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John Blake buys rejected Goody

16.05.08 Alison Flood

Jade Goody is to write a follow-up to her bestselling autobiography for John Blake, after HarperCollins cancelled publication of the paperback last year following controversy over her "Celebrity Big Brother" appearance.

Jade: Living and Learning is due this October (£18.99, h/b). Managing director John Blake said Goody would discuss her time in the "Big Brother" house, where she caused a media storm with apparent racist remarks to house-mate Shilpa Shetty; her subsequent trip to India to smooth over the situation; and her time in the Priory. He promised "witty anecdotes and heart-rending tales, all told with Jade's usual humour and unique turn of phrase".

"It's an interesting situation," Blake said. "HarperCollins sold close to 90,000 copies in hardback, then she went on television and somewhat disgraced herself. HC then pulled the paperback altogether. Along with Salman Rushdie, she's one of the very few authors whose book has been pulled for political reasons. It's very, very rare for people to get censored in this day and age."

Blake bought the book from Sean O'Brien, with whom he had worked as a journalist at the Sunday People. "He approached us directly," Blake said. "I first thought: 'Goodness I'm not sure', then I realised how incredibly honest she is. Lots of my friends in magazines have told me that if they put Jade on the cover, the circulation goes up. I think that people have taken the view that she's a young woman who did something very stupid, and now bitterly regrets it—she's very contrite."

Blake originally considered publishing the paperback that HC rejected, but decided to go for a totally new title. He has high hopes that Jade: Living and Learning will match HC's sales for Jade: My Autobiography, which sold more than 88,000 copies according to Nielsen BookScan.

John Blake said it already has significant serial interest in the title. Goody, 26, will be interviewed on television programmes including "Richard & Judy" and "This Morning", as well as taking part in a full publicity campaign.

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Comments on this article

By Jen

This has made my week. Another brilliant follow-up to look forward to. I especially enjoy the comparison to Rushdie.

16 May 08 14:12

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By yampie

"Jade is going to write..." write? LMFAO

16 May 08 14:24

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By friend of rachel worth

So was is she being published because she is "incredibly honest" or "if they put Jade on the cover the circulation goes up"? Lets not pretend this is a life lessons mission - John Blake has bought it becasue he thinks he can sell a shed load. And the sad thing is he is probably right

16 May 08 14:43

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By Haydane

Very good! I can't wait to read it. It will inspire me to write! John Blake knows what he is doing! There are a lot of people who want to read trash because they can compare it to their own lives and either laugh or get depressed, either way, Jade is a strange being that does strange things and people are intrigued by such behaviour. Well done!

17 May 08 09:12

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By Jennifer Williams

That's excellent news. John Blake is one of the finest publishers in the business, and has certainly backed another winner here. Jade Goody's story is one of the most intriguing in modern times, and I look forward to reading it enormously.

17 May 08 14:21

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By LEON

This book will definitely be part of the return of Jade Goody. If it sells well, magazines, newspapers and the public will put her back where she was - http://www.leonbaileygreen.com/index.php/site/permalink/jade_goody_living_and_learning_book/

18 May 08 20:45

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By Jake Blon

It'll be very interesting to see how well this performs. Part of me thinks that the British public will not forgive her for her outrageous, racist bullying in the last series of the now-defunct 'Celebrity Big Brother' and will therefore boycott the book. And part of me thinks the public will buy the book in the hope she offers some sort of an apology. It would be interesting to know the ethnic background of the buyers come its October release - book burnings to make a comeback?? And it'll also be interesting to see whether retailers cross promote the book alongside 'Shilpa Shetty: The Biography' also published by, shock horror, John Blake.

18 May 08 22:23

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By roger sadler

Well done - look forward to a good read - Jades back and will cheer us all up - and well done Living TV as well. Thanks.

23 May 08 14:44

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