Well, isn't THAT pleasant...

[x_maker]

Well, as if I didn't have ENOUGH reasons to want to drop a large non-ferrous rock on Erik Lehnsherr...

From an email that my publishers forwarded me:

Due to the claims of responsibility for the disaster in San Diego, we have decided to no longer carry the following titles on our retail shelves and online bookstore:
--Polarity: The Biography of Erik Lehnsherr, by J.H. Forge--

Our current stock of this title will be returned to the publisher in accordance with contractual buyback policies.

J. Cruise
Managing Partner for Sales, Barrett Distribution Inc
NYC, NY

What this basically means is that my book's being pulled off the shelves of all of the stores owned by Barrett Distribution. That means all Books Inc stores, all Index stores, all those InFlight kiosks in the airports, plus their online stores. Barrett's legal department faxed over some form letter claiming "sales and advertisement of this title would present an unwelcome and controversial corporate image in these troubled times".

I don't know who I'm angrier at, a terrorist who floors a city, or the corporate jackals who decide that it's "too risky" to sell a book about him.

Oh well, at least Amazon hasn't pulled it yet. Despite dropping from #15 to #212 in two weeks because of this. I suppose I'm lucky that I had a guaranteed advance instead of the high royalties they suggested...

Comments

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Well. Disappointing but not entirely surprising when you stop to think about it. Most large booksellers aren't in the business of spreading knowledge, they're in the business of making money.

[x-aerial.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. At least it is still available for purchase. Maybe more people will want to buy it because it is being considered controversial.

[xp_daytripper]

That sucks, mate. I finished reading it on one of the planes I've been on recently and I thought you'd done a great job. Figures they'd run from anything that might vaguely be considered 'sympathetic' to buckethead, even if it's really not.

Makes you wonder if any of these plonkers actually read it.

[x-polarisstar.livejournal.com]

The terrorist, you dingbat. Stay angrier at the terrorist.

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

Remind me again why we can't drop a big pile of concrete on him?

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

Because technically, I kind of need him to go to trial and that requires him being alive. So *I* don't get screwed over.

[x-aerial.livejournal.com]

Is the concrete dropping scheduled to take place after the trial, then?

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

As much as I would like to see something horrible happen to the man, I know the right thing to want is for the system to work like it's supposed to - with a fair and public trial this time.

[x-rictor.livejournal.com]

Wait, a trial? You are testifying aginst him if he is ever caught?

How did you...work that out?

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Kind of part of a deal I have. Remember that "get out of jail free" card I mentioned? My part of that is testifying against Lehnsherr when he gets brought to trial.

[x-rictor.livejournal.com]

I wonder, if they would offer me something similar?

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

Don't worry - nothing you did was your fault. You didn't have a choice in the matter, remember? A few years back, I made a bad choice and was lucky enough to get the chance to make up for it.

The only thing you have to make up for is being a horrible spotter, I still say.

[x-rictor.livejournal.com]

.....

I can't see very well when things are far away!

[x-siryn.livejournal.com]

Then you need glasses.

[x-rictor.livejournal.com]

Do not. My vision is fine, I can see well enough.

[x-siryn.livejournal.com]

Does Mr. Haller agree, do you think?

[x-rictor.livejournal.com]

One time. ONE TIME.

And I got a faceful of sherbert. I have learned my lesson.

[x-siryn.livejournal.com]

Well that's good, then.