In a refreshingly frank new video from Samanthus Ettus’ interview show Obsessed, former head of Warner Books Larry Kirschbaum reveals his skepticism about signing then-unknown Stephenie Meyer to a three-book deal for “significant six figures.” “I called the editor and said basically, ‘Are you crazy? This is a first author, no platform, just a housewife, books about vampires. Do people really want to read that?’” It’s worth noting that in the end Kirschbaum signed off on the deal that led to the Twilight phenomenon — though he also says he advised another Warner author, Detroit-based sports columnist Mitch Albom, to “stick to sports” and watched as Albom went to rival Doubleday for the non-sports book that would become megahit Tuesdays With Morrie.
And that’s just in the opening minutes of this interview with Kirschbaum and recently ousted HarperCollins president-CEO Jane Friedman, who offer thoughtful insights on the current woes of the publishing industry. Both agree that too many books are published, extol the virtues of self-publishing, note the slowness of major publishers to adapt to digital formats, and speculate on the fate of “legacy publishers” which, Friedman says, will struggle to reinvent themselves “because there’s too much history and there’s too much overhead.” “You’ve got a model that’s self-imploding,” she says. “If you look at the biggest best-sellers, the publisher is using the money that comes in to turn on the lights. But the publisher isn’t making any money on those books.” (It’s also fun to watch Friedman tap dance around questions about her frigid relationship with Judith Regan, the former head of Harper-based ReganBooks.)
It’s Stephenie Meyer, not Meyers. Wake up, editors!
I wish he hadn’t. Twilight sucks balls!
i totally disagree with you. Twilight is the one of the bess books i’ve ever read. And i’ve read a lot of books in my life.
Imagine if they passed on Meyer? They would be sobbing. Just like those who passed on Rowling.
Again, Meyer is responsible for 25% of all books sold last year. Shows that you have to take a chance on an unknown.
I totally agree.
I agree also! My family probably has our own set of the series. So good!!
Can we please have a discussion about books and publishing without it becoming a giant geekfest over Twilight? Look, I read all four books in nine days. I enjoyed them. But there are so many other things to talk about in publishing.
Any fans of other books or any other comments about the other 90% of what they talked about?
Tuesday’s with Morrie was a good book, who would pass on that? I guess Larry made up for it with Twilight but still…not a good idea to pass up a great novel like Mitch Alboms.
Does this make you feel better Danielle?
Agreed. Let’s move on from Twilight, let’s send Mandi Bierly on a permanent sabbatical until she can find something else with more substance to worship.
It does. I’ve always been interested in listening to stories that never were. Actors that turned down, what ended up being, epic roles. Ann Curry recently discussing how she had to go through almost 30 rejections from local news stations before someone would hire her. Books and authors that were rejected and went on to critical acclaim.
I’m wondering why Larry would pass on a writer that they already had a relationship with and had already published. I wish he’d gone into why he didn’t think the book worked? Was it just b/c he had Albom pegged as a sports writer only? Did he even read the book, or just reject it based on the proposal? Did Albom stay with Larry and Warner Books after the success of Tuesdays? ALthough I could probably find that out on the internet, it’s always better to hear it from the people who were actually involved. Good stories and interesting topics. I’m also interested in the story about Gregory Maguire and Wicked as well as Judith Regan. So yes, Nerwen Aldarion…I do feel better.
Danielle, as it turns out, Mitch Albom just wrote ‘Tuesdays With Morrie’ for Doubleday and then moved to Disney-owned Hyperion for all of his subsequent books, the newest of which is due in stores Sept. 29: ‘Have a Little Faith, a True Story.’
the dark-hunter books by sherrlyn kenyon are a better read.
Fun watching Jane Friedman dance around the Judith Regan issue. She did everything she could to sabotage Regan. Friedman is condescending and effete, which is why she will not be making a comeback.
Wow, two of my favorite books (Tuesdays & Twilight) almost passed up by the same guy? lolz…
I love stories about people having faith in unknown writers and creating partnerships that give them the break they need, and deserve. Why do I like these – well I am one of the unknowns looking to open the door. I’ve had great feedback from people who have read my first book, Randolph’s Challenge Book One – The Pendulum Swings, and I’m now working on book two – A Wizard’s Lot. All I need is for a copy to end up in the right place, at the right time, in the hands of the right person.
That’s why I like such success stories – it gives me hope that these things can still happen.
Chris Warren
Author and Freelance Writer
Randolph’s Challenge Book One – The Pendulum Swings
Chris Warren
Author