'The Jewel of Medina' controversy

Subject: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:03 pm

Once the August 6th Wall Street Journal opinion piece told everyone that Random House cancelled "The Jewel of Medina" out of fear of Muslim reprisals, a lot of people have had a lot to say about it.

My view, with links to stories, is here: "Random Cowardice." http://jockstewart.typepad.com/writers_notebook/2008/08/random-corwardi.html

What's your take on the controversy?

Malcolm
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Malcolm R. Campbell

http://www.malcolmrcampbell.com

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2069 Location : UK

When a publisher eventually does pick up this book, it will be a best seller in the making. Makes you wonder if this is a ploy to boost interest before the book comes out.

Or am I being too cynical?
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:28 pm

Cynical? You?

Random House has many things to consider, including employee safety. Without reading the book it is hard to form an opinion. Rushdie can be quite insulting so there may be more to the story than we know.
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Mystery Writers of America, Private Eye Writers of America
www.dickstodghill.com

Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:39 am

Rushdie is a jerk who owes millions to publicity rather than ability.

The idea that a muslim threat could be played up... or even fabricated is a pretty good possibility, I'd say.
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Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:52 am

My guess is that it will become a best seller.
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"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch

Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:35 pm

I thought about the PR aspects of the controversy as well, Shelagh. Perhaps we're both too cynical.

Evil or Very Mad

Malcolm
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Malcolm R. Campbell

http://www.malcolmrcampbell.com

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2069 Location : UK

I'm trying to think of a way to provoke a hostile reaction from the press to the anthology. Maybe I should put in the blurb that one of the stories is by a mad, octogenarian Irishman suspected of close links with the IRA splinter group, HRUS.

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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:48 pm

That's good, Shalagh! Twisted Evil

Any idea what HRUS stands for? Acronym finder couldn't find it!
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2069 Location : UK

Hamsters r us.
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:26 pm

I like that. I'm sure Sophie will too if she decides to wake up today so I can tell her about HRUS.
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Mystery Writers of America, Private Eye Writers of America
www.dickstodghill.com

Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:29 pm

There certainly aren't very many books that suffer negatively from bad publicity.

Maybe we should give Sophie a little more exposure, and get her to write the forward...or the cover blurb? Could be our little secret.

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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Sun Aug 17, 2008 12:11 am

That's a good one, Shelagh.
Dick, do you think you could get Sopie on "America's Funniest People and Pets"? She could go streaking!
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:05 am

Zada,
Sophia may want you to accompany her in her streaking event.
_________________
"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2069 Location : UK

Zada,
Abe may want you to acompany Sophie in her streaking event (watch out for the splinters).
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: 'The Jewel of Medina' controversy Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:30 pm

As it takes Sophie at least five minutes to come down from her fourth-floor nest to her water bottle on the first floor, I don't believe she could be convinced that streaking is a good idea.
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Mystery Writers of America, Private Eye Writers of America
www.dickstodghill.com