A Nervous Rally
Journalist writer Manu Joseph paid the price for having his launch so close on the heels of the biggest scandal to ever erupt in the world of books here—the sexual harassment lawsuit against former Penguin CEO David Davidar. At the launch of his Serious Men, an invitee sought his opinion on the case. Hapless Manu hemmed and hawed, but it was tougher still for his co-panelist, feminist publisher Urvashi Butalia, to explain away her rallying behind Davidar. Of course, it was before Davidar came out with his extraordinary disclosure which turned into the week’s buzzword: “consensual flirtatious relationship”. All ears now for the trial expected to start in July.
Lost In Advance
Bestselling author Rujuta Diwekar has been stolen from under the nose of her debut publisher Random House by rival Westland. Westland has had an eye on her ever since they lost the bidding war for Don’t Lose your Mind, Lose your Weight. The crossover is for a six-figure advance. The book, Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha—Don’t Lose yourself, Lose Your Weight, will be out in November.
