Satire Writer: "Facebook banned my ad" because a character smokes

BELVIDERE, Ill. - Oct. 22, 2013 - PRLog -- Writer Doug Shiloh had written a novel titled "Pookoo" that includes a mascot that smokes cigarettes and drinks before going out on a busy Chicago street to hand out flyers. It's a cautionary tale about characters falling to the wayside of life.

"I'm not condoning smoking or drinking," Shiloh says. "In fact, I quit both. Smoking over 18 years ago and drinking over a year ago."

To advertise the new audiobook MP3 titled "The 6-Foot Lobster", in advance of his new audiobook, Shiloh tried something new this week: he did a one-week ad campaign on Facebook. The social network service allows for various ad copy and photos for a small ad.

After Day 1 of his campaign, Shiloh decided to switch one set to "This mascot smokes cigarettes." It's a humorous, sarcastic satire - and Shiloh wasn't ever selling tobacco with the story.

Facebook refused the ad, saying "Your ad wasn't approved because it violates Facebook's Ad Guidelines by advertising tobacco, cigarettes, e-cigarettes or related accessories."

"There was none of that," Shiloh said. "They saw the word 'cigarette' and bounced it."

So he changed it and kept getting repeatedly disapproved. He even changed the ad so it only read: "Praise Jesus Christ, the Son of God! I wrote this before I became a follower!" and the ad was still disapproved.

"Maybe it's a glitch after a while, but it's frustrating for running my campaign."

Shiloh's MP3 story, Chapter 12 from his upcoming audiobook version of "Pookoo", can be purchased on iTunes or at Amazon for 99 cents. The link is: http://www.amazon.com/The-6-Foot-Lobster-Doug-Shiloh/dp/B....

Lenny the lobster can be followed on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/lennythelobster.