Author Jessica Verday walks away from Publishing Bigots
Thanks to author Rick R. Reed (a GLBT & Horror author from my own hometown) I came across this tonight, and I had to share. It seems New York Times bestselling author Jessica Verday was told the short story she submitted for the WICKED PRETTY THINGS anthology was "not acceptable" to the publishers (US: Running Press, UK: Constable & Robinson) because it involved two young males in a romantic relationship. Her response? Read her blog by following the link bellow...
http://jessicaverday.blogspot.com/2011/03/being-gay-is-okay.html
While I am violently opposed to bigotry in any form - racism, homophobia, sexism, etc. - I also view this as a direct example of why the old school publishing industry needs to simply die. Once again we see how business-minded mangement drones who care for nothing more than financial returns are allowed to wield control over artists. It's terrible that Verday was put in a position that she even had to choose her integrity over a paycheck.
Regardless, I believe Ms. Verday should be supported and appreciated for the stance she took. As far as I'm concerned, this makes her a publishing hero.
