British novelist scraps new book title over looming 'political correctness' row

When Barbara Taylor Bradford announced she was writing a prequel to A Woman of Substance, she promised her legions of fans she would finally tell them the backstory of one of her leading men. And so she will - with one rather large modification.

The title and cover of her new book have been scrapped, she has disclosed, after publishers raised concerns over the character’s name: Blackie.

The book, which was announced in a marketing drive in November, was originally going to be called Blackie and Emma, named for the protagonist of A Woman of Substance and her best friend.

The character of “Blackie” will now be known by his official christian name of “Shane” for the purposes of the cover, after concerns were raised over whether the word could be misconstrued....

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