Edith Blais Steps Back From Media Amidst Royalties Debate

Author Édith Blais, known for her gripping memoir Le Sablier (The Sandglass) detailing her 450-day captivity by jihadist forces in the Sahara Desert, has announced a pause from media appearances. This decision comes after facing criticism following a podcast interview where she discussed her author royalties.

The Controversy

Blais recently participated in a podcast where she revealed that Le Sablier had sold over 100,000 copies. When asked about her earnings per copy, she stated she received approximately $3. This disclosure sparked a wave of negative reactions, with some accusing her of writing the book solely for financial gain.

“And just like that… I’m suddenly perceived as ‘the girl who wrote a book to make a quick buck,’” Blais wrote in a lengthy Facebook post addressing the situation. She expressed her sadness and frustration over the mischaracterization of her motives.

A Commitment to Giving Back

Blais, who recently released a second book, Portée par le vent: leçons de captivité et de liberté (Carried by the Wind: Lessons from Captivity and Freedom), clarified that she donated nearly half of her royalties to causes close to her heart. She chose not to detail the specific charities, but emphasized her commitment to using her platform for good.

“I won’t name all the things people say about what I’ve been through and my appearance. I try to take it all lightly, as best I can. I don’t know why this latest blow hurt so much… maybe because I think, ‘if they only knew…’” she continued. Blais dramatically escaped from the jihadist camp in Burkina Faso on March 13, 2020.

More Than Just Money

Blais vehemently denied writing Le Sablier for financial reasons. “No, I didn’t write The Sandglass to make money, far from it. I’m a simple girl, living in a modest apartment with my partner and daughter,” she stated. Her story is a testament to resilience and the human spirit, and her book offers a powerful account of survival and freedom.

The Facebook post has garnered over 1700 shares and hundreds of comments, demonstrating the widespread interest in Blais’s story and the public’s reaction to the controversy.

For further insight into the challenges faced by hostages and the psychological impact of captivity, consider exploring resources from Hostage Aid, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting hostages and their families.

You can also learn more about the geopolitical context of the Sahel region, where Blais was held captive, through reports from The Council on Foreign Relations.