Plame Game Wins 4 Bids (Book Deal)

[sabra]

http://www.nypost.com/business/63276.htm

PLAME GAME WINS 4 BIDS

May 5, 2006 -- AT least four publishers are vying for the memoir of outed CIA agent Valerie Plame - and the bidding has reached seven figures, publishing sources told Media Ink.

Plame, of course, is the career agent who was working undercover - until her name was leaked to reporters, triggering a full-blown scandal in Washington, D.C., in the hunt for the leaker.

The agent handling the book auction is Elyse Cheney. She did not return calls seeking comment.

[ixion]

1. As a novelist, it really bugs me when people who are not novelists

get million dollar+ book deals.

I know she has a story to tell, and everything, but if you've ever tried to get a piece of fiction published you'll understand what I'm talking about.

[elehhhhna]

3. I understand your argument but come on...

her career's been destroyed, her outing will probably take down the BA, and she has a more interesting story to tell then any fiction.

Her contract versus a fiction deal? Apples & oranges.

BTW, have you sent anything to this agent, Elise Cheney? She sounds pretty solid--reps Dave Eggers (author of the overrated imo Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius).

[darkmaestro019]

8. It's kinda like

uh, falling down in your garage and the resulting paint-smear making you an artist. I'm glad she's making lemonade out of what was done to her, but it makes me furious nonetheless.

And I realize you are not talking to me, but getting an agent to even READ anything you send is kind of like trying to win the lottery--or throwing yourself into the proverbial paint cans on purpose and hoping to get lucky.......

[elehhhhna]

11. I believe that....

Seems one must make up a good backstory and act like a Springer guest to get attention. Yet there's still tons of horrible fiction published daily.
I find popular fiction really lame.

If you really want to tick yourself off, let's note that Ms. Plame will probably have that book ghost-written.

If I were a struggling author I'd consider writing some modern romance crap to pay the bills, then write for pleasure the rest of the time.

[brentspeak]

16. There's no pleasure in writing serious work

if what you write doesn't get published.

[elehhhhna]

17. i thought writer write because they HAVE TO write.

[ixion]

20. I used to publish, but I've stopped that... now I just write

to please myself. I'll have my novels bound, and they'll sit on my shelf and make me happy...and that's what matters in the long run, I guess.

[darkmaestro019]

27. Yes. Well, that's true for me and most I know.

But you have to pay bills too, and when you have to work and you have to write, you wind up with awfully narrow leisure time : )

[darkmaestro019]

7. aaaaaa-fking-men. (applause) (nt)

[ixion]

19. thanks

nice to know I'm not alone. :hi:

[mopinko]

12. get over yourself

i am an artist, i know how much rejections sucks. but she is not selling a novel, she is selling her own, very, very, very important story. important truth should hold the highest value in a society.

[ixion]

18. I'll speak my mind as I please

thanks.

I understand her story is important. That has nothing -- NOTHING -- to do with publishing literature.

[mopinko]

21. i don't mean it in a bad way

chill.
it is apples and oranges. so, you should try not to let it bother you. i know that isn't all that possible. just nudging you to strive for peace.

[ixion]

22. thanks. being something of a pacifist, I'm all about peace...

but that doesn't mean I can't get annoyed once in a while. :hi:

[Book Lover]

23. Her book will generate the revenue to justify the advance

Why is this a fiction-vs-nonfiction issue?

[ixion]

24. yeah, the non-fiction genre dominates publishing

which removes the artistic Quality from it.

It was an author's lament... from a purist standpoint, the Age of Literature is over. :cry:

[Book Lover]

25. Well,

when has the publishing industry ever been about the art or writing, or even the craft? All we do is put the words on the paper and try to sell it. The words themselves? Not my problem, as long as someone wants to buy the product...

And actually, now that Print-on-Demand is closer to feasibility, a new Age of Literature can be nearly upon us. The bookstore can be the printer and binder; the author and her/his publicist-cum-marketer can be the publisher. What do you think?

[ixion]

26. absolutely

I see that evolution as bittersweet, albeit natural. There was a time when it was about the writing. It was about narration and dialog and good, strong story telling. Binding and printing the novel was an art unto itself. I miss the art -- the hands on creation, much like I miss the passion for good literature so conspicuously absent from out culture these days. :-(

[LA lady]

2. lawsuit

Could this adversely affect their lawsuit?? That's what I am looking forward to.

[ShortnFiery]

4. Wilson and Plame are both intelligent and thoughtful people ...

They will not do anything that will jeopardize the criminal case against members within this corrupt Administration.

Hey, I don't have any angst / potential jealousy for even a 7 figure amount offered toward a book deal with her story. Plame and her husband have figuratively been through hell and back. However, I believe that this couple's moral beliefs greatly trump any cushy potential book deal on the horizon. :-)

[htuttle]

6. I wouldn't expect to see a book actually released...

...until their legal options have been completed.

In fact, if they sue the Administration in civil court, as they've hinted at doing, a full account of the court case written as it was happening would be very interesting way to end the book.

[JDPriestly]

5. It used to be that CIA agents did not retire and tell,

but I guess that the government that outed the big secret in Plame's life can't very well do anything to her for outing its secrets. Interesting.

[Champion Jack]

9. Is this Elyse Cheney?

[Zynx]

10. OMG! Now I don't want to even think of sex!

[Frank Cannon]

13. So much for that bearclaw I had sitting here for breakfast

:puke:

[peekaloo]

14. lol....it is pretty ironic that her agent's name is Cheney.

:rofl:

[hezekkia]

28. lol

i was thinking the same thing!

:headbang:

[xultar]

15. Lets all pray the book is out in time to fuck with the Rethugs in 2k8!!!