A new genre: Sinners clutching book contracts

Chicago Tribune ^ | 05/23/2003 | Julia Keller

[cherry_bomb88]

Don't call them liars, thieves, rogues, scoundrels, scalawags, blackguard, cads or creeps.

Call them authors.

In what seems to be an inevitable development these days, former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair is writing a book to capitalize on his sudden fame — or infamy, if indeed the distinction still exists. The news about Blair's literary ambitions comes on the heels of the publication of "The Fabulist," Stephen Glass' fictional (wink-wink) account of how he fooled The New Republic and other publications with phony stories.

[cherry_bomb88]

"Something's wrong with the world today...."

[cherry_bomb88]

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The entire article is an interesting read. Show's ya' what's wrong with our world...."have a scandal or tragedy, sell a book, become rich"

[aiquile]

They've already messed up the reputation of journalists.
Now they're going after authors?!?
What's next?!?

[Russell Scott]

There will always be a market for books written by lairs for liars. Just look at Mao's little red book, the Communist Manifesto, the UN Charter, and of course, every book ever written by Sid, Mike Moore, and Hillary.

[cherry_bomb88]

educators....oh wait...they are liberals...they have no reputations!!!!

(my apologies for the stereo type to the minority of you who happen to be conservative educators)

[cherry_bomb88]

Yes, but what bothers me is they put them in the "non fiction" section....they really should be in "fantasy"

[cherry_bomb88]

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Thought you guys might like a *piece of the action* LOL

[MeekOneGOP]

What a world we live in, huh ??

Along with Blair and Glass, Michael Finkel, who folded a fictional character into a non-fiction story he wrote for The New York Times Magazine, scored a reported $300,000 advance for his forthcoming book, "True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa," that describes his fall from journalistic grace. Bill Clinton's memoirs — which, one assumes, will contain his version of the sexual indiscretions that undermined his presidency — were snapped up for an advance that topped $10 million. Clinton's partner in those indiscretions, Monica Lewinsky, published her account, "Monica's Story," in 1999.

Such books seem to revel in their authors' surpassing badness, in an unashamed — indeed, almost gleeful — recitation of sins: "I tear at my hair, claw at my skin, start biting myself," writes James Frey in "A Million Little Pieces" (2003), a new memoir about his drug addiction that is being ecstatically reviewed. "I look at my clothes and my clothes are covered with a colorful mixture of spit, snot, urine, vomit and blood."

The public, presumably, goes tsk-tsk— and then turns the page for more.

Perhaps that's why the expelled Glenbrook North High School seniors involved in a hazing incident earlier this month were asked by school officials to sign a pledge if they want to graduate with their class. Among the stipulations: No book or movie deals.

In the current climate, it seems like a wise and prescient prohibition.

"Just look at the culture we live in — there's a fortune to be made in turning one's sins around into an egregious profit machine," laments Lawrence Cunningham, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame.

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[Grampa Dave]

"When a reputable newspaper lies, it poisons the community. Every other newspaper story becomes suspect. Anyone stung by a newspaper story feels emboldened to call it a lie. Facts are not only impugned but made impotent. . . . The lie--the fabricated event, the made-up quote, the fictitious source--is the nightmare of any respected newsroom. It is intolerable not only because it discredits publications but because it debases communication, and democracy."

NY Slimes Editorial, The New York Slimes - April 17, 1981

New York Slimes editorial, when the Washington Compost didn't check the sources re the Pulitzer Scam of reporter Janet Cooke, a female Jayson Blair.

[cherry_bomb88]

Honesty & Integrity are no longer consider values to have, rather they make you *square* and not with it...after all, what's one little *white* lie?

[cherry_bomb88]

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, eh?

[MeekOneGOP]

" Honesty & Integrity are no longer consider values to have, rather they make you *square* and not with it...after all, what's one little *white* lie? "

hehe! I'm sure that is the way the LIBS see it !:

http://rosecity.net/al_gore/head_up_ass.jpg

[Only1choice____Freedom]

They may be getting contracts, but selling books is another thing.

[cherry_bomb88]

Well someone is buying them. Maybe it's Bin Laden ;o)

[sultan88]

Bump for later read