Mark Blevis

Andrea and I were shocked when we recently received a particularly spicy and anonymous comment. The comment was posted by the not-so-creatively named “Concerned Parent” on an interview with a specific guest of our Just One More Book!! blog and podcast site–a site to which we dedicate personal time to promote literacy, children’s books and the children’s book community.

Here is the comment, with the name of the target removed.

As a parent, I am very concerned about the moral character of authors who make school visits. [Name deleted] is of extreme concern! He is currently involved in an adulterous relationship with a married woman, and has been lying to and deceiving his own wife, who is also his coauthor! I strongly object to having this type of person influence young children. I feel that schools and libraries have an obligation to check references of visiting authors, and to avoid inviting those, such as [Name deleted], who might be a bad influence on our children.

Wow!  Who knew children’s books could be so exciting?

If we take this comment at face value then there are millions of adults (among them divorced parents and parents that have at one time or another taken home a sticky-pad from their office) who should have no influence on children.  Even Rev. Martin Luther King was accused of adultery; yes, the same person who led the Civil Rights Movement that paved the way for the first ever African American President of the United States.  Clearly, Rev. King’s personal life is not the reason he is admired, nor is it the reason for his influence.  By the way, Barack Obama was just eight years old when Rev. King was assassinated.

Malicious in intent and execution

The point of “Concerned Parent” is not to change the process by which author visits are arranged with schools.  The comment is not intellectual or logical enough.  It’s simply malicious in intent and execution, an attempt to destroy a career and life because of personal views about objectionable conduct.   Perhaps “Concerned Parent” is herself, a jealous lover of [Name deleted].

Take issue with whomever you wish in your own space and with your own name.  If you’re not proud enough to take credit for the cybersassination in your own space, don’t be cowardly enough to anonymously plaster it on someone else’s.