On the Publishing front this week:
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's memoirs were auctioned off for at least $7 million dollars.
I'm guessing Al won't be one of the names on the publisher's author advance-cut list.
Dan Brown is back in court again.
To even things out, we should make Scott Turow give tours of the Louvre.
An Ex-CIA agent is suing the federal government for messing with his book and his constitutional rights.
Freedom of speech, it's not just for everyone anymore.
Seriously, though, I'm sure Mr. Greenspan's memoirs will make (cough) fabulous reading, but what in God's name is an 80-year-old man going to do with seven million dollars? Can't everyone who wants to sue Dan get together and do a class action thing to get it over with? And has someone conveniently misplaced the Constitution again?
One final newsish note: Although sales of James Frey's books (we won't call them memoirs) still seem to be quite brisk, the author's faux past prompted his agent to dump him, and now his publisher has, too.
Any interesting news or news links in your corner of publishing? Post them in comments.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I just read on MJ Rose's blog about Douglas Preston being arrested in Italy. Apparently it was over a non-fiction book into an unsolved serial murder. His co-author is still under arrest. http://mjroseblog.typepad.com/buzz_balls_hype/
ReplyDeleteIs the truth more unbelievable than fiction? I guess we are finding that out.
ReplyDeleteNalini Singh wrote: I just read on MJ Rose's blog about Douglas Preston being arrested in Italy. Apparently it was over a non-fiction book into an unsolved serial murder.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link, Nalini, and Lord, what a mess.
Pixel Faerie wrote: Is the truth more unbelievable than fiction? I guess we are finding that out.
In Frey's case, it could be that the truth proves less marketable.
what's really sad about the whole Frey mess is that people are still buying it. they are buying more actively now that they know it's half BS... or more... than before. And that's pathetic.
ReplyDeleteConstitution...isn't that the paper that's being trampled under people's feet these days? Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteTess Gerritsen has an interesting column on backlists and refers to two other weblogs on the topic of work for hire and advances, discussing the idea of authors forgetting about royalties and accepting an upfront bulk cheque.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, I suspect people won't doubt the authenticity of Alan Greenspan's memoirs--assuming he doesn't hire Frey to ghostwrite them for him.
ReplyDeleteShiloh Walker wrote: they are buying more actively now that they know it's half BS... or more... than before. And that's pathetic.
ReplyDeleteUnhappily, scandal always sells.
Jordan wrote: Constitution...isn't that the paper that's being trampled under people's feet these days?
Sometimes I think they're using it on other parts of their bodies...
Jaye wrote: Tess Gerritsen has an interesting column on backlists and refers to two other weblogs on the topic of work for hire and advances, discussing the idea of authors forgetting about royalties and accepting an upfront bulk cheque.
Funny how people who don't actually do writer-for-hire work feel so qualified to discuss it, pass judgment on those of us who do and hand out advice on it (eye roll.)
Jean wrote: Somehow, I suspect people won't doubt the authenticity of Alan Greenspan's memoirs--assuming he doesn't hire Frey to ghostwrite them for him.
Now that would be a novel approach, excuse the pun. And Alan, if you need a ghost writer who doesn't mind skipping royalties and accepting a flat fee, I'm available.
I have no sympathy for the CIA slimebag. I would not want one of my relatives' lives endangered because he wanted to make a quick buck. It's simply frightening that he apparently still has a security clearance as a "contract intelligence analyst." Even trying to publish such a thing should have gotten his SCI jerked so fast his head would spin. BTW, there ARE no constitutional rights of free speech when it comes to classified material, just like one's right to bear arms doesn't mean I can lug a shotgun into a football game. Every right has a limit--for a reason. No restrictions on freedom of speech? Sure! Let's just give every psychotic despot on the planet all the information we have from all the studies we've done on the feasibility setting up a bioweapons lab, as well as any information on foreign labs and their actions and possible dispersal techniques! Oh, and while we're at it, let's give them the floor plans and security information for all of our nuclear weapons sites, too! Then we'll really be FREE!
ReplyDeleteI'm amused that Michael Baigent calls himself an historian. Perhaps he is bitter that his fiction didn't sell as well as Brown's.
I am a little baffled at Riverhead dropping Frey. I suspect it's because they wanted to offer a lot less (since fiction wouldn't sell as well as fact) and he wouldn't bend. I'm sure he could bring in a cool million on book #3 for them.
--Lydia
I saw this bumper sticker once and it said something like "Bill of Rights. Not available in all areas. Some exclusions apply."
ReplyDeleteI wanted it soooooooo bad.