Melville House Books

An Associated Press report says Sarah Palin received $1.25 million dollars from HarperCollins for her autobiography, Going Rogue before she left office as governor of Alaska, according to a “disclosure statement” released yesterday that discusses Palin’s finances from Jan. 1 to July 27.

What’s more, says the AP report, “The document only provides a partial picture of the book deal because it doesn’t cover the three months she has been out of office. Palin doesn’t elaborate on her book compensation, describing the $1.25 million figure only as a ‘retainer.’”

Right — there is more scratch to come for the Alaskan huntress. The book shot up to #1 on Amazon and Barnes & Noble the moment HarperCollins announced it was moving up the publication date to November 17th. Since then, Amazon — along with Target and Walmart — has made it one of their $9.00 specials in their price war with Target and others. (Passim: MobyLives.) And of course Oprah Winfry has also announced that she has changed her mind and will be hosting Palin on her show.

In short, there will be book sales galore. Think of all the pretty clothes she can buy now. This book-writing stuff is easy!

Meanwhile, in a semi-related story, Carolyn Kellog at the Los Angeles Times’ Jacket Copy blog notes “Abebooks has collected its top 10 ghostwritten books. The best story — although perhaps the worst-written — is of actress Hedy Lamarr. Although she was listed as the sole author of her memoir, ‘Ecstasy and Me,’ she found it so riddled with lies — penned by ghostwriter Leo Guild — that she sued the publisher. Whoops.”

Valerie Merians is the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.