trojans.

 

[Alexander Kalinowski]

It's a fan-based celebration of the product brand, which includes the author's brand. This is why these awards are awarded to people and people get excited that people won and were acknowledged for their work. And people vote for these products. Companies inform and direct their fans to voting. Fan groups organize people to vote. Authorship is part of the brand identity and it is inseparable from the content, which can work for and against a person (and their works).

Which explains my general skepticism towards awards and brands.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

When they are revealed to be rapists, yes. They should be fired and never allowed back into public office.

FWIW, felony convictions render one ineligible to hold most public offices.

As for divorcing artists from their art...there are a great many not very nice people in creative fields. As the saying goes:
“Never meet your heroes, because they're sure to disappoint you.”

 

[Shasarak]

Then you should stop engaging, report my post, and let the moderators decide.

Well no that is not going to happen because I am the one who is making it personal.

I mean where in the code of conduct is the warning against personally addressing someone on the forums.

But let me take another crack at explaining this:
Okay, the #MeToo movement is very topical and is a hot button issue. Which makes something like this needlessly controversial. So let's try separating that issue from Zak and looking at it again.

Imagine if Zak S had instead caused regular fights at a convention and beaten the tar out of multiple convention goers?
Would that be someone who should be lauded with an industry award?
Should he keep the award and continue to be able to use it as a reference to get future work?

What if instead he was seen at several white power rallies wearing a white hood and proudly showing off Klu Klux Klan tattoos?
Should he retain an award given to him?
Should he be allowed to continue advertising his products as "ENnie award winning" and potentially making money off their sale?

Because you're not just giving an award to the product, to the art, but to the artist. You're recognising them over other artists. He received Gold and Silver ENnies over other highly popular products that weren't created by a wife beater and online troll. You're costing those products sales and those artists work.

So the award should be rescinded. Ideally, it should retroactively be awarded to the next runner up.

Do you have any other imaginary things that Zak S might have done that we should be aware of? Imagine if Zak S was orange and was the President of the USA? Well we would definitely have to strip him of his Ennie awards then.

 

[kenmarable]

I cannot verify the veracity of the testimony. Furthermore neither I nor anyone I personally know is interested in entering a relationship with Mr. Smith. So why should I or anyone here whose situation is similar to mine even care? That's something between Mr. Smith and these ladies.

If you really do believe it is just between them and don't care... then why are you posting in this thread???

I never understood some people's need to take the time and effort to publicly proclaim that they don't care about something. It completely undermines the point they are claiming to make.

 

[Morrus]

I cannot verify the veracity of the testimony. Furthermore neither I nor anyone I personally know is interested in entering a relationship with Mr. Smith. So why should I or anyone here whose situation is similar to mine even care? That's something between Mr. Smith and these ladies.

I think it's called "empathy".

 

[kenmarable]

Do you have any other imaginary things that Zak S might have done that we should be aware of?

Psst... those were hypothetical.