More Gould Gossip

Thanks to Cajun Boy for passing this from Reverse Cowgirl's blog our way:

Got an email this past weekend in reference to this post. Came from an individual who read Gould's proposal in its entirety. Last weekend, a few folks end up at a bar, gather around a table, and one attendee pulls multiple copies of the proposal from her purse. Said copies are passed around, read, and readers find themselves "collectively aghast at its bone-shattering awfulness." Reportedly, it's "painful" to read. Supposedly, Gould as recently as a week ago declared she wouldn't be writing a memoir because writing 8,000 words about herself was too depressing, and she couldn't imagine writing 80,000 words about herself. I guess this is the part in the post where I'm supposed to say something insightful, but the only thing I can think to say is just because it sucks doesn't mean it won't sell for $250K-plus in a matter of days. I guess that's the breaks when the idiots are driving the clown car.

Updated: Another anonymous emailer who was present for the proposalakkake concurs: "I was there when that book proposal came out. And I'll tell you with remorse, as someone who has been trying to stick up for Emily: it's abysmal. It makes me sad."

I've talked to a couple people who have read the manuscript, and opinions seem to vary from "hideous" to "I enjoyed it." I have yet to get my grubby hands on a manuscript so I can offer no guidance. But, if anyone has one they want to send to the Editor via email, that would be totally sweet.

Do tell,

The Editor

Question to the readers...All 5 of you

Ok, so I don't think I've ever made any claim to be moral, per se. But I have a question for you guys. So, apparently, blogger has this ad sense thing where you can allow them to post those google related ads (like that pop up on your gmail) and then they pay you. I imagine it's next to nothing, but hey next to nothing is better than nothing. Is it really loserish to sign up for it? I mean, I like money. But, something really sits funny with me about allowing content I don't approve to pop up based on key words in our posts. What if Slunch ends up inadvertently advertising for Emily's book? Oh, the horrors. Thoughts?

Do tell,

The Editor

Follow-up to the Sloane/Emily Question

From you handy tipsters, we have aquired this info:

1. The Original Publishers Marketplace Deal for Sloane: Vintage/Anchor associate publicity director Sloane Crosley's I WAS TOLD THERE'D BE CAKE, humorous essays about the glamor of inadequacy, to Jennifer Pooley at William Morrow, for publication in fall 2007, by Denise Shannon at Denise Shannon Literary Agency (NA). Apparently the book was originally more ettiquette themed, and at some point, the focus changed, as did the publisher.


2. A claim the Emily's book went for $250k, and Sloane's for $75k.


3. A claim that Sloane's book went for much less than $75k.

All I can verify is that the book was definitely in the five figure range, based on Leon Neyfakh's May Observer article. I think we can safely assume that Emily is at least raking in six figures more than Sloane. Although, the question remains, who will ultimately win? Sloane must have earned out her advance by now, and royalties should start coming in. Depending on what Emily's book does...well, she might never see more than her initial paycheck.

Do Tell,

The Editor

Gag

From Publishers Lunch:

Former editor of Gawker.com and author of a recent NYT Magazine cover article on her life online Emily Gould's AND THE HEART SAYS..."WHATEVER", called "an honest, searching and wry set of recollections that together weave a picture of what it's like to be a young person in New York City in the early 2000s," to Amber Qureshi at Free Press, in a pre-empt, for publication in 2010, by Melissa Flashman at Trident Media Group (NA).

Gawker says the deal was for a million. Gould (via Galleycat) denied the figure, and Ron reports that the deal may or may not be closer to $350k. Either way, Emily has a lot more money than I do. And that makes me angry. Does anyone know how much Sloane's book went for?

Do tell,

The Editor

Woohoo, more books on NPR (dot org)

NPR.org is adding more book coverage to the site with reviews from Jessa Crispin (who never returns my emails for Bookslut, so god knows what will happen now), John Freeman (who I saw speak once and was wearing a purple shirt, so I think I like him), and Laurel Maury (who I know nothing about). Perhaps a reaction to Yen Cheong's NPR Book Watch?

According to senior supervising producer Joe Matazzoni, NPR.org "can’t cover the book industry like PW or the New York Times. We’re here to try and point our audience to good books. Our audience identifies with our sensibility and looks to us for judgment and taste. We’re a filter.”

Hmm, filter? Are you trying to say that the reviewers at PW and the NYT don't have good "sensibility" or any "judgement and taste"? It seems like the purpose of any book review section is to be just that. To review books so you know what you're getting into before you buy it. And while, yes, PW reviews a lot of books, it's not as thought the Times just throws out book reviews willy-nilly. I'm pretty sure that there is a fairly lengthy consideration process. Plus, no offense, Joe - it is NPR DOT ORG - as in not the radio. I wonder if our bosses will be as excited about a listing on the website as they would be about an Alan Cheuse review or an interview with Terry Gross? Somehow, I doubt it.

--Ladytron

Reif's Debut Just Blew Your Book Deal Away

From Publishers Lunch:

Reif Larsen's debut novel THE SELECTED WORKS OF T.S. SPIVET, the story of a 12-year old genius mapmaker from Montana, to Ann Godoff at Penguin Press, in a major deal, reportedly for approximately $900,000, at auction, for publication in summer 2009, by Denise Shannon at the Denise Shannon Literary Agency (US).

Sigh. I have to start working on my genius novel. I could really use $900, 000. Or, you know what? Ann Godoff - I will make you a deal. If you promise to publish my book, I promise that I will not take a penny more than $500k from you. I think that's fair, considering that you haven't read it and I haven't written it. But, I'm sure it will be good. Look at all the genius bits I write on here. I mean, how could it NOT succeed? And I already have this great platform. Oh, haven't you heard of slunch? It's immensely popular. Advertisers are clamouring to pay us, but you know, we have integrity and all. Sorry, American Apparel. You lose. (just kidding. American Apparel, if you want to give us money, it's totally cool! I'll even wear your stuff while I type. and talk about how soft your t-shirts are. call me!)

--Ladytron

Because I think it's funny...

Literary Event of the Week - Bryant Park Reading Room:

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Special Author Edition of the Liar Show

Hosted by: Andy Christie

Ophira Eisenberg, I Killed: True Stories of the Road from American’s Top Comics

Alix Strauss, Have I Got a Guy for You: What Really Happens When Mom Fixes You Up

Eve Lederman, Shag's Little Book of Love: Dating, Mating, and Mischief Making

James Braly, Life in a Marital Institution

Join Andy Christie, creator of the ever-so-popular The Liar Show, for a special author edition of the critically acclaimed series. Four performers tell personal stories that will make you laugh, but listen carefully, because only three of them are telling the truth. For more information visit the website at http://www.theliarshow.com/