The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

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Danish publisher eyes Jewel

27.08.08

A Danish publisher is in negotiations to buy Sherry Jones' novel about the child bride of Muhammad, which was dropped by Random House in America, according to the Guardian.

The Jewel of Medina was bought by Random House US for a reported advance of $100,000, but then dropped after the publisher was told by academics and security experts that publication was potentially more risky than Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses and the Danish publication of cartoons of Muhammad.

Now small Danish publisher Trykkefrihedsselskabets Library (Free Speech Library) is in negotiations with Jones's agent over publication of The Jewel of Medina in Denmark.

Co-owner Helle Merete Brix said that the fact that Random House was prepared to pay $100,000 (£54,191) for the book showed its quality, and that she was determined not to "bow to any censorship".

Last week, Serbian publisher BeoBook withdrew 1,000 copies of the book from shops across Serbia, following protests from an Islamic pressure group. BeoBook also apologised for publishing the novel.

 

Guardian

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