Comments on: Shock and Awe at HarperCollins! Judith Regan Ousted 21st Century-Style—Frog-Marched! http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/ Publisher/Editor/Author -- Cranky Critiques & Random Rants Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:32:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Russell Bittner http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-18898 Russell Bittner Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:16:48 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-18898 Lynne, As always, quite amusingly written. You're a true rainmaker with the prose---not that we need any more of THAT wet stuff this rainy Monday morning in NYC! Russell Lynne,

As always, quite amusingly written. You’re a true rainmaker with the prose—not that we need any more of THAT wet stuff this rainy Monday morning in NYC!

Russell

]]> By: Tana McDonald http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-7954 Tana McDonald Mon, 22 Jan 2007 05:48:48 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-7954 I can't believe Regan was so autonomous that she could set up this kind of deal with this kind of money without the approval of others. She would have had to consult lawyers to find a way to pay OJ, and she surely would have had to run it by somebody. she wasn't using her own money, after all. They had to find a reason to fire her, lest she find a reason to sue them. She was set up. Methinks that they are hoping that the Goldmans' and courts will be satisfied by their sacrifice of her body and so won't demand to know how this project was put together. If there hadn't been an uproar, Rupert would have had no problems with Ms Regan. I'm glad she's gone. Her tabloid publishing style sickens me. What she does is not really publishing anyway. It's putting out the trash. I can’t believe Regan was so autonomous that she could set up this kind of deal with this kind of money without the approval of others. She would have had to consult lawyers to find a way to pay OJ, and she surely would have had to run it by somebody. she wasn’t using her own money, after all.

They had to find a reason to fire her, lest she find a reason to sue them. She was set up. Methinks that they are hoping that the Goldmans’ and courts will be satisfied by their sacrifice of her body and so won’t demand to know how this project was put together. If there hadn’t been an uproar, Rupert would have had no problems with Ms Regan.

I’m glad she’s gone. Her tabloid publishing style sickens me. What she does is not really publishing anyway. It’s putting out the trash.

]]> By: Lynne http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-7739 Lynne Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:35:48 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-7739 Update: “Regan Books to Shut Down After Firing of Its Creator,” The New York Times, Thursday, January 18, 2007.

The contract with O. J. Simpson was signed by Judith Regan AND Jane Friedman, president and chief executive of HarperCollins… “Through a spokeswoman, Ms. Friedman declined to comment on the contract or the closing of Regan Books; she has been noticeably silent throughout the controversy. [Having accomplished her mission, no doubt!]

 

]]> By: delilah http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5360 delilah Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:21:17 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5360 The second the OJ deal tanked, Judith should have hit her local Officemax to buy moving supplies. No way was a bigtime publisher -- who, of course, would have happily cashed the checks to what I believe, based on the crap the American public wallows in, would have been a runaway bestseller -- going to take a direct hit on their image. Judith Regan was toast and everyone, except her (apparently) knew it. Or maybe she did know and hastened the inevitable by refusing to change her behavior, a behavior that was tolerable as long as the bucks were rolling in, and then was deemed shocking and unacceptable when things turned south. Assuming the stories about anti-semitism are true, her behavior is beneath contempt. But just for a second, let us try to imagine what it takes for a woman to reach the level in the (I'm only guessing since I'm not a publishing professional) dog-eat-dog, male-dominated world of big publishing. Intelligence and great vision are a given, as, do I believe balls to rival those of an elephant. Would she have achieved her lofty position had she been a deferential, feminine woman who feared offending others? And when things were going swimmingly for her imprint, did the big guns ever demand that she turn it down a notch? I have no idea what the answers to these questions might be. Like the Mafia always says right before putting a bullet in the back of your head: "It's nothing personal; just business." I'm guessing a savvy publishing professional like Judith Regan understands that and will move on. Regan, I predict, will land on her feet. Hopefully, when she does, she'll have a filter installed between her brain and her mouth. She's obviously talented at what she does, but she ain't no Howard Stern. The second the OJ deal tanked, Judith should have hit her local Officemax to buy moving supplies. No way was a bigtime publisher — who, of course, would have happily cashed the checks to what I believe, based on the crap the American public wallows in, would have been a runaway bestseller — going to take a direct hit on their image. Judith Regan was toast and everyone, except her (apparently) knew it.

Or maybe she did know and hastened the inevitable by refusing to change her behavior, a behavior that was tolerable as long as the bucks were rolling in, and then was deemed shocking and unacceptable when things turned south.

Assuming the stories about anti-semitism are true, her behavior is beneath contempt. But just for a second, let us try to imagine what it takes for a woman to reach the level in the (I’m only guessing since I’m not a publishing professional) dog-eat-dog, male-dominated world of big publishing. Intelligence and great vision are a given, as, do I believe balls to rival those of an elephant. Would she have achieved her lofty position had she been a deferential, feminine woman who feared offending others? And when things were going swimmingly for her imprint, did the big guns ever demand that she turn it down a notch? I have no idea what the answers to these questions might be.

Like the Mafia always says right before putting a bullet in the back of your head: “It’s nothing personal; just business.” I’m guessing a savvy publishing professional like Judith Regan understands that and will move on.

Regan, I predict, will land on her feet. Hopefully, when she does, she’ll have a filter installed between her brain and her mouth. She’s obviously talented at what she does, but she ain’t no Howard Stern.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5327 Anonymous Thu, 21 Dec 2006 04:31:41 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5327 >>Planning to quit? Better to make all those copies and wipe out your hard drive before you give notice. After I gave notice at my last job, in total good faith I reviewed every single one of the ten thousand emails in my Outlook and one thousand documents on my hard drive and filed, forwarded and deleted until there was no stone left unturned and no loose end to tie up -- and not one message or document left. What do you think they did the minute I left? Restored them from backup to their original magnificence. So, Lynne, I say to your readers: <strong>don't bother wiping out your hard drive. It'll look suspicious. Better off pilfering office supplies if that's what floats your boat. </strong> >>Planning to quit? Better to make all those copies and wipe out your hard drive before you give notice.

After I gave notice at my last job, in total good faith I reviewed every single one of the ten thousand emails in my Outlook and one thousand documents on my hard drive and filed, forwarded and deleted until there was no stone left unturned and no loose end to tie up — and not one message or document left. What do you think they did the minute I left? Restored them from backup to their original magnificence.

So, Lynne, I say to your readers: don’t bother wiping out your hard drive. It’ll look suspicious. Better off pilfering office supplies if that’s what floats your boat.

]]> By: Frazer http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5326 Frazer Thu, 21 Dec 2006 04:19:19 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5326 Okay, I've stopped laughing long enough to point out that St. Martin's used to enjoy a well-earned reputation for schlock, but that era has largely passed. Ever since St. Martin's hooked up with VHPS, they've been in the company of Henry Holt and (later) FSG, and St. Martin's now includes well-respected imprints like Picador. Some of VHPS's recent books include <strong>"Gilead"</strong> by Marilynne Robinson, Ron Rash's astonishing <strong>"The World Made Straight,"</strong> Susanna Clarke's <strong>"Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell,"</strong> Andrea Levy's <strong>"Small Island,"</strong> and, oh yeah, <strong>"Echo Maker"</strong> by Richard Powers, which won the National Book Award this year. Sure, they still print some crap--what publisher doesn't?--<strong>but my bet in the Where Will She Land? sweepstakes goes to Random House, who pretends to be the snootiest and most literary house and yet publishes the likes of Ann Coulter. </strong> Now excuse me--I have to get back to my riotous laughter (hey, retail in December, ya gotta take your yuks where you find 'em). Frazer Okay, I’ve stopped laughing long enough to point out that St. Martin’s used to enjoy a well-earned reputation for schlock, but that era has largely passed. Ever since St. Martin’s hooked up with VHPS, they’ve been in the company of Henry Holt and (later) FSG, and St. Martin’s now includes well-respected imprints like Picador. Some of VHPS’s recent books include “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson, Ron Rash’s astonishing “The World Made Straight,” Susanna Clarke’s “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell,” Andrea Levy’s “Small Island,” and, oh yeah, “Echo Maker” by Richard Powers, which won the National Book Award this year. Sure, they still print some crap–what publisher doesn’t?–but my bet in the Where Will She Land? sweepstakes goes to Random House, who pretends to be the snootiest and most literary house and yet publishes the likes of Ann Coulter.

Now excuse me–I have to get back to my riotous laughter (hey, retail in December, ya gotta take your yuks where you find ‘em).
Frazer

]]> By: Therese Fowler http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5315 Therese Fowler Thu, 21 Dec 2006 00:17:43 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5315 Hi Lynne, I've read a lot of Regan news but your post is the best! Made me laugh out loud--AND feel fortunate to be working on the creative side of the industry (i.e. from my writing desk at home) where the only people who could frog-march me anywhere are my husband and teen-age sons. (Probably I'm safe...but I s'pose one never knows!) Hi Lynne,

I’ve read a lot of Regan news but your post is the best! Made me laugh out loud–AND feel fortunate to be working on the creative side of the industry (i.e. from my writing desk at home) where the only people who could frog-march me anywhere are my husband and teen-age sons. (Probably I’m safe…but I s’pose one never knows!)

]]> By: Robert http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5309 Robert Wed, 20 Dec 2006 23:16:19 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5309 I’ll lay 2-1 that Ms. Regan pops up again soon – perhaps St. Martin’s?

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): I don’t know about St. Martin’s Press. They are quite prestigious and might not like the association. (Actually, they are my old publisher.) 

]]> By: David Thayer http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5308 David Thayer Wed, 20 Dec 2006 23:09:53 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5308 Lynne, When Bush fired Rumsfeld there was a bizarre little ceremony in the Oval Office. (It created closure for me: I remember crying.) I think Queen Victoria wanted to fire Disraeli in a similar fashion with armored Hussars firing a salute. The News Corporation owed Regan a better send-off along the lines of a Steinbrenner-Billy Martin-type news conference where minor injuries required immediate attention. Judith might have headlocked Rupert or at least knocked the podium over. The consequences for readers seem serious. What of Jenna Jameson's literary career? What will we read now? Lynne, When Bush fired Rumsfeld there was a bizarre little ceremony in the Oval Office. (It created closure for me: I remember crying.) I think Queen Victoria wanted to fire Disraeli in a similar fashion with armored Hussars firing a salute.

The News Corporation owed Regan a better send-off along the lines of a Steinbrenner-Billy Martin-type news conference where minor injuries required immediate attention. Judith might have headlocked Rupert or at least knocked the podium over.

The consequences for readers seem serious. What of Jenna Jameson’s literary career? What will we read now?

]]> By: Lisa http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5306 Lisa Wed, 20 Dec 2006 22:53:36 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/12/19/shock-and-awe-at-harpercollins-judith-regan-ousted-21st-century-style-frog-marched/#comment-5306 Hmm. I read recently that someone had written a <em>Devil Wears Prada</em>-style book about Judith Regan called <em>Because She Can,</em> but it wasn't slated to come out till summer, when much of the hoopla will have died down. Wonder if it'll be fast-tracked? Hmm. I read recently that someone had written a Devil Wears Prada-style book about Judith Regan called Because She Can, but it wasn’t slated to come out till summer, when much of the hoopla will have died down. Wonder if it’ll be fast-tracked?

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