Epitaphs

“Epitaphs” will appear in the Spring at Word Riot.

The Jewel of Medina

I just read the following story about a novel pulled from Random House, The Jewel of Medina. I don’t know anything about the author, but it’s really ridiculous that a publisher would bend to such pressures. They cite safety concerns for the author and those distributing as their main reason for not publishing the book, which is understandable, but even so, if we allow every group offended by a book or movie or cartoon to determine what we see, where will it end? South Park actually argues this point much more eloquently in their “Cartoon Wars” two-part episode, so go see that.

But, this latest controversy got me thinking about my book, which is about the fall of a dictatorship in a fear-driven country, Qarash, which is inspired by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. Although the book isn’t principally concerned with religious zealotry, there is a group, The Blanks, who represent them in some ways. And, in the next book, tentatively titled “Ashkareve,” they play a greater role. Ah, but no worries–it’s only a fantasy novel.

Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C. Clarke died yesterday. Many knew him from 2001 A Space Odyssey. Childhood’s End remains one of my favorite science-fiction books. So, go read it.