Knopf announced last week that it will release former President Bill Clinton's memoir in late June. And BookExpo America officials said Clinton will give the keynote address at this year's show.
Knopf has set a 1.5 million-copy first printing for My Life, and Sonny Mehta, president and editor-in-chief of Knopf, said the book "tells an extraordinary story."
The publisher declined to specify tour details. "Right now we're speaking only in adjectives—and it will be extensive," said spokesperson Paul Bogaards. The house said it won't be announcing serialization or offering more on content for the time being, though Bogaards, who said he had read much of the manuscript, described Clinton as "someone with a real authorial voice."
As for timing, Bogaards said the decision was "driven by publishing concerns," not politics. Late June "is the optimal window for the book. People are looking for good books to read in the summertime," he said.
Excluding his appearance before the Random sales force last week, Clinton's first promotional effort for My Life will be June 3 in Chicago. His address will be held in the Grand Ballroom in the McCormick Place convention center; the free event is open to all BEA attendees.
