The Bookseller.com

5th July 2009

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Sherry Jones is a Frankfurt no-show

08.10.08 Catherine Neilan

Sherry Jones, author of the controversial book The Jewel of Medina, has pulled out of this year's Frankfurt Book Fair.

Jones' US publisher Beaufort Books Eric Kampmann said the decision to bring US publication forward nine days from its original date to Monday (6th October) meant that it "made more sense" to keep her in the US, where she could promote the novel through media interviews and nationwide signings.

Prior to the fire-bombing of UK publisher Gibson Square offices 10 days ago, her UK publisher Martin Rynja had said she would be attending the fair to kick off her Europe-wide tour. The original plan had been to launch the book simultaneously in the US, UK and Germany during the Frankfurt Book Fair. However, publication in the UK has since been placed in "suspended animation" while Rnyja takes advice on "the best foot forward".

Kampmann, who said he had not spoken directly with anyone from Gibson Square, said the decision was not related to the attack. He said: "This is nothing to do with threats or fear, it is simply because of the acceleration of publication."

"We want Sherry here to promote her book, not in Germany talking about terrorism," he added. "No person can articulate better than her why the book was written, what it is about and why people should read it."

Meanwhile, the Gibson Square offices in Lonsdale Square remain boarded-up, and the office remains closed.

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