Thread by @JonahBlank

Why should we care whether #JeanineCummins' publisher is being honest about its reason for cancelling her book-tour?

Because many authors face the real risk of injury or death-- not merely embarrassment. And their risk rises whenever a publisher cries "wolf." For example...

https://twitter.com/JonahBlank/status/1222690902377844736

.@SalmanRushdie is the most famous author to face death-threats for his writing-- but there are far too many others.

@RanaAyyub, for example. Here's her story: pen-international.org/news/india-vil…

The list is long-- and very few of these authors have ever appeared on @Oprah.

So...

...So, when the publisher of "American Dirt" claims that it cancelled a book-tour due to safety (rather than, say, embarrassment), it has an obligation to back that claim up.

Were there truly safety concerns-- ones more serious than those faced by touring authors like Rushdie?

...By trying to portray #AmericanDirt as a case of censorship, or even of author safety, the #publishing house is placing many other writers at risk:
-Criticism ≠ censorship.
-Many authors face real threats (I certainly have).
-Crying "wolf" puts ALL of us in jeopardy.

Last point on #AmericanDirt's publisher using "safety" as the rationale for cancelling a book-tour:
-If there is a serious safety concern, the publisher of such a high-profile book can afford to provide security.
-That's not the case for most authors who are *genuinely* at risk.