Gustav may have shut down most of the Republican National Convention, but the Republicans have shut down a Party Favors book reading and signing. Nicole Sexton, co-author with ghostwriter Susan Johnston and the woman whose life has been fictionalized in the book's pages, has been asked to cancel her upcoming events in Minneapolis by one of the biggest players in the Republican party. This Senator Who Shall Remain Nameless (though if you put your spyglasses on, is also a character in the book) seems rather threatened by this "beach read," "chick-lit," work of fiction. If he's even bothered to read it, then the light that authors Sexton and Johnston shed on fundraising and campaign-related tactics must be more natural than fluorescent.

But, as Johnston details in a release sent today announcing the event's cancellation, Sexton no longer has any affiliation with the Republican party, is critical of both sides of the aisle, continually espouses the book's fictional status, and just held a similar signing event in Denver with the Democrats. "Apparently the GOP feels that the book is critical of GOP fundraising and campaign related tactics and therefore a book signing could be embarrassing to the party," Johnston wrote. "Why is the GOP so scared of a book signing? Clearly, they see this book as a threat."

Complete cancellation notice after the jump...

From: "Susan"
Date: September 3, 2008 4:27:17 PM PDT
To: Undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: GOP KILLS 'PARTY FAVORS' READING AT RNC

Well, it's finally happened. The GOP has officially shut us down. As some of you know, Nicole [Sexton], my co-author, has been fighting a very quiet, behind-the-scenes battle on behalf of PARTY FAVORS.

Nicole is personally taking a beating in D.C. and now, she's been "politely" asked to cancel the book signing/reading at The Barnes & Noble in MN during the Republican National Convention.

Apparently the GOP feels that the book is critical of GOP fundraising and campaign related tactics and therefore a book signing could be embarrassing to the Party.

Nicole doesn't even work for them anymore! She no longer has any affiliation with the Republican Senate and in fact, the book is critical of fundraising efforts on both sides of the aisle. She had a reading/signing in Denver but the Democrats didn't shut her down!

Maura Teitelbaum of Abrams Artists Agency issued this statement, "As a first time novelist, it is critical that Nicole make herself available whenever possible to market the book and reach reading audiences. Canceling this event is therefore an even more undue hardship than would otherwise be the case."

If we're just an innocent "beach-read" and "chick-lit novel" then why is the GOP so scared of a book signing??? Clearly, they see this book as a threat.

Please help us get the word out about PARTY FAVORS being shut down. Feel free to send this information to your media contacts or anyone you think can be helpful. Feel free to blog about it, post it or yell it from the mountaintops.

People who want more information about this can contact:

Maura Teitelbaum, Abrams Artists Agency
maura DOT teitelbaum AT abramsartny.com

or

Marina Ein, Ein Communications
marina AT eincomm DOT com

Thanks for your help.

Susan

--ANDREA WACHNER