The small penis rule is an informal strategy used by authors to evade libel lawsuits. It was described in a New York Times article in 1998:
"For a fictional portrait to be actionable, it must be so accurate that a reader of the book would have no problem linking the two," said Mr. Friedman. Thus, he continued, libel lawyers have what is known as "the small penis rule". One way authors can protect themselves from libel suits is to say that a character has a small penis, Mr. Friedman said. "Now no male is going to come forward and say, 'That character with a very small penis, that's me!' "
The small penis rule was referenced in a 2006 dispute between Michael Crowley and Michael Crichton. Crowley alleged that after he wrote an unflattering review of Crichton's novel State of Fear, Crichton included a character named "Mick Crowley" in the novel Next. The character is a child rapist, described as being a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and Yale graduate with a small penis.
The Small Penis Rule - stranger than fiction...
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Re: The Small Penis Rule - stranger than fiction...
Carc, your wheelhouse I believe
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Re: The Small Penis Rule - stranger than fiction...
I've got no problems in the 'small penis' area. Although in my exes first novel she did describe the miniature-dachshund I had at the time, and that pissed me off immensely.
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Re: The Small Penis Rule - stranger than fiction...
Carc time to front up old chum. Drop trou and let's err be avin yooo
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Re: The Small Penis Rule - stranger than fiction...
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Re: The Small Penis Rule - stranger than fiction...
carcinogen wrote:I've got no problems in the 'small penis' area. Although in my exes first novel she did describe the miniature-dachshund I had at the time, and that pissed me off immensely.
The old classic Billy Connolly joke.
How does a Dachshund with an erection get up the stairs ?
6uild 6ack 6etter .
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Re: The Small Penis Rule - stranger than fiction...
AlcoholBrazil wrote:How does a Dachshund with an erection get up the stairs ?
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POTY 2023 & 2022 finalist
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“Treat me right
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POTY 2023 & 2022 finalist
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I'm still a good man's daughter
Let me in if I break
And be quiet if I shatter”