As many as 100,000 copies of a book by liberal gadfly Michael Moore are languishing in a HarperCollins warehouse as the author and publisher negotiate its fate.
The book, Stupid White Men and Other Excuses for the State of the Nation, was scheduled to come out on September 11, with Moore slated to tour shortly afterward. Like many others in this situation, Moore's tour was put on hold. HC, however, thinking portions of the title had now become inappropriate, went a step further and decided not to distribute the book. Moore, agent Morton Janklow and Regan Books are now in discussions over whether the book should simply come out with a new explanation or be pulped. If it is destroyed, it is unclear at this point whether a new book would be written or distributed.
Regan Books editorial director Cal Morgan wouldn't identify the questionable material, except to say that "as much as anything, it's a matter of publishing a book about the world situation when the world situation has changed." Moore, however, told a civic group in New Jersey that it is his criticisms of the Bush administration that concern Harper.
Janklow said that he and his client believe "the book can be published as is," but he "understands" how the publisher might think otherwise. Moore told the New Jersey group that he had heard from Harper that the house would not distribute the book. Janklow told PW he hoped the matter would be settled within a few days.
Morgan wouldn't comment on the exact number of copies that have already been printed, or if, in fact, they would get pulped. Morgan said it "remained to be seen" what would happen to the copies gathering dust in the warehouse. Moore told a group in Wisconsin, "There's 100,000 copies sitting in a warehouse in Pennsylvania," according to a local newspaper, the Capitol Times.
The book cannot be found in the Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com or Baker & Taylor databases. Nor does Moore's own site make reference to the title. Moore has published several titles with Regan, but has no contract for future books with the imprint.
