Jewel of Medina, Sherry Jone's historical novel about Aisha, wife of Muhammad, was killed by its publisher because of a warning from a crackpot professor who though "widespread violence" could break out, Salman Rushdie-style. Satanic Verses author Rushdie told the AP yesterday that this was basically bullshit: "I am very disappointed to hear that my publishers, Random House, have canceled another author's novel, apparently because of their concerns about possible Islamic reprisals." Jones will probably find another publisher due to all this hype and Random House will be so sorry. [AP via Galleycat]