For those who have witnessed the contentious debate between a certain paranoid staff member and Jonathan Miles, author of the hot new novel Dear American Airlines, you'll be familiar with our blogger's accusations and the author's claim of innocence. The most recent allegations cast against the author involve his publicity photo, at left. Click on the photo to enlarge it and you will find that he's sitting on a Leflore County, Mississippi license plate — a gesture our staffer found to be a subtle yet devastating slight. Mr. Miles, ever the gentleman, sent us this rebuttal:
Dear Mr. Staff:
Yours is the first (and, I trust, the last) bit of correspondence, related to the book, to include the phrase "there between your legs." But let me allay your insecurities by stating that I know of few places better to happily rest one's rump — aside from my beloved former barstool at the City Grocery bar in Oxford — than Leflore County, Mississippi. So trust me when I say I meant no disrespect by situating my bottom thereon. Just the opposite. This is in fact how I show my love to my children — I sit on them. I look forward to seeing you in Greenwood on June 3rd, as does my misunderstood ass.
Jonny
P.S. Yes, audio cassette. And eight-track, too, of course — read by Charles Grodin, natch. In fact, one online bookseller is suggesting the eight-track of Peter Frampton's album "Frampton Comes Alive" as "Better Together" with Dear American Airlines. I couldn't agree more.
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So there you have it. Here's hoping we can put this nastiness behind us and all just enjoy Mr. Miles' fine book. Nevertheless, we're taking necessary precautions to protect the author against protesters when he visits Greenwood and Turnrow on Tuesday, June 3. The event will also feature a musical performance by Claire Holley, a talented singer-songwriter, who has been invited to lend an atmosphere of peace and tranquility to the proceedings.
Read the exciting conclusion here.
