‘American Dirt’ Publisher Cancels Author Tour After Threats

Flatiron Books, publisher of the controversial new novel American Dirt , has cancelled the remainder of author Jeanine Cummins’ book tour after what it called “specific threats to booksellers and the author.” This follows several individual event cancellations. Cummins received a hefty advance and a big promotional push for American Dirt , which follows a Mexican mother and son fleeing drug cartel violence. Oprah Winfrey picked it for her book club, and prominent authors showered it with praise. But critics have called the book inaccurate and full of harmful stereotypes, and questioned whether Cummins was the right person to tell that story. (Despite the controversy — or because of it — the book is selling well; it’s currently #1 on Amazon’s charts.) In a statement , Bob Miller, the president of Flatiron Books, said the publisher is proud to have published American Dirt , and was “therefore surprised by the anger that has emerged from members of the Latinx and publishing communities.”