Artoholic Saatchi bares all for Phaidon
26.06.09 Catherine Neilan reporting in The Bookseller

Phaidon is to publish a book in which art collector and advertising guru Charles Saatchi answers "with brutal frankness" some 200 questions put to him by journalists, critics and members of the public. Famously reclusive, Saatchi will address all areas of his life. The full title of the book is My Name is Charles Saatchi and I am an Artoholic: Everything you need to know about Art, Ads, Life, God and Other Mysteries—and Weren't Afraid to Ask.

Editorial director at Phaidon Amanda Renshaw, who commissioned the title, said: "Charles is one of the most influential shapers of the age we live in, through his role in advertising, and his enormous force in the contemporary art world, but he has always shied away from making his opinion publicly known. This book is insightful; it's not only interesting to hear his views, but it is a witty, clever and a really fun read."
Questions will include "How do you rate political advertising today?" and "Do you think you have messed up anyone's life by flogging off all of their work?"
Renshaw said Saatchi's "unflinching" responses had created "an extraordinary first-hand account" of the man who has become one of the world's most influential art collectors.

The illustrated book is due out on 8th September as a £5.99 paperback, to coincide with a BBC2 programme with the working title "Saatchi's Best of British" which is being billed as "the art world's answer to ‘The X Factor'".
Phaidon is planning a "huge" press campaign, including serialisations, around publication.