Going Rogue

Whatever you think about Sarah Palin, you have to admit that she has done more to save the publishing industry in the last week or so than Stephen King. I have a feeling the mood at Harper Collins must be slightly giddy with the sales of Palin's Going Rogue rumored to be way up there--as in they ordered a printing of 1.5 million copies.

Not bad for a "regular" gal from Alaska who has managed to energize a fan base that many never knew existed, and some are still at a loss to qualify. I saw the news report of the crowds at the first stop on her book door--a Barnes and Noble in Michigan--and people had actually camped out overnight, in line, for her to sign their books. And it was about ten degrees, although the store was in a mall.

It is interesting to note that most of these ardent supporters, at least at the first stop, seemed to be women of all ages. Could it simply be that Palin has become the Hilary Clinton of the Republican party--that is the long overdue poster child for equality--or is it more than that?

Personally, I can't get past the Tina Fey impression (and Palin is doing little to discredit her perceived lack of smarts with her continued butchery of the English language) but then again, she is laughing all the way to the bank, along with her publisher, agent and ghost writer.

And while the sales of her book, and the over-the-top crowds for her book signings continue to be the "big story" on the evening news, Palin will continue to reap the rewards. Who is looking smart now?

On one level, I am delighted that Palin has proven that people will still buy books, even if they don't read them, but a bit discouraged by the fact that the book came AFTER she was a household name. Long gone are the days when the book made you a household name.

Is she a literary phenomenon? Hardly. But she is living proof that writing a best seller and selling a best seller are not one and the same.