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?'


Hot Book Trends from the Göteborg Book Fair

Saskia Vogel documents the hot book trends from the Goteborg Book Fair, including feminist texts, literary fiction, and more. The post Hot Book Trends from the Göteborg Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #literary fiction


Is Social Media Marketing Heaven or Hell?

HarperCollins UK’s Sam Missingham argues there’s no better way to promote books than social media, but you really have to work at it. The post Is Social Media Marketing Heaven or Hell? appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #harpercollins uk #promote books


Dan Brown, Arabic Authors to Star at Sharjah Book Fair

Dan Brown's talk at the Sharjah Book Fair, his first fair appearance outside the US, will be televised throughout the Arab world. The post Dan Brown, Arabic Authors to Star at Sharjah Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #dan brown #arab world


Cairo Book Fair to Launch Professional Program

In 2015 the Cairo International Book Fair will launch its first-ever professional program, which will run from January 29 through 31. The post Cairo Book Fair to Launch Professional Program appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #professional program


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: Attendance Dips, But Modestly

Frankfurt officials reported that 140,291 trade visitors attended the 2014 fair, down less than 2% from last year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: Self-Publishing Gains Traction

On Saturday, more than 150,000 members of the public storm the gates of the Frankfurt Book Fair, many dressed in costume. The question these days is: how many of these fans have books in them? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: How to Outcompete Amazon? Think 'Reader'

Chris Kubica argues that the book business has so far been too content to put the future of reading in the hands of others, and offers 8 ideas to change that. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book business


Download: Friday’s Frankfurt Book Fair 2014 Show Daily

Get the latest news from the Frankfurt Book Fair, including publisher interviews, discussions with book industry thought leaders, event listings and more. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #latest news


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: UCLA Historian Peter Baldwin on the 'Copyright Wars'

PW catches up with UCLA history professor Peter Baldwin, whose new book, The Copyright Wars: Three Centuries of TransAtlantic Battle, looks at copyright's complex past, and uncertain future. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pw catches #uncertain future


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: Canadian Poet Goes to FSG in Major Deal

In a deal closed shortly before the fair got underway, Trident Media’s Ellen Levine sold a debut novel to Farrar, Straus & Giroux’s Jonathan Galassi for a figure rumored to be in the substantial six figure range. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #canadian poet #major deal #trident media #straus giroux #jonathan galassi


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: 'You Have to Try Things,' Says HarperCollins' Murray

It's been a time of expansion, and experimentation, HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray told a Frankfurt Book Fair audience, from the acquisition of Harlequin, to new strategies such as direct to consumer models, and subscription access. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #subscription access


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: Paulo Coelho Tells Publishers "Don't Be Greedy"

At a standing room only session at the Frankfurt Book Fair, bestselling Brazilian author Paula Coelho had a message for publishers: Embrace change. And, lower your ebook prices. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #standing room #embrace change #ebook prices


French Fair Set for Hunter College

Looking to take advantage of the growing interest in French dual-language programs (DLP), the first Bilingual Education Fair of New York is set to be held this weekend at New York City’s Hunter College. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #growing interest


Download: Thursday’s Frankfurt Book Fair 2014 Show Daily

Download our Frankfurt Show Daily for Thursday, 9 October. This issue includes a report on HarperCollins' international plans, interviews with publishers from around the world and more. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


One Question Interviews at the Frankfurt Book Fair

Publishing Perspectives spoke with Sam Elsworthy of the New Zealand Publishers Association, Jacques Testard of Fitzcarraldo Editions, Ailish White and Hannah Lyons of Liberties Press. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #fitzcarraldo editions


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: CCC Hosts Open Access Town Hall

At a packed, two-hour town hall in Hall 4.2, the Copyright Clearance Center examined the shift to Open Access publishing, and the next steps in its development. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Download: Wednesday’s Frankfurt Book Fair 2014 Show Daily

Download our Frankfurt Book Fair Show Daily for Wednesday, 8 October 2014 to find out what was discussed in the Tuesday conferences and what's going on at the Fair today. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: Spanish Author’s Short Novel Causes Stir

Amid a flurry of seven-figure deals igniting this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair—many for books by first-time American authors—a short Spanish novel has generated buzz, and some hefty advances. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #spanish author


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: Four Questions for Samsung's Rory O'Neill

Rory O’Neill, Samsung's marketing director for European Telecommunications Operations, talked about the company's foray into books at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #marketing director


Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: Publishers Urged to Reclaim Copyright Debate

Copyright is "more important than it has ever been," but has the copyright debate been hijacked by anti-copyright forces, including those in the tech sector? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishers urged #tech sector