 |
 Schadenfreude  |
This is the New York Times Schadenfreude Ping List. Freepmail me to be added or dropped.
Posted on 05/24/2003 12:43:14 AM PDT by kattracks
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Where is the literary feeding frenzy? Book publishers have yet to besiege Jayson Blair with the million-dollar offers his agent predicted after the ex-reporter's plagiarised and falsified stories bloodied the New York Times.
One publisher said she wouldn't touch Blair's story with a 10-foot pole. Another said she'd be a sucker to pay $1 million for a book by Blair.
But the literary world was intrigued about the idea of someone publishing something by the disgraced journalist who left the Times this month. Most agreed Blair will likely get some kind of deal for a novel, a made-for-TV movie or an expose about the New York Times Co. flagship newspaper.
"Not from me!" said Judith Regan, when asked if she was about to enter the bidding war for a Blair tome. "There's a sucker born every minute!"
The owner of Regan Books, which just published Michael Moore's "Stupid White Men...and Other Sorry Excuses For The State of the Nation," added. "Of course, it would depend on what he does, he obviously knows how to write fiction, but he doesn't have a lot of credibility."
But Cedric Crocker, vice president publisher for Jossey-Bass Business, a unit of J.W. Wiley & Sons, said there would be a big human interest level in the scandal.
"There are lots of interesting elements to his particular story, his race is one," Crocker said of the black reporter.
But he said that Blair's "window of opportunity" to cash in on the scandal was narrow.
"It's almost the instant book market where it has to be out so quickly while it's still in the media," he added.
QUESTIONABLE ETHICS
In his only interview since quitting the Times, Blair told the New York Observer he resented being compared with Stephen Glass, fired five years ago by The New Republic magazine for making up much of what he wrote there.
Glass just published a novel, "The Fabulist" about a journalist with questionable ethics. The publisher, Simon & Schuster, declined comment on whether it was interested in Blair.
Joan O'Neil, vice president publisher at J.W. Wiley, which recently published "Martha Inc." about the rise of homestyle maven Martha Stewart, shied away from Blair.
"He may find a publisher who wants to publish his story. Personally that's not one I'd be interested in."
"There are people looking for stories with publicity and his story has publicity and I'm sure he's got a lot more to say and tell," said O'Neill.
Blair's literary agent David Vigliano, did not respond to queries from Reuters, but he has been quoted as saying he believes Blair can command $1 million.
"I doubt that," said one publishing expert, who requested anonymity. "In most of the country, what happens at the New York Times is of absolutely no interest.
"He will be lucky to get paid something in the upper five- or lower six-figures," the source said.
"LOVABLE SCOUNDREL"
He added a small right-wing publisher could be interested for political reasons, to denigrate the liberal-leaning Times. But he said major publishers might shy away from offending the Times on whom they depend for reviews and advertising.
Bennett Johnson of Third World Press, which specialises in minority writers, was blunt: "We don't pay an advance and I can't imagine him working without an advance. Anyway, I am not sure anyone would have that kind of money."
However, Bob Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University, said in 21st Century America, there was no telling who might profit from their 15 minutes of fame.
"This is a fascinating story of an anti-hero undermining a big American institution. It's a rip-roaring tale of the young century."
Thompson noted that Blair was "a handsome guy, a lovable scoundrel and in an era where the Jerry Springer show can become a phenomenon then why not?"
This seems appropriate.
On the other hand...would you want to be responsible for fact-checking that joker?
There must be, look at the big bucks they're paying Blewmenthall and the clintons for their works of fiction.
|
Schadenfreude |
I wonder if that's a reference to Regnery Publishing.
"YES SIR MR RAINES, I'LL GET RIGHT ON IT!!!"
Who needs another fiction writer when there is Stephen King and Dean Koontz doing the job quite well already?
"The major publishers may shy away from offending the Times on whom they depend for reviews and advertising."
The NY city elites all scratch each other's backs and band together when the shi-ites hit the fan. It's forever about money...... all the rest is beanbag.
Leni
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.