What the Hell Has Happened to Vanity Fair?

As dramas go, it is minor stuff. But in the itsy-bitsy, hothouse world of magazine glossies, the question everyone seems to be asking this summer is, “What the hell has happened to Vanity Fair?” You remember Vanity Fair, no doubt. It was big not so long ago. The chatterati obsessed over it—its striking covers, its fabulous photo features, its stories (the revelations, the scandals, the crime deconstructions!), even its stylish advertising, which filled its shiny pages. And, of course, its larger-than-life editor, Graydon Carter, who announced his retirement at the end of last year after a quarter-century at the helm. Now, half a year since Carter handed over the reins to his surprise-pick successor… silence. And not the kind of silence that issues from respect. Well, that’s not entirely accurate. I do hear things, mainly because I’ve spent my life in the media. I listen for the whispers. This is what media people are whispering: Vanity Fair is disappearing from the radar. In various forms and contexts, I hear the words “disaster,” “awful,” “irrelevant.” Unfortunately for the magazine’s owner, Condé Nast, this is occurring at a most inauspicious moment. The publisher is confronting strong economic headwinds on several fronts, to the extent that it has begun the process of selling three of its books. For the time being, it’s said that VF is safe, but how long before some sort of radical change, or rescue, is deemed necessary? (As if to kick sand in VF’s face, a newly... Continue reading at 'Folio Magazine'

[ Folio Magazine | 2018-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #guilty pleasure

Other Publishing stories related to: 'What the Hell Has Happened to Vanity Fair?'


Authors Guild Announces 'Fair Contract' Initiative

At this year's BookExpo America, the Authors Guild is rolling out its Fair Contract Initiative, a series of commentaries it will publish in the coming months that take a "fresh look at the standard book publishing contract." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bookexpo america #authors guild #coming months


Frankfurt Book Fair Invests in IPR License

The Frankfurt Book Fair has invested in IPR License, a global rights platform for the book publishing industry, and will promote the online rights business to a global audience. The post Frankfurt Book Fair Invests in IPR License appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ipr license #global audience


Thessaloniki Book Fair: A Little Miracle with an Uncertain Future

The 12th Thessaloniki Book Fair was a surprising success, though Greek publishers are frustrated with the lack of local support and international interest. The post Thessaloniki Book Fair: A Little Miracle with an Uncertain Future appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #uncertain future #greek publishers


What Happened to Brazil’s Booming Book Business?

The strong US dollar, a struggling bookstore sector and a slowdown in government book acquisitions has pushed the Brazilian publishing sector into a crisis. The post What Happened to Brazil’s Booming Book Business? appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Dealmaking at the Buenos Aires Book Fair

Nicole Witt of the Mertin Literary Agency reports on rights deals from the Buenos Aires Book Fair, where literary fiction is always a highlight. The post Dealmaking at the Buenos Aires Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #rights deals #literary fiction


Wildcard Award: Win a Stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair

Enter to win the Frankfurt Book Fair's 2015 Wildcard Award, a competition for creative companies to win a free, 8-square-meter stand at the world's largest book fair The post Wildcard Award: Win a Stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


London Book Fair 2015: Decoding the Spanish Language Market

The Spanish language market is not the easiest one to break into. This highlights the importance of cultivating partnerships with international publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #international publishers


London Book Fair’s Evolution Reflects Publishing’s “New Ecology”

The London Book Fair has evolved to reflect the 'new ecology' of publishing and shift in confidence, says Faber's Stephen Page. The post London Book Fair’s Evolution Reflects Publishing’s “New Ecology” appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #stephen page


London Book Fair's latest deal highlights

Deals revealed during the last two days of London Book Fair 2015, which concluded yesterday (16th), include an "intense auction" for a thriller by Melanie Raabe, which went to Mantle, a "stunning psychological suspense novel" by Margaret McQuaile which went to Quercus, and a debut by Goodreads... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #intense auction #fig tree


BEA, LéaLA, and Expolit Book Fairs Highlight Books in Spanish: Spanish Publishing 2015

Book fairs have become much more aware of the purchasing power of the Hispanic population in the U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book fairs #hispanic population


London Book Fair 2015: The Buzz Books of the Show

With no single title emerging as the big book of the fair, we offer a rundown of some of the novels, and big nonfiction titles, people were talking about in London. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #buzz books #big book


Olympia move splits fair-goers

There were packed aisles at the first London Book Fair at Olympia since 2005, with many fair-goers praising the venue. Others, however, were less than satisfied with signage and transportation, and said the current venue was “hard to navigate”.    Johnson & Alcock agent Ed Wilson said: “For... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #younger generation #step forwards #step back


London book fair excited by Erica Jong's new novel

Fear of Flying author’s latest book causes a stir alongside major deals for self-published authors and the first book from Blue Peter star Janet EllisMore than 40 years after Erica Jong coined the term “zipless fuck” in Fear of Flying, her feminist novel of a young woman’s quest for sex with no... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book promises #erica jong #self-published authors #strings attached #21st century #major hit #st martin #sexual revolution


Age shall not weary them: Diana Athill, 97, and Edna O'Brien, 84, are stars of London book fair

Athill will publish Alive, Alive Oh! next year, it is revealed, while O’Brien has a new novel about love on the wayDiana Athill published her previous memoir, a Costa award-winning, and bestselling, reflection on ageing and death, at the age of 90. Intending it to be her final book, she called... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #diana athill #final book #99th birthday #great fun


HarperCollins Hosts Home House London Book Fair Opener

Powerful publishing personalities partied at HarperCollins' annual London Book Fair opening night party , exhibiting the influence the publisher still holds. The post HarperCollins Hosts Home House London Book Fair Opener appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


London Book Fair 2015: Some Growing Pains in Return to Olympia

Publishers said the Olympia is a nice venue, but that didn't stop many from getting lost during the first few days of the London Book Fair. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #growing pains


London Book Fair 2015: After Film Deal, ‘Maestra’ Set as Launch for Bonnier’s Zaffre

A racy novel picking up attention at the London Book Fair has officially been set as the launch title of the new adult fiction imprint at Bonnier. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #launch title #film deal


London Book Fair 2015: Self-Publishing Smashes Through

With self-publishing now a popular part of the London Book Fair, PW checks in with Smashwords founder Mark Coker about what the future holds. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #future holds


London Book Fair 2015: Brazil’s Race to Digital

What is holding back ebooks in Brazil? PublishNews Brazil's Carlo Carrenho looks at three surmountable hurdles, and a digital book market waiting to take off. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishnews brazil


Janet Ellis novels among raft of pre-Fair deals

Two Roads has acquired two novels by actress and ex-"Blue Peter" presenter Janet Ellis in a deal done just before the London Book Fair. Meanwhile Chatto & Windus, Hodder & Stoughton, Serpent's Tail and Penguin Press are among the other publishers announcing pre-LBF deals. Lisa Highton,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pre-fair deals #blue peter #chatto windus #hodder stoughton #penguin press #lisa highton #janet ellis #gordon wise #curtis brown