Publishers Lunch
Over the weekend pieces from the NYT, WSJ, and the AP filled
in some blanks about the discovery of Harper Lee's GO SET A WATCHMAN and how
cognizant Lee is about the novel's forthcoming publication on July 14. Though
the Harper Collins press release from last week said the manuscript was
discovered last fall, Lee's lawyer Tonja Carter tells the
NYT via emails and texts that she found the work "in late
summer." When Carter visited Lee and asked her about the manuscript and if
it was finished: "She said: 'Complete? I guess so. It was the parent of
MOCKINGBIRD."
Separately, the WSJ reports that foreign rights agent Andrew Nurnberg -- the only publishing person said to have met directly with Lee to discuss the publication -- told Michael Morrison at Harper Collins about the manuscript at a meeting on October 27. (That meeting took place three weeks before the death of Harper Lee's sister Alice.) Spokesperson Tina Andreadis says Morrison was "absolutely stunned" and decided to acquire it after reading the book overnight. "I've read the book twice, and it’s fantastic," Morrison told the paper.
Meanwhile, a type-only jacket design for the book has shown up on bookselling sites, though Harper's own site continues to display a generic temporary jacket.
As to the ongoing controversy, Carter indicated in a statement that Lee feels "extremely hurt and humiliated" at the suggestion she was manipulated or duped into publishing GO SET A WATCHMAN. "She is a very strong, independent, and wise woman who should be enjoying the discovery of her long-lost novel. Instead she is having to defend her own credibility and decision-making." A resident assistant at the assisted-living facility in Monroeville where Lee has resided for several years affirmed Carter's statement. "She seems excited about it, and it has given her something to focus on since her sister died," said Cynthia McMillan, further describing Lee as "sharp as a tack."
Separately, the WSJ reports that foreign rights agent Andrew Nurnberg -- the only publishing person said to have met directly with Lee to discuss the publication -- told Michael Morrison at Harper Collins about the manuscript at a meeting on October 27. (That meeting took place three weeks before the death of Harper Lee's sister Alice.) Spokesperson Tina Andreadis says Morrison was "absolutely stunned" and decided to acquire it after reading the book overnight. "I've read the book twice, and it’s fantastic," Morrison told the paper.
Meanwhile, a type-only jacket design for the book has shown up on bookselling sites, though Harper's own site continues to display a generic temporary jacket.
As to the ongoing controversy, Carter indicated in a statement that Lee feels "extremely hurt and humiliated" at the suggestion she was manipulated or duped into publishing GO SET A WATCHMAN. "She is a very strong, independent, and wise woman who should be enjoying the discovery of her long-lost novel. Instead she is having to defend her own credibility and decision-making." A resident assistant at the assisted-living facility in Monroeville where Lee has resided for several years affirmed Carter's statement. "She seems excited about it, and it has given her something to focus on since her sister died," said Cynthia McMillan, further describing Lee as "sharp as a tack."
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