The PW Morning Report, May 12, 2008
By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 5/12/2008 5:06:00 AM
A round-up of the latest publishing news: New book says O.J. Confessed, O'Faolain dies, thoughts on British-American 'turf wars,' Lessing unhappy with Nobel win, Pausch gets NFL dream, Walden and Harper team.Ex-manager Says OJ Simpson Confessed
A memorabilia dealer who profited from O.J. Simpson for many years is the latest former crony to write a tell-all book, this one alleging a groggy Simpson, high on marijuana, confessed to killing his ex-wife after he was acquitted. Mike Gilbert's book, How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder: The Shocking Inside Story of Violence, Loyalty, Regret and Remorse (Regnery), hits stores today.
Irish Memoirist Nuala O’Faolain Is Dead
O’Faolain, an Irish journalist who mined a rich vein of longing and childhood suffering in two midlife memoirs and an acclaimed first novel, My Dream of You, died on Friday night in Dublin. She was 68 and lived in Barrtra, County Clare, Ireland, and Manhattan. The cause was lung cancer. PW profiled O'Faolain in 2001.
Literary Agent Alexander on British-American Turf Wars
Writing in The Bookseller, Clare Alexander says the debate is becoming more heated. One reason: international corporations see that digital editions might be downloaded anywhere, anytime.
Lessing Unhappy with Nobel Prize Win
Receiving the Nobel Prize for literature in 2007 has had a good many negative consequences, British author Doris Lessing says. Lessing, 88, said the Nobel Prize has led her on an endless stream of public appearances that have thoroughly disrupted her life, the Sunday Times of London reported.
Dying Author Randy Pausch Plays with NFL Stars
A month after his last lecture, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a little piece of The Last Lecture author Randy Pausch’s N.F.L. dream come true, inviting him to a practice. Pausch showed up wearing Hines Ward’s No. 86 jersey and huddled with Ward, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, safety Troy Polamalu and Coach Mike Tomlin.
Walden, Harper Team Up
Walden Media is becoming a publisher, partnering with HarperCollins Children's Books to launch Walden Pond Press. As part of the multiyear pact, the venture will acquire and publish books for young readers. Naturally, Variety reports, it also plans to turn several of its tomes into film adaptations or pair up properties with other filmmakers.
