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.

 

[Shasarak]

Psst... those were hypothetical.

Yes that is what I said, imaginary.

 

[Aldarc]

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

There are many authors we know more by their pen names and similarly actors by their stage names. Many works of literature, theater, and cinema are examined in light of the creator's actions and their works. And all of this is beside the point when talking about the Ennies, Zak Smith, and his actions.

There is a reason why James Watson (one of two scientists who won a Nobel prize for stealing the work of Rosalind Franklin) was recently stripped of a number of his honors by the laboratory that had worked for since 1968. It was because of his actions making incredibly racist remarks and justifying it with debunked science.

That was sarcasm. They're exactly the same.

Thank you. I'm glad that you informed me that it was sarcasm, as I never could have gathered that naturally from the puerile tone entrenched in the false equivalent statement that you provided.

 

[Shasarak]

Holding rapists to consequences is not political. Literally, no politics are involved unless you're the type of person who thinks that one sort of political leaning is "pro rape" and the other is "anti rape" and you have a problem with the latter.

Has anyone actually been convicted of a crime? Is libel even a thing from where you are from?

 

[Shasarak]

There is a reason why James Watson (one of two scientists who won a Nobel prize for stealing the work of Rosalind Franklin) was recently stripped of a number of his honors by the laboratory that had worked for since 1968. It was because of his actions making incredibly racist remarks and justifying it with debunked science.

The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory said it was revoking Watson’s honorary titles, which include chancellor emeritus, Oliver R Grace professor emeritus, and honorary trustee.

 

[Steve Conan Trustrum]

Because it's not ZAK's award. It's his work's. Retracting the award from the works becajse of the author is punishing the child for the sins of the father. The work has nothing to do with his actions, and thus would be unfairly inhereting the stigma.

Speaking as a professional author ...

say what?

Tell you what: if you can get Zak's work to provide you with a victim's impact statement regarding how potentially taking away the award makes it feel, I'll jump on board with you 100%.

I'll also thank you to quit with the personal attacks, as this is the second post in succession where you have made them. It's almost... abusive.

Stop providing the evidence that makes the observations accurate. If you don't like the response you get for what you're saying, stop saying those things.

 

[kenmarable]

Yes that is what I said, imaginary.

Then why were you asking for more that we should be aware of? Just imagine them if you want.

And I'm wondering what the line is between accusing someone of harassing Zak for saying he should have his awards taken away, then taking issue with even hypothetical points they make, and (literally) showing sympathy for Zak. It's looking awfully blurry when someone works so hard to defend Zak's awards.

 

[Alexander Kalinowski]

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.

That's a logical fallacy. I do not care about the actual subject because without verifiable evidence it's all rumor-mongering to me. I do care (at least enough to post here) about people not exhibiting the same attitude to the issue.

I think it's called "empathy".

There's nothing to be empathic about as I have no way of deciding if the testimony is truthful or a bunch of lies. Without that information who should I be empathic to - Zak Smith or his accusers? Who has been wronged here? I don't know, so I will abstain from taking sides.

Do you know?

 

[Steve Conan Trustrum]

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.

And yet you took the time to post that here.

 

[Aldarc]

Has anyone actually been convicted of a crime? Is libel even a thing from where you are from?

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.

 

[Shasarak]

Then why were you asking for more that we should be aware of? Just imagine them if you want.

And I'm wondering what the line is between accusing someone of harassing Zak for saying he should have his awards taken away, then taking issue with even hypothetical points they make, and (literally) showing sympathy for Zak. It's looking awfully blurry when someone works so hard to defend Zak's awards.

Well, lets imagine that kenmarble was part of the KKK. How many people do you think he would have killed?

Do you not see the problem with this?