For me, abusing a child in any way is one of the worst things that you can do (and him supporting child pornography is a form of child abuse as far as I’m concerned). I think I am more likely to not want to have anything to do with an author who is linked to child molestation (aka supporting the child pornographic industry) than to an author who, say, robbed someone. There is a creep factor that would make it hard for me to even hold the book in my hands once I know what the author is up to. Although I am not about book banning, I would (presumably) be the one having to read the book to my child — and if I can’t stomach the idea of being in any way associated with a certain person, then I am obviously going to have a hard time reading a book that they created in the same mind that they fantasize about children.

Aside from that I wouldn’t want to support this person.

Though I might someday actually get around to reading Hitler’s book, proceeds don’t support him nor his cause.

Interestingly, it used to be perfectly legal for say a murderer to make any amount of money writing/speaking about the crime and or victim. Now they are not allowed to profit when directly talking about their crimes.

We authors can be a tricky lot. What hidden messages may be embedded in his writing? Is what I’m saying a reach? Perhaps. But not by much.

Paranoia aside, I refuse to support the work of a monster.

When Woody Allen married a girl that was for all practical purposes his stepdaughter, I stopped seeing his movie, even though I had enjoyed them a great deal before. I would not pay to see a Roman Polanski movie, since even if he is a ‘Great Artist’, I also think he raped an underage girl. And while I think The Passion is one of the greatest movies ever made, Mel Gibson is pretty much on my ‘Do Not Support’ list.
They can get the money they live on from someone else, not me.

I strongly disapprove of child pornography etc. But to me that doesn’t mean they don’t have other legit talents. Such as writing. I won’t refuse to buy something associated w a murderer, who I also strongly disagre with.

I would not take my child to a book reading or signing or anything where they would meet an author charged w child pornography or anything related. But reading the book in my own home is not the same. For me it would all depend on the book itself before I would say yes or no.

One hundred fifty years ago, at age 13 you could be married with kids and owning property.

I think most of the sentiments here are that people simply don’t want to financially support the author.

The life expectancy was also around 40, so if you weren’t married at age 20 (middle age) you’d already be “old”.

@Gwen, I might be in the minority but I don’t think pedophiles can be rehabilitated. That’s like telling someone they have to stop liking blonds with long legs. You can’t trump nature.

Parents have the responsibility of crafting their child’s environment. There are things that we shield them from because they are not old enough to process them. It is unrealistic to think that we can do a background search of every author, cashier, artist, etc that they come into contact with, but it would be irresponsible not to react when we KNOW of a person with a negative history.

I am all for rehabilitation and for allowing criminals to get on with their, hopefully productive, lives. Still, this one just creeps me out.

If the book was a 150 years old (and the author not longer alive obviously)would you care as much?

Would it make a difference if he was writing for adults?

Would you let your children read the works of Plato? It is very likely he not only had sex with minors, but also owned slaves. Does it make it okay because of the time period and laws of the place he lived?