I caught this nugget at UFL, which they nabbed from Boing Boing (thank you both for posting this!).

There's been a certain anonomity to writers. Yes, there are many popular authors that people can pick out of a crowd but were talking about less then a dozen faces to the average person. For the most part a writer is an invisible force behind their work. They can enjoy trips to the grocery store without getting pummeled be adoring fans and tabliod hacks looking for their next meal in the writer's misteps.

But according to the post, Random House is asking its Young Adult authors to sign a clause allowing the publoshing house to strip the author of their advance and cancel their book if said author were to act in a manner not becoming of the quality of people Random House chooses to employee.

Mind you, I can understand their position seeing how the YA market is a ripe field and many kids spend millions of dollars to nab the latest Harry Potter or Twilight or so many other popular books with a younger crowd as its perscribed audience. And with the extent of exploitation and abuse of children hogging up air time on every major news network, you know that we have a national crisis flooding our great country.

I can see why RH would want to cover their tracks if one of their authors were to get caught in a child porn ring or as part owner of a pre-teen slave labor operation. It would be damaging to the company and bruise the image set forth. Companies already have general employment clauses such as that for their hourly/ salary employees. Any conduct unbecoming of a companies prime mission statement and general atmosphere can lead towards immediate termination. I suppose it was only a matter of time before the authors were hit with the same burden of responsiblity.

But how far are they going to push this? If an author were to get caught having one-too many at a party and stumble out into a crowd, will that bring down the wrath of RH. Where do they draw the line? I can see if there's a public outcry that would damage business. I can see if some event occured that caused a backlash. They'd have every right. BUt what if the execs decide that an author in question isn't performing up to their standards or their antics might be misinterpreted. Will they cancel a potential bread winner "just in case"?

Time will only tell if this was a knee-jerk reaction or a slippery slope about to blow up in the face of the writing community.

Sidenote: I'd forgotten about this. It could have addded fuel to the fire.