Techotic

Random House (the biggest publisher in the world) is asking quite a few of its authors to sign contracts with clauses that would cancel their work and book deals if they are caught doing things that damages their reputation among the little ones.

An email arrives from the Society of Author’s Children’s Writers And Illustrators Group. Apparently, a well-established, enormous publishing house has decided to insert the following clause into its standard contract for children’s books: “If you act or behave in a way which damages your reputation as a person suitable to work with or be associated with children, and consequently the market for or value of the work is seriously diminished, and we may (at our option) take any of the following actions: Delay publication / Renegotiate advance / Terminate the agreement.”

Years ago I would say this was unnecessary, but with the latest antics by adults these days I think its a noble step. After all is it appropriate for kids to be reading books by a woman or man who was cheating on their spouse, or hoping out of bed with the same sex (and the kids know about this)?

You be the judge.

[via boinboing]