Smart Bitches Trashy Books | All of the romance, none of the bullshit.

The Jewel of Medina is on sale in bookstores today, as Beaufort Books moved up the on sale date following attacks on the UK publisher. Media Bistro sat with author Sherry Jones to get her perspective on the eve of (finally) publication. Ron Hogan, Captain of the Great Ship KickAss, writes:

The problem (as we see it) stems from the flagrant mischaracterization of the novel by Islamic studies professor Denise Spellberg, whom Ballantine Books had approached hoping for a blurb, as “soft core pornography” and anti-Muslim propaganda; Spellberg’s zealous efforts to alert Muslims to the book’s impending publication were particularly effective in giving the public a distorted impression of its contents. And we do mean distorted: Now that we’ve read the novel for ourselves, and seen precisely two paragraphs that might be construed as sexually explicit (and that’s being extremely generous to one of them), Jones deserves a public apology from Spellberg for her public misrepresentations.

So far no word from professor Spellberg. But, according to the image posted by Ron, the book is already a bestseller in Serbia after it was re-released.

(Thanks to Rebecca for the link). 

Given the time difference this might have already happened, but Australia’s ABC will feature a program (Sorry - programme?) on 6 October at 10am with Ramona Koval looking at how romance novels have changed since the first world war:

We delve into the world of square jaws and ripped bodices and ask how romance writing has changed over the years. How different are romance titles of the 21st century from those published during the First World War for instance?

BZZZZT! Personal Foul! Five yard penalty for use of “ripped bodice!”

But I’ll be curious to hear it - so tune in Aussies, and let me know how it is? I mean, it’s not like WWI romances and 21st century romances are even nearly the same. It’s like saying New Zealand and Australia are the same.

[Thanks to Wendy Palmer for the link!]

CNN’s review via EW.com loved it. I’m so happy - and I so want to see it.

Best quote:

But one of “Nick & Norah’s” most radical accomplishments is to incorporate a population of interesting, creative, cute gay guys who lead fulfilled lives that have nothing to do with being any straight person’s colorful sidekick. (It’s a stunning feat, really, tossed off with ease by director Peter Sollett and screenwriter Lorene Scafaria, working from the novel by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.)

Another achievement is granting Norah a Jewish identity that’s as much an unremarkable, unshticky part of who she is as the fact that she’s cool, she loves rock, and she doesn’t drink.

Commence fist pumping. 

Oh, the email inbox, it overfloweth with various things that are worth your inspection. Whee!

A graphic novel about women daring to dress as men and infiltrating male-only groups—based on legend, poems, letters and true stories?! Holy comic of awesome, Batgirl! (Thanks to Linsey Schmidt for the link.)

If you were wondering if your recent erotic romance might be considered for the Nobel in literature, and you’re an American writer, you’re shit out of luck. Why?

Longmire’s romance covers are undeniable works of art. And so are some of Jen’s versions, under the pen name Avril Honeycutt.

Gangplanks and gangbangs? Ow.

[Thanks to Iasmin for the link]