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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2010 > January > 25 > Entry
James Patterson rules the book world….
The author James Patterson sells more books than just about anybody. He also puts out more books than almost anybody.
A couple of years ago I attended the Book Expo America conference in Los Angeles. BEA used to be the big book publishing blowout of the year before the publishing industry began to shrink like so many other aspects of our economy.
As I approached the Staples Center that day where BEA was being held I saw a huge banner that covered a massive area on the front of the building. It was a 3 story high advertisement for the latest James Patterson book. I was walking with a friend and I said something like; “Wow! Patterson’s publisher sure likes him a lot. Look at the size of that banner!”
My friend is rather well versed in the intricacies of the book biz and he replied: “Yeah, his publisher loves him but they didn’t pay for that banner. He did-Patterson footed the bill. That probably cost him 80 grand to put that thing up there.”
Later, inside the convention center, we strolled through the booth of Patterson’s publisher, Little, Brown. Lo and behold, there was James Patterson signing autographs. He looked up and spotted my friend and said “Hi Bill.”
Last year at BEA in New York we were walking through their booth again and there was James Patterson signing autographs again. Deja vu.
He sells millions of books but he still wades into the trenches and does the grunt work; meeting his public, pressing the flesh.
An article in the New York Times magazine yesterday goes a long way toward explaining how James Patterson became the biggest name in publishing. It is a fascinating article. To check it out click HERE:
Vick Mickunas
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