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Questionable language. Ethically challenged politicos. Adult situations. Good enough for the floor of the U.S. Senate—too hot for print.
Plus Communications in St. Louis Missouri has given the heave-ho to the new Contemporary Press novel, G.O.P. D.O.A. by author/publisher Jay Brida, after its first run, due to objections from the company's officers over what a spokesman said was its 'language,' which would cause their large roster of religious clients to pull lucrative accounts.
The plot of the controversial book revolves around political blackmail, punk rock, sexual hypocrisy and a private investigation into the murder of a transvestite on the eve of the Republican National Convention in New York City. It pokes fun at the buttoned-up mores of the Grand Old Party—not to mention the Darwinian world of urban politics—while embracing the chaos, romance, and skewed tolerance that makes New York the greatest city in the world.
"Compared with Fahrenheit 9/11 it's practically a steamy all-tongue French kiss to the Republicans. It gives them, or at least some of them, the actual humanity they obviously crave on some basic level," Brida said. He conceded that while the language—and subject matter—can be a little rough if you've never watched HBO, listened to the Stones, or enjoyed the Starr Report, he thinks that the company went overboard in rejecting future business from CP.
"It's funny, when they solicited our business at the BEA in Chicago they didn't seem to mind our 'Fuck Literature' bookmarks. But again, if they'd rather print anti-scientific fantasies like the 'Family Creation Evolution' catalog—a real title of theirs—and reject irreverent, intelligent pulp fiction, that's their right. I just happen to think Jesus is on our side. It seems to me he always liked hanging out with the sinners more."
The Now-Limited Edition First Printing of G.O.P. D.O.A. is currently available at St. Mark's BookShop in NYC, discerning independent bookstores nationwide, Powells.com, amazon.com, Barnes & Noble Superstores and at contemporarypress.com.
Brooklyn-based Contemporary Press believes strongly that plot carries the day and that a woman can pick up the tab. Check out the backlist titles that have helped create the singularly irreverent, pulpy voice that smart, modern readers now enjoy; including the indestructible, intergalactic cool of Johnny Astronaut by Rory Carmichael; the go-riot-grrrl, knee-bending caper Down Girl by Jess Dukes; and Mike Segretto's scabrous trailer park noir Dead Dog.
CP is distributed by Publishers Group West.
"For people who like to drink while they read." — GQ (Dec. 2003).
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