Posted by draabe on 30 September, 2008
After announcing its two-book publishing deal with Sherry Jones, author of the forthcoming controversial novel, The Jewel of Medina, Gibson Square Books has, for the moment, suspended its publication in the UK.
The novel tells the story of Aisha, the alleged favorite wife of the prophet Mohammed, and is characterized by Jones as “an epic love story and a story about women’s empowerment.” Amid charges of censorship, critics have purported that the book could incite violence amongst a small group of radical Muslims offended by the negative portrayal of Mohammed and/or Islam.
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, Gibson Square’s headquarters were set on fire in North London. Three men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, and one woman was arrested on Sunday for obstructing police during searches of homes in the London area.
On September 29, Sherry Jones’ agent, Natasha Kerns, told reporters that Martin Rynja, Gibson Square’s publisher whose residence doubles as Gibson Square’s headquarters, was “fine and uninjured [and] planning to go ahead with the book, as are other publishers worldwide, despite this shocking attack.”
However, even though the book is already en route to UK bookstores, Alan Jessop of Gibson Square’s sales company, Compass, now states that Rynja “has put publication in suspended animation while he reflects and takes advice on what the best foot forward is.” Rynja has now gone into hiding and Anjem Choudhary, former member of an Islamist group, claims that “further attacks are inevitable.”
Previously dropped by both Random House and Ballantine Books, The Jewel of Medina is being published by Beaufort Books in the U.S. and is scheduled for release on October 15, 2008.
Posted in BOOKS | Tagged: publishing news, jewel of medina, sherry jones, beaufort books, gibson square, martin rynja, Gibson Square Publishers | 4 Comments »
Posted by draabe on 23 September, 2008
Much more than a beautiful coffee table book, Living Homes: Sustainable Architecture and Design is a well-written introduction to a trend in homebuilding worth following, especially considering the ever increasing need for sustainable living and desire for environmental harmony. The book is full of high-quality photographs taken by Terrence Moore framed by stories of the homeowners who graciously opened up to writers Suzi Moore McGregor and Nora Burba Trulsson. McGregor has become an example and advocate of sustainable architecture, specifically researching desert environments for her previous book, Under the Sun: Desert Style and Architecture. Trulsson, a freelance writer who has written for numerous architectural and design publications, is currently the editor of Sources and Design.
Read more…
Posted in BOOKS | Tagged: BOOKS, Book reviews, Living Homes, Nonfiction Five, sustainable architecture, design, suzi moore mcgregor, terrence moore, homebuilding, crested butte, napa valley, sources and design, sources + design, tesuque rose, napa-cha, adobe, straw bale, rammed earth, nora burba trulsson | 1 Comment »
Posted by draabe on 10 September, 2008
In yet another misleading television ad created by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, senate candidate Al Franken (D-MN) is being portrayed as an “angry partisan” who would deny prescription drug coverage to seniors if he could. The ad implies that incumbent Norm Coleman (R) cares more about prescription drug coverage for seniors than Franken does. But where do the candidates really stand on the issue of Medicare Part D?
Franken has said he would have voted against the measure which allowed for Medicare Part D, apparently because he is in favor of prescription drug coverage and affordable health care for seniors. The Pioneer Press article used in the NRSC’s ad reads:
“Unlike Coleman, Franken said he would have voted against the measure that created Medicare Part D, which provided seniors prescription drug coverage, and the 2005 bankruptcy reform bill. Both, Franken said, were written by industry lobbyists…”
What the NRSC fails to mention is that under Medicare Part D, once total drug spending hits $2,250, coverage ends and seniors must pay for their medicine themselves. Their benefits resume only after they have spent $5,100 on prescription drugs.
Read more…
Posted in Franken v. Coleman, POLITICS | Tagged: Al Franken, Franken v. Coleman, Medicare Part D, Norm Coleman, universal health care | 2 Comments »
Posted by draabe on 2 September, 2008
Bestselling author Stephenie Meyer has given up work on her highly successful Twilight series after a draft of the current installment was stolen and posted on the internet. Books in the series include Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. The series, widely popular among young teens, is a “riveting vampire love saga” according to the publisher, Little Brown & Co., a division of Hachette Book Group USA.
Meyer had carefully distributed the fifth and final book in the series, Midnight Sun, to only a few people.
“I have a good idea of how the leak happened as there were very few copies of Midnight Sun that left my possession and each was unique…”
she said, indicating that the recipients of the draft were not directly responsible for the leak. Meyer is no longer in the frame of mind necessary to continue working on the story and has posted the partial draft on her website. However, she reiterated that the leak was not only upsetting but an illegal violation of copyright law.
“I think it is important for everybody to understand that what happened was a huge violation of my rights as an author, not to mention me as a human being. As the author of the Twilight Saga, I control the copyright and it is up to the owner of the copyright to decide when the books should be made public; this is the same for musicians and filmmakers. Just because someone buys a book or movie or song, or gets a download off the Internet, doesn’t mean that they own the right to reproduce and distribute it. Unfortunately, with the Internet, it is easy for people to obtain and share items that do not legally belong to them. No matter how this is done, it is still dishonest. This has been a very upsetting experience for me, but I hope it will at least leave my fans with a better understanding of copyright and the importance of artistic control.”
Meyer has put the story on hold indefinitely, but the film version of the first book is due in theaters on the 21st of November. A new hardcover collector’s edition of Twilight is available for pre-order now.
Posted in BOOKS | Tagged: breaking dawn, eclipse, hachette book group usa, new moon, publishing news, stephenie meyer, twilight, twilight saga | 5 Comments »
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