Amanda Knox’s grandmother Elisabeth Huff tells the Telegraph that approaches for book representation and deals began almost immediately: “I had an insane man come to me yesterday to talk to me about book deals. What an insane idea. That is totally crazy, the girl was not even home yet, we didn’t know if she was even going to get out of there. It was after the verdict. He knocked on the door and wanted to discuss book deals and media deals.” For her part, she believes it would be “a good idea” to share some of any potential profit with […]
Proposals/auctions
Briefs: Celebrities and Their Ghostwriters; Stieg Larsson’s Partner; and More
For some reason the NYT thinks it’s news that celebrities use ghostwriters, but with the Kardashian sisters set to release a novel they “wrote” after Snooki’s ghostwritten novel hit the bestseller lists earlier this year, there’s the news peg for you. It’s also interesting that Atria’s Judith Curr traces the so-called celebrity novel boom to Pamela Anderson’s 2004 book STAR, which she published. NYT Speaking of manufactured celebrities, Jersey Shore star Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola is being sued by doctor Marc L. Paulsen for allegedly failing to revise a diet book, SIZE 2 FOR LIFE, they were working on together for […]
People
Agent Leigh Feldman has left Darhansoff, Verrill, Feldman, where she worked for 20 years, to join Writers House, starting next month. Feldman says in the announcement, “I’m so lucky to have had the experience of working with Liz and Chuck for the last 20 years. Liz was a wonderful mentor to me and her wisdom and guidance is something that will benefit me as I move on to the next stage of my career with Writers House.” She adds, “I’m impressed by how well they have grasped the complexities and opportunities of digital’s emergence in book publishing. Most importantly, they’re […]
People, Etc.
Alex Littlefield has joined Basic Books as associate editor. He was assistant editor at Grove/Atlantic. Anna Termine has been promoted to senior licensing manager at Sage Publications and Corwin Press. She has been at the company for six years. According to SF Weekly, former San Francisco Chronicle books editor Oscar Villalon has “abruptly exited” his position as publisher at McSweeney’s after joining the company last September. Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus author John Gray will publish his next book himself on May 1 through his Mind Publishing, Inc. Called VENUS ON FIRE, MARS ON ICE: Hormonal Balance […]
That Was Quick: New Massachusetts Senator Heads Straight for a Book Deal–PLus More Proposals and Soft Announcements
Just-elected Scott Brown has retained Robert Barnett at Williams & Connolly to help him secure a book deal, Politico reports. Communications director Gail Gitcho says he is “honored and humbled to be approached by many people who want him to tell his inspirational personal story…. He will tell his story in a book in hopes of providing insight and encouragement to others and also to ensure that the record is complete and accurate.” He’ll work with a collaborator so that he has some time to serve as a senator, and will donate “part” of the proceeds to charity.Politico Separately, the […]
Proposal News
Ken Atchity at Atchity Entertainment International is launching a simultaneous pitch to New York publishers and Hollywood studios for the posthumously-completed manuscript of NYT-bestselling author William Diehl’s SEVEN WAYS TO DIE. Prior to his death in 2006, Diehl had written over 400 pages of manuscript, and left behind a working outline, notes and chapter drafts. AEI worked with Diehl and his screenwriting partner Michael Simpson, and along with his Cairo Simpson Entertainment took over the literary estate from William Morris. AEI and Simpson’s Informant Media (“Crazy Heart”) are currently producing Diehl’s Eureka. Informant also optioned Diehl’s Hooligans; Scott Abramovich’s Breaking […]