Grogan Dogs Vanguard's Book of His Columns
by Rachel Deahl, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 6/8/2007
John Grogan does not want you to buy or read the forthcoming collection of his newspaper columns from Vanguard Press, Bad Dogs Have More Fun. The Marley & Me author is so unhappy about the book's publication that his agent has sent a letter to the publishing community distancing him from the project.
The September title, which pulls together pieces Grogan wrote at the Philadelphia Inquirer—the subtitle is Selected Writings on Animals, Family and Life by John Grogan for the Philadelphia Inquirer—came together without the author's approval or involvement. As such, Grogan's agent, Laurie Abkemeier of DeFiore and Company, today sent a letter to sales reps at Grogan's current publisher, HarperCollins, expressing Grogan's displeasure and explaining he will not be promoting or supporting the title in any way.
The publishing backstory is that Vanguard struck a deal for the book directly with the Inquirer, which owns the rights to the columns, and Grogan was not given any advance notice. Abkemeier got wind of the book after Vanguard publisher Roger Cooper and the Inquirer had signed papers on a Friday—the deal came together in April around the time of the London Book Fair—but Grogan didn't get the official word about the deal until the following Monday, when he received a letter from the paper's publisher, Brian Tierney.
"I was totally blindsided by it," Grogan said. "It just seems like common courtesy, and basic professional behavior, to at least give the writer a phone call to say, 'We're thinking of doing this.'" Grogan also believes the book, which features an image of a puppy on the cover, is shamefully trying to piggyback on the success of his smash bestseller. "This has nothing to do with wanting to publish my columns and everything to do with [Vanguard and the Inquirer] getting a piece of this very large audience I have with Marley & Me," said Grogan, who was at BookExpo last weekend promoting his recently released children's adaptations from HarperCollins, Bad Dog Marley and Marley: A Dog Like No Other.
Cooper and Inquirer publisher Brian Tierney, who both spoke to PW before news of Abkemeier's letter surfaced, said that what's happened is simply a case of miscommunication and, furthermore, Grogan's input is still wanted and welcome. As Cooper pointed out, Tierney's letter, which he explained "unfortunately got to John after he had already heard about the book project," offers Grogan a cut of the profits in exchange for his cooperation in promotional efforts. Cooper added that the paper "continually tried to reach out to Grogan," as did he, and that both parties still "want to involve him."
But Grogan feels it's all too little too late. And his letter, which Abkemeier addressed to "bookstore accounts" and e-mailed to HarperCollins to be disseminated among the house's sales force and account reps, is intended to let booksellers know that the Vanguard title is not a John Grogan book. "We don't want accounts to go in thinking this is like any other book John has done," Abkemeier said over the phone. "It's going to be a very different kind of sale without his promotion."
In the letter, which is signed by Abkemeier, she says the deal for the book was struck without Grogan's knowledge; it adds that Grogan is "deeply distressed" by the actions of both Vanguard and the Inquirer. Detailing that Grogan will not "grant interviews, approve the use of photos, or make appearances" to promote the book, the letter says Grogan was offered a chance to blurb the title "only under the condition that he would not have approval over the content and packaging."
Cooper told PW that the Inquirer "continually tried to arrange a meeting with John" and that he, also, sent Grogan a letter as recently as this week. In it, Cooper says he understands Grogan is "uncomfortable with the publication," but that Cooper is "excited" to bring the work to a potentially wider audience and "hoped that you would be enthusiastic about the opportunity." Cooper closes the letter by saying he hopes Grogan will reconsider having "an open conversation about the project."
Tierney, who reiterated his continued interest in having Grogan on board, said the letter's late arrival was regrettable. Nonetheless, the newspaper executive, recently rumored to be interested in buying Dow Jones, isn't overly concerned about Grogan's feelings. "This is a $500- million company... and, while we're excited about this book, it's not as if it's going to be a significant revenue stream."
