From Book Publishers to the Media: The Left’s Crusade to End Debate
by Andrew KlavanA personal incident has given me a particular perspective on recent news about the media. Last Tuesday, I received word that the French release of my thriller novel Empire of Lies had been canceled by publisher Seuil Policiers. The editor who originally bought the book had left the French company, and the new editor, my agent says, feels that “she can not publish . . . because of the political and religious aspects of the story.” This, even though it’s in breach of a contract for which I’ve been paid in full.
Empire of Lies features a politically conservative Christian protagonist, Jason Harrow, who believes he has uncovered an Islamist terrorist plot being obscured by the leftist mainstream media. “Lies, lies, lies,” the emotionally troubled Harrow murmurs at his television set. “It’s all about what they don’t say.” It will come as no surprise that my friend Andrew Breitbart praised the book as the only thriller he’d ever read in which the mainstream media were the villains.
The book’s French cancellation is, I realize, a rather small cultural event. Yet it gives specific color to the recent revelations on the Daily Caller website that left-wing journalists conspired to suppress scandals that might harm Barack Obama and to the brouhaha over Breitbart’s online release of a video that resulted in a government worker’s momentarily losing her job. In both stories, one thing leaps out at me: everywhere, the Left favors fewer voices and less information, and conservatives favor more. Everywhere, the Left seeks to disappear its opposition, whereas the Right is willing to meet them head-on.
Take the e-mails that the Daily Caller obtained from the now-defunct lefty Web service Journolist. Never mind the personal or psychological implications of a radio producer who lovingly imagines Rush Limbaugh’s death or a law professor who doesn’t know that the FCC has no power to deprive Fox News of a license or a reporter who wants to smear Fred Barnes and other right-wing commentators as racist in order to distract the public from the hateful radicalism of Jeremiah Wright, then Obama’s pastor. The point is not these people’s animus or ignorance or wickedness. The point is that what they desired was not victory in open debate but silence—the silence of censorship, intimidation, or the grave.
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105 Comments
It is funny, if you point out to a lefty that the book 1984, the movie Brazil, as well as the nightmare stories from the history of the world from the 1930's to today more accurately portray their side of politics than the conservative side, they can't see it. I watched the clip you mentioned about Hugh Laurie and that frye guy doing the take off of It's a wonderful life based on rupert murdock on you tube. They are taking the side of government control of media access and they show that it would make things better than the freedom provided by more access to a free media. They do not even notice how totalitarian leaning their views are. It is a real shame because Hugh Laurie is pretty good on House. Also, Shariah has far more in common with their view of the world than that of the american conservatives and yet they still demonize conservatives. Radical Islam is exactly what they imagine American christians to be but Radical Islam is a real thing and their view of christians comes from some sort of fever dream. They essentially defend Radical Islam from any attack, not realizing that they are siding with the very thing they say they hate. It is almost insane in its silliness.
…the new editor, my agent says, feels that “she can not publish . . . because of the political and religious aspects of the story
Hmm…hard to believe the country that created expressions like Avant-garde and épater le bourgeois would have a problem with the political and religious aspects of any story.
The left knows that what they are peddling does not sell in the marketplace of ideas. They know this and this is their fear.
There are too many "survivors" from Korea, China, Vietnam, Eastern Eruope / old Soviet Union and Cuba that know what the left's ideas mean when they are put into practice. People know.
That is something I did notice, Andrew. If a lefty doesn't like something a conservative is saying, nine times out of ten they'll express desire for silencing whatever outlet it comes from. Lefties don't like Rush Limbaugh and conservative talk radio? Topple a radio tower! Unplug his hateful mic! Lefties angry at Glenn Beck and Fox News? Get them regulated! Shut them down! Conservative blogs having influence over news? Shut THEM down, too!!
On a side note, I actually just received my copy of Empire of Lies in the mail yesterday. Once I'm done my assigned reading I'll get right to it.
well, now that THEY have control they want no criticism…
This has always been the M.O of the Progressive movement, and socialism in general. They know that getting people to vote against their own interests requires, as Steely Dan once said, 'Pretzel Logic'. Meaning that individual pursuit of happiness is somehow NOT in your best interests- the interests of the State, of course.
So the deception is all inclusive. It requires stunning displays of disingenuous (see Howling Howie Dean on Chris Matthew's show for a prime example) actions and speech- the New Black Panther story is 'made up' by the 'right wing', and so on. That it defies logic is beyond explanation.
So, the State Controlled Media two-step will continue. They are FAR too invested in this fiction to turn back now…
I always enjoy the clip in "The advetures of Baron Munchousen", were the war hero is executed, because he sets up too high a standard and does not aspire to mediocraty.
I like to read science fiction / fantasy for my fun reading. I stoped reading sf because of all that lefty crap being put out, until I discovered Baen Books. They have some extreme right, libertarian and communist writers. Give it a try, if you are sick of politically correct crap. Look up their free library for some free e-books. End of unpaid advertisement
<a href="http://www.baen.com” target=”_blank”>www.baen.com
Publish your books yourselves. Sell it yourselves on the internet. You need the book, a copy editor, a designer, a printer and a website. the actual out-lay is not as much as one would think. Then put out some press releases. Want to publish in France? Have it translated and get a French language website. You don't need publishing companies any more. Who wants to give them part of the profit anyhow?
That really sucks, Andrew. Publishing is just as totalitarian as the Hollywood machine. I'm addicted to reading so that stinks big time.
On a brighter note, I've been trying to gather your audio back list and current releases for my husband's mega-commutes. The back list is difficult to find, but not impossible.
Best of luck — I hope a little sunlight can make them change their tune.
C'mon, is anybody really surprised the French are acting cowardly??
Andrew,
Your title is good, but it elides "academia". Where do you think publishers and media figures learn their Leftism?
It's in the academic world that they learn how to frame the issues "correctly" and learn what counts — to use a favorite word of Obama's — as "legitimate" critique.
It's in academia they learn to adopt certain political stances in order to be known as clever and intellectual. It's there they learn the proper Shibboleths granting them access to the best venues in publishing, the arts, and the chattering classes.
Everything your friend says about the publishing industry — how it doesn't want certain views expressed — is true of the academic world, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. Not-so-coincidentally, it's through these departments that most students (even non majors) must pass at least once prior to graduation.
It's high time for a "Big Academia" site.
I hope your sharing this educates people who weren't aware of this sort of thing, but I have long believed there is quite a bit of left wing bias in publishing. Anne Coulter added an interesting suggestion to that in that she sees the industry as a means of funneling money to left wing celebrities through large book advances.
And the french have tied themselves up in more poltical correctness knots than they can sort out–to leftists, liberty means compliance with a limtited set of norms.
We must burn the books Montag … er..a… Kalvan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9n98SXNGl8&fe...
If I don't like something a leftie does or say, I ignore them. Why can't liberals do the same about stuff they don't like instead of trying to keep me from it.
Plus they are waiting for the Govt to fund them since they can't do it with ratings anymore and they won't have to worry about their show/newspaper/magazine shutting down.
Ya know, I think is going to kick up a fuss here, but after all that's the reason for hanging out here at the Big sites.
I don't really have a problem if groups in the US want to adhere to Shariah law.
As long as they understand and accept that it is nothing more than non-binding arbitration – which is already common – and the government is the final arbiter, let them do what they want.
I mean, if an Imam says something like cut off a hand, go to the police, have the Imam thrown in jail. But there are a lot of other rules in it that don't affect me or any one else. For example a mortgage. Islam forbids charging interest on a loan. So where as we take out 30 year mortgages with interest, they prefer loans for the full amount over 30 years. So what? Let them do it.
As long as they accept that the law is the final arbiter.
Thanks for the heads up. I'm not a huge SF fan, but I like UF quite a bit.
I think, especially with e-book prices being set higher due to the new "agency model" the publishers bullied through with booksellers, now is a good time for an upsurge in indy publishing. However, just like Hollywood smashed the indy film-making boom of the 90's, the big-dog publishers will do all in their power to conquer any competition. I keep hoping for the right combination of authors to go independent, maybe forming a small group publishing entity so they can compete with the big boys and keep the money for themselves.
ETA: your link doesn't work, but Baen is easy to find with Google.
It's a phony debate tactic. Avoid rational debate at all costs. Because they know they're toast.
the bailout is being considered at the highest levels- and will be hidden in an omnibus spending bill. So, yes, MSNBC and the NY Times and others will get their 'grants' eventually…
if there's Poul Andersen or Robert E Heinlein you'll know it's genuine…
Books on paper are still an important product and the best way for an author to establish a reputation and also to be "discovered" by walk-by. Covers are still one of the biggest enticements to trying out a new author.
Also, I've heard the big best-seller lists don't include e-book sales. I might be wrong, and that should definitely be changed if I'm not, but it's just another way the media supports it's corporate cronies.
Still, as I said above, I want to see an indy publishing wave. I love to read fiction, but it's gotten so obnoxious with all the pricing shenanigans from the publishers that I'm down to rereading my favorites at this point.
It may be a political decision, or it might have been a business decision. Either way, their decision. Which is exactly why I love the internet. It's our decision.
Now come on, they did take out some pirates. Ya' got to give them props for that.
Copied from browser: http://www.baen.com/
They sell their e-books from $4 to $6 each, or a whole month's run for $15. John Ringo writes his Paladin of Shadows Series there, if you don't like SF (seriously tough ex seal kicking ass and taking names).
They are e-publishing Anderson's Dominic Flandry books right now, plus some Heinlein.
Maybe you can sell it to France again and get paid twice.
(I realize that the number of possible French language markets is vanishingly small, but there must be more than one.)
thanks for the heads up…
A Paris editor has no 'political or religious' qualms about publishing the "Story of O" but sniffs her prissy nose in the air about "Empire of Lies"? Obviously the editor must have thought Klavan's title referred to her.
Digital publishing is so possible — anybody who want to do it badly enough can do it. there are plenty of freelancers out there to do the design and editing. Printing companies are eager for work, although it's difficult to find one in the US. The hard part is writing the book. The rest is relatively easy if you're willing to work. Indy publishing could do the same kind of damage to the big leftwing companies that FOX, talk radio and the internet has done to the MSM. Wouldn't that be nice to see!
I always want to say about Ringo… he's great and I like him and Princess of Swords has some pretty cogent commentary on Christian faith along with the pagan stuff and twisted sex… but do be cautious.
This shouldn't surprise anyone – it's a very basic belief for both the right and left…conservatives believe in the free market, including the free market of ideas, and to let competition decide, less regulation, including of intellectual properties (notice it's intellectual PROPERTY) and progressives believe in the collectivist – all for ONE – idea…fewer voices representing more people.
If you never read John Ringo, read this before you try his Paladin of Shadows series:
http://hradzka.livejournal.com/194753.html
"OH JOHN RINGO NO."
I don't really have a problem if groups in the US want to adhere to Shariah law.
…
As long as they accept that the law is the final arbiter.
Until they don't.
Countries like the UK and France have been gradually worn down by the incremental incorporation of Islam into their societies.
These countries now treat Islam with seriousness and respect that it does not deserve, considering that it's ultimate aim is to usurp the rule of western law.
Islam needs to be treated like communism, Nazism or other philosophies that that resulted in death and misery wherever they were implemented.
I honestly don't care if they set up little Shari'a law communities either. The big problem I have is when their own laws contradict our basic rights as outlined by the COTUS and they insist that it's their right. Honor killings, the outright abuse of women and little girls, the forced subjugation of followers, etc. Those are the things they need to give up no matter how codified they might be in their Koran and Hadith. I'm even willing to have the polygamy discussion so long as it's understood that the government only recognizes civil unions between two adults with marriage being left to separate religious groups and their interpretations. But it must be completely voluntary on the part of the practitioners.
The muslims themselves are fond of saying that there is no compulsion in faith. Let them practice what they preach.
As I've posted before, what makes these people so charismatic is that they're emotional adolescents in adult bodies. They have the emotional and mental acuity of fifteen year olds. That's not to say that they're not intelligent, it's just that they haven't matured — and aren't going to. It's COOL to be a Leftist, so they're Leftist. They haven't really thought about how life would be like for them in a Totalitarian State, under Sharia law or how their fellow artists fared in Stalinist Russia, Communist China or Castro's Cuba. They only know they want to be popular with the "in crowd" and right now the "in crowd" are Socialists. It's okay to be a cool Lefty because they have no skin in the game. Think about when you were fifteen, griping and grousing about your mother and father, rebelling, wearing clothes the parents disapproved of knowing all the while that if you got into REAL TROUBLE, Dad and Mom will come to your aid. That's them. The people to worry about aren't these arrested adolescents but rather the people pulling the strings. Like the publisher who won't let the "children" read books like "Empire of Lies" for fear the kids will suddenly grow up.
Eventually, Islam will demand that we also conform – just as after they take over a neighborhood, they try to intimidate females into dressing to their specs: scarfs, burkas, et cetera. Opening the door to their legal system is suicide to the rest of us and they know it. I don't think that there is any room here for Libertarian arguments.
"As I've posted before, what makes these people so charismatic is that they're emotional adolescents in adult bodies."
Interesting insight.
That's why I say as long as it's recognized that the law is the final arbiter.
I'm not suggesting we make any statutory concessions. But if Muslims want to go to a Mosque first, I have no problem with that. As long as its understood, if they can't find justice, they have another avenue to find justice.
They have a contract with Andrew, so he gets no decision at this point and they're willing to violate that contract which makes me doubt it's a "business" decision. Big publishers have become monolith corporations that do exactly what all the other entertainment industry does. Stifle speech. They support leftist politicians who make regulations that harm their competition. It's not free market anymore.
However, you're right, it's their decision regardless of how cynical it is. It's when they squeeze out everyone else and demand that they be shut down by the government (as Andrew referenced) that they get really scary. I want to see a healthy and growing independent publishing interest just as badly as I want to see Declaration Films succeed so the power brokers of entertainment will have less clout to throw around.
Agreed, all the violence is already against out laws, and I'm not suggesting that should be changed.
I'm a Catholic, and if wanted an annulment, I'd go to my pastor, not government. And I wouldn't want any one telling me I couldn't.
As long as its recognized that the law is the final arbiter, I don't see a problem with Muslims settling much of their problems the way they want.
As long as our law is the final arbiter.
I never said anything about agreeing to that. I said the law is the final arbiter. If they want to use non-binding arbitration because they prefer, it doesn't bother me.
When I was young and we had family issues, we didn't go to the police, we went o grandama. She kept the family in line.
If Muslims refuse to accept our law as the final rules, then call in the police, our rule of law is final. If they do, and decide things on their own, what's the problem?
This, even though it’s in breach of a contract for which I’ve been paid in full.
My opinion is if he's been paid in full, he's been paid in full. Might not like it, but that's the way life works.
I'm happy to see Mr. Klaven taking it so well. I'd want to start breaking things.
I looked up Baen and it's a very interesting site. I love the "webscriptions" idea. I'd been thinking that might be a good alternative to regular publishing actually. Selling a book in several increments to subscribers and then as a whole to everyone else. That way people can feel like they're getting in on the "ground floor".
I have heard of John Ringo — Instapundit references him occasionally — and I've heard he's not an easy read. I should probably give him a try, but I'll read his reviews first so I can go in with my eyes wide open.
That was hilarious. And seriously disturbing. But it sounds like the Paladin of Shadows series is different from his other stuff. Correct?
Nice to see that Ringo was so good natured and even linked to the review himself.
I'm reading the Honor Harrington series by David Weber over the past and next several months. I bought the books on Amazon for a very good price, but just made the connection to the publisher. Good to know that there is an awareness of this company out there than I did not have.
Wait, you mean the creation of the product is the hardest part of the equation? And everyone else is dependent on that creation for their checks? Go figure.
MyKu:
The streets of Paris
are lined with trees so Germans
can march in the shade.
I would say yes. His Princess of Wands has a Christian warrior using the power of God to do good. My favorite series of his is the "Through the Looking Glass", with a co-author of Travis Taylor.
Do his "Through the Looking Glass", with a co-author of Travis Taylor and his March series, both are "safe". Also, if you are familiar with Bolos, try his The Road to Damascus book.
I met him and was in a group that drove him from Houston to Austin and back, and he was a great guy.
Also, look at the link to the Free Library, which has (hundreds?) of free e-books. No sign in, no nothing.
PS, Ringo, if you are reading, I'll take a check for the free marketing
If you buy the latest book, it has a CD with the whole series in e-format (html, rtf, etc.) No PDF, the publisher hated the PDF format.
Read the Prime Palaver for how giving away the e-books increased sales.
I've read quite a few Baen books; I like quite a few of their authors. Though some of their books can be weird (SM Stirling!).
As to John Ringo, I've only read the novels he co-wrote with David Weber 'Empire of Man' (Prince Roger series) which I really like. Does anyone know if this is indicative of his own work?
Channel your inner Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. All things are possible.
I have the latest novel, Mission of Honor, via the Webscription site. Will have to pick up the hardcover just to get that CD to join my collection of previous CDs.
http://www.webscription.net/
AreaMan, you may not be familiar with this great old quote (a favorite of Buckley's):
"Everything changes … except the avant garde."
Paul Valéry
I think there is some barking at the wrong trees here. In France you can easily get as books whatever you want – from Mein Kampf to Stalin's love letters. The problem here looks like Klavan fell (so far) in a bad vortex. Seuil is a very large house, publishes anything, yet it happened that in this case some inner politics trumped the entity's larger, previous marketing designs – and at some expense, since Klavan was fully paid in a pay or play type of deal. I don't think that Klavan's novel is THAT incendiary as to make some cynical French publishers (oxymoron = publishers are par excellence cynical) burn his novel and exile him to Vorkuta.
Also, tell you what – Klavan's situation might be Sherrod's in reverse, and the French editor in cause a sort of Vilsack –
I wouldn't be surprise to hear from them soon "Andrew, come back, everything is forgotten, forgiven" – and hear about him featured somewhere in Paris at some bookstores, pretty wine & cheese y compris –
So, good luck -
Ayn Rand wrote an essay about compromise where she explained that in order to compromise, you have to agree on a basic premise. Otherwise, you don't have a compromise, you have one side surrendering incrementally.
The basic premise of Sharia law is that Islam is the rightful source of law, and that it is the supreme law. If you allow that, then you aren't compromising by letting them sort things out on their own within the framework of our current laws, you are surrendering the idea that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Practicioners of Sharia law have, and will continue to capitalize on that surrender, and increase the scope of Sharia that they practice. Eventually, it will become a force that will destroy the current law in whatever country it is practiced in.
Easy solution.
Boycott France. AND. Still boycott GE.
GE wants to engage in intellectual dishonesty? Later.
Long before Michael Savage called liberalism a mental illness I had some of the thoughts you bring up. I mean, they can deal with life the way other people do but in certain things, as you say, they have not matured. I think certain parts of their brains did not fully develop. Evidence and past experience seem to hold no sway over their ideas and their implementation. How do you explain that unless it stems from a lack of a certain type of reasoning skill.
Read his sci-fi, he does a good ode to Heinleins starship troopers with his Posleen war series and the ACS(armored combat suits). He fleshes out the mobile infantry somewhat. If you are squemish about excessive sex, and I mean excessive sex, then stay away from his espionage series about the former navy seal. There is some stuff in their that made me stop reading it. I don't mind sex, but this was a bit much for me. His sci-fi is still good though. "There Will Be Dragons" is a really good book and the follow ups are pretty good as well.
The left has always been the biggest proponents of censorship:
The attempt to censor comic books (1950's) was led by Senator Estes Kefauver (Democrat).
The attempt to censor the music industry (1980's) was led by Senator Al Gore (Democrat and tool for Tipper's PMRC).
The attempt to censor the video game industry (1990's) was led by Senator Joseph Lieberman (Democrat at the time).
The biggest mystery is how many artist still support these people after this, claiming that all censorship emanates from the right!?
Quite a change from when James Joyce could only publish Ulysees in France due to censorship in the UK and US where it was considered obscene. More like incomprehensible if you ask me.
You know Ed, much of what you said is a good point. Sharia in the context of religious teaching is not a bad thing. I have nothing but respect for religious freedom. But that is where it should end.
Unfortunately, what ends up happening is that, like many pointed out, that teaching begins to usurp the laws of the land. I cannot tell you how many news items there were in the European papers where an "honor killing" was given a pass based on "religious teachings." How is murder not murder? Yet, many fathers or brothers or uncles were given little more than a slap on the wrist for killing a female in their family.
That is the unintended consequence of allowing Sharia to gain a foothold at the judicial level which invariably happens. Sharia slowly flows out of the mosque and is taken seriously in the the local court and eventually makes it way into the court at large.
It's funny how most Western judiciaries have gone out of their way to make sure the legal system is and remains secular except for when it comes to allowing Sharia. I honestly don't get it.
I'm confused, Mr Klavan. How exactly is this NOT censorship?
Scary. BTW, I love Klavan on the Culture.
Somewhat. I think you should try the Looking Glass series for his "tamer" stuff? Like I said, I like the Paladin of Shadows, but there is a lot of "oh, no…" to that one.
S.M. Stirling's new series (not a Baen book) about vampires is a bit risque, but his series about the death of technology is real good. Try hiw website for some sample chapters.
As one can tell from my image (if they've seen the book covers), Weber is arguably my favorite relaxation fiction writer.
I like SM Stirlings books, I've read most of them (not the vampire ones) and think that he's a little different (maybe a lot different). Good idea, I'll hit the sample chapters and see how I go, if they are half as good as the Empire Of Man series (read them 3 times) I think I'll love them.
Thanks.
The Short Victorious War?
(Was initially thinking The Honor of the Queen but that looks like Mike Henke standing next to her and the image is rather small.)
I mind.
Its called incrementalism. Today it is "non-binding arbitration." Tomorrow, it IS the law.
If someone wants to live in an Islamic "community" let 'em move to Saudi Arabia or Iran.
Yep. They are the new covers. The old cover for Field of Dishonor was panned by many, called by some the Michael Jackson cover (which pissed off Jim Baen at least once
.
Honor of The Queen has her in an aircar.
"The muslims themselves are fond of saying that there is no compulsion in faith. Let them practice what they preach."
From Wiki: The word Islam is a verbal noun originating from the triliteral root s-l-m, and is derived from the Arabic verb Aslama, which means "to accept, surrender or submit."
They keep you from it because they don't want to hear it themselves. It's called cognitive dissonance which literally means perception discord. When we feel we know something as fact it hurts our brains to find contradictory information.
The good news is that cognitive dissonance has a pretty remarkable side effect. It causes us to swing back hard the other way when we see that we were wrong. Ex: You and I work together. When you first met me you thought I was an arrogant jerk. You didn't like me. But after some time working together you realize that I'm just shy. I'm actually an okay guy. You will like me MORE than you would if you had liked me when we first met. Conversely, if I made a great first impression but later you learned that I was a jerk, cognitive dissonance will cause you to dislike me even more than if I had been a jerk from the start.
A practical example might be Phelim McAleer who was an environmentalist that learned the truth about things and now hounds Al Gore all over the world.
I still have the paperbacks somewhere.
Michelle "Mike" Henke is one of my favorite characters that Weber hasn't killed off yet. O_O;;
(…and in the latest novel…. non-spoiler reaction: aaiiigh!! noooooooo…. not *redacted*)
There is a stark difference between binding and non-binding arbitration. The courts and police are binding arbitration.
But people use non-binding arbitration all the time anyway. As long as all parties involved realize and accept that final arbitration is our government court system, if they are able and want to solve issues with out bringing in the government, I don't see a problem.
And when they resort to the weird stuff like a woman's testimony only equals 1/4 of a male, then they go to the police and involve the courts.
And honor killings are murder and that is handled by the government judicial system, no question. If a recognized law is broken, by all means bring in the police.
I'm not advocating we turn over enforcement of civil system to Muslims. I'm saying when they have an issue that does not violate civil laws, and they want to go to an Imam for justice, fine.
And if they don't feel they've reached justice, then go to our civil courts for redress.
America has a long tradition of binding and non-binding arbitration. It's not going anywhere.
Any attempts to incremental it are illegal, and our existing civil laws should take care of it.
Look at it this way, several years ago my brother got an annulment. He didn't go to the government, he went to the Catholic Diocese. He went to the government for the divorce.
Basically what you are saying is don't change our legal system at all–which is fine with me.
Sharia should be nothing more than a lecture at morning prayer.
Do you think Americans should be able to practice bigamy or polygamy? Just asking?
Did I say I believed it? It's patently obvious they only say that to make us feel better about it. I do know what Islam means. But if they held themselves to that standard and didn't violate the basic rights of their followers and laws of this nation in the practice, let them make their own Shari'a communities. I understand that half of Shari'a would have to not be followed as written or interpreted, but they are free to prepare food how they like, wear burquas by choice, etc., so long as they realize their religious practice doesn't give them a trump to force non-muslims to comply in any way.
I think that would really be impossible for them.
Yes. When I got married, we went to the county clerk for a marriage license, but we followed Catholic law in order to be eligible for a Church wedding.
That included mandatory consoling (Pre-Cana), individual meetings with the priest, proof of Baptism, make she we were registered parishioners, things like that.
No one is going to tell me I can't do that because its religious.
Those are really tough ones for me. As a libertarian, if it doesn't harm me or anyone else, then I shouldn't have a problem with it.
But I do. And I have no solid arguments either way. I'm a firm believer in the nuclear family as the best way to raise families. But that's hardly a sufficient point in my opinion for banning them.
I've got a lot of libertarianism figured out, but when it starts getting into these kinds of areas, I don't know what to do.
What's your opinion? Is it really hurting anyone if every one freely agrees to associate in these manners?
All you need is to use Lulu, CreateSpace, Iuniverse, or any of the other ones to help you with your book, they can distribute it for you through Ingram and Baker & Taylor, or you can do that yourself too. You can create a cover yourself pretty cheaply, a book trailer yourself just by downloading Movie Maker, and if you're willing to spend lots of money, have one of those POD publishers do all the marketing for you.
Other than that, Mr. Klavan, you've got lots of name recognition, you could easily do like J.A. Konrath and sell tons of books by DIYing
I have three novels I've published that way, the latest one I did create my own cover and my own book trailer, I just don't have the money to promote it and market it the way I'd like.
Read a good novel called A Distant Crossing written 15 years ago. It had trouble with politically correct publishers, who doubted that a "monetary meltdown" could actually happen. Hhhmmmm, seems we are living it today. It sells on Amazon and Barnes and Noble the old fashion way…word of mouth.
Respectfully, I disagree. What you're allowing to be set up is the drip-drip-drip of water torture and time, just like the British and the French. If a sharia court allowed for a payment of 100 goats to avenge the death of a sister or daughter, that would be an outrage. Custom and culture would mean that the complaining party would never seek higher justice. This means you would have to police the sharia enclaves within society in order to not offend our current notion of justice. It's a non starter in my humble opinion.
What you just described our society already affords them.
Yeah, but what about residuals? Are residuals mentioned in that contract? Also, what about the completely reasonable expectation that he did not bring his art to that publisher to be buried in the ground. He has been damaged, and he must be made whole again. [imho]
I would not support going anywhere near as far as Britain. They're debating about actually vesting some Muslim courts with legal authority. That is a line I would go no where near.
The final arbiter must remain our judicial system.
All I can go by is what Mr. Klavan states.
If its a good book, I'm sure some other greedy capitalist will swoop in and buy.
France. Go figure..
On a good note, I just ordered it online and it's in my Kindle two minutes later. It's on deck to read after my current book is finished.
It's liberalism's bread and butter
It's a tough one to rationalize, but historically the nuclear family has had fewer unintended consequences than any other social configuration so maybe it should be held up as the "ideal."
Very well put. That would explain alot. The liberal brain has to be screaming at this point with all of those alternative opinions to their gospel.
That's pretty much my thinking too. I don't know where the original concept nuclear family comes from, but its pretty old. The Catholic Church has tried to using those principles. God is the father, the Church is the mother, and we're the children. So it dates back a long time.
And while I agree it does have a much better track record than other ideas, I can't say that justifies telling people, who freely want to associate in those manners, can't.
Of course I'm probably to the right of Attila the Hun when it comes to politics. I'm so far on the right, the GOP looks to be on the left to me.
My definition of the left is the supremacy of the state at the expense of the individual, so that means the right is the supremacy of the individual at the expense of the state. In my opinion far too many people who consider themselves republicans and/or conservatives are quite comfortable with an all powerful, controlling government, as long as they are in charge of it.
Let's calm down. This is, at best, a non-story. The editor who acquired Klavan's book left the company; the new editor—who was not as enthusiastic about it—decided not to go forward. The publisher honored it's contract, Klavan was paid in full and, I would imagine, can now take the mss and sell it another house. Happens all the time. As an author, you'd think Klavan would appreciate the honesty and the chance to have his book published by an editor who will market it enthusiastically. But it appears he would rather make some political hay of it. That's this choice.
But to try and connect this to the journo-list story is a stretch too far.
That sums it up just right…
it's there job to be critical. but it's ours to have solutions and fixes to the mess they make…
Libbyliblib: The thing is, there is likely an exclusivity clause in Klavan's contract with the publisher, so that Klavan can't shop the book around to another (French) publishing house for a certain period of time. Thus, Klavan loses out on royalties for the unpublished book and also getting his book read. (And writing is notoriously not an industry you go into for the money.)
Additionally, since Klavan writes that the publisher is in breach of their contract, why not take him at his word that there is something in his contract that guarantees that the publisher, er, publish the book? Probably, the end state will be that Klavan gets to shop his book around to other publishers. But he may have to go through legal hoops to get the exclusivity canceled, which eats up time and money.
"everywhere, the Left favors fewer voices and less information, and conservatives favor more."
Ever try discussing drug war failures with a Conservative? You would think you were discussing economics with a liberal.
I'm sick of statists whether they describe themselves as liberal or conservative.
Dljessup: You might want to read the complete sentence— deciding not to publish the book put the house "in breach of contract for which I was paid in full." That breach would probably render whatever exclusivity clause included in the contract null and void. Klavan has been made whole (no loss of royalties, given that the monies set out in the contract were an advance against them) and, one assumes (as it is usually the case), the mss reverts back to him without prejudice.
Just to chime in – Ringo's basically doing two styles of writing; his military sci-fi series -The Prince Roger stuff, the Posleen series about aliens invading the Earth in the near future (well, it's the past now, but it was the near future when he wrote it), a series set in the far future after technology shuts down, the Looking Glass series and a few others. The Paladin of Shadows line though is basically stuff that he wrote to get out of his system, never expecting to get read let alone published, and yet was and became somewhat popular.
If you're a Weber fan, he's a good read, as long as you avoid the Shadows. Oh, and if you try the Posleen stuff, you might want to skip everything after "When the Devil Dances." But if I know my interwebz, I wouldn't be surprised if Ringo pops up here to chime in himself.
Klavan reported that his agent gave a reason for the new editor's behavior, which supports his point of view and seems to contradict yours. This is what he wrote:
"The editor who originally bought the book had left the French company, and the new editor, my agent says, feels that “she can not publish . . . because of the political and religious aspects of the story.”"
I interpret that to mean either she does not want to risk her leftist credentials by publishing the book, or she objects to plots in which the bad guys are in the left wing press. It means further that she objects to publishing books that are not politically correct by her standards.
I do not consider this a non-story.
But I would not try to have your comment removed from here just because I disagree with it. That is the kind of behavior you are defending.
Ha Ha! I love it. A liberal criticizes a post on how liberals want everyone else to shut up by essentially telling him to shut up.
Don't "the debate is over" approach they used with global warming.
I am sort of locked into a weird "Groundhogs Day" in which the only fantasy I read are by Tolkien and Lewis over and over and over and over….
Good point. It's hopeless to expect the left to clean up its act, which makes it even more important that we on the right clean up our own.
Thanks for the tips. I'll check some more of his work out.
From your lips to God's ears, Mr. Ski. –JustLurkin
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