Despite the recent firebombing of its Islington HQ, Gibson Square announced today that they intend to continue with publication of The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones. The book, concerning the life and times of the Prophet Muhammad’s first wife A’isha, was initially snapped up by Random House before they backed out following a storm of controversy, largely spun by University of Texas professor Denise Spellberg. who stoked fears that employees could be the victims of terrorist attacks. Figures including Salman Rushdie spoke out against such self-censorship, and Gibson Square acquired the book for the British and Commonwealth markets; the attack on Sunday completed Spellberg’s self-fulfilling prophecy, making the publisher’s fortitude all the more remarkable, and no doubt ensuring they’ll have a bestseller on their hands when it is released next month.
