Following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct leveled at the author, W.W. Norton announced that it will cease publication of the newly released edition of Blake Bailey’s Philip Roth: The Biography, as well as Bailey’s 2014 memoir The Splendid Things We Planned, and take both works out of print.
In an email statement, Norton said it is “putting out of print our editions of Philip Roth: The Biography and The Splendid Things We Planned, Blake Bailey's 2014 memoir.” The publisher added: “Mr. Bailey will be free to seek publication elsewhere if he chooses.”
In addition, Norton said, it “will make a donation in the amount of the book advance for Philip Roth: The Biography to organizations that fight against sexual assault or harassment and work to protect survivors.”
Bailey’s biography of Roth was released on April 8 with a 50,000 copy first printing. The stunning decision to cease publication of a major literary biography follows action taken last week by Norton to halt shipments and all promotions for the title “pending any further information that may emerge.”
Allegations of inappropriate conduct towards young students in the 1990s as well as more recent, multiple allegations of rape, were leveled at Bailey last week. Bailey has denied the accusations.
