$2 million advance for Jann Wenner biography

YankeeFan · Mar 24, 2014

Nice payday:

Jann Wenner, the founder and publisher of Rolling Stone, and an influential figure in the history of rock and roll, will soon have his own tale told. Joe Hagan, a contributing editor at New York magazine, will write a biography of Mr. Wenner for the Knopf imprint of Penguin Random House.

Knopf is paying $2 million for world English language rights to the book, according to a person familiar with the deal. It will be published in time for Rolling Stone’s 50th anniversary in 2017.

Mr. Hagan—who was a former contributing editor at Rolling Stone and its sister title Men’s Journal and began his career as an intern at Rolling Stone—will have access to Mr. Wenner and all of his archives, the spokesman said. The biography will be unauthorized, however, meaning that Mr. Wenner will not have control over its content.

Asked about the acquisition price, the spokesman declined to comment on the figure. “It’s a good pay day for Joe,” he said.

The book, as yet untitled, was kept under lock and key throughout the sale process. Instead of taking the usual route of submitting a proposal to publishing houses, Janklow & Nesbit agent PJ Mark invited editors to read the 100-page proposal in the agency’s office in midtown.

The chairman and one of the founders of the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame Foundation, Mr. Wenner has a reputation as a mercurial manager of his publications, which also include celebrity title Us Weekly. But he also made Rolling Stone into an influential and groundbreaking publication in the areas of culture and politics as well as popular music.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20140319/MEDIA_ENTERTAINMENT/140319838/jann-wenner-biography-in-the-works
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Dick Whitman · Mar 25, 2014

That's Posnanski money!

Mizzougrad96 · Mar 25, 2014

I can't wait to read the book, but that's crazy money that they will never make back.

Michael_ Gee · Mar 25, 2014

I am not interested enough in Jann Wenner to buy this book, and besides, the juicy rock history bits will all be presented in reviews and such, sparing me the trouble. This is going to be what Washington calls an "index book," where people read it index-first to see if they're in it.

Walter Burns · Mar 25, 2014

I can't wait to read his behind-the-scenes tales of his time on "Crime Story."

DanOregon · Mar 25, 2014

sad - I just realized I've seen every one of Jann Wenner's roles Almost Famous, Jerry McGuire, Perfect and Crime Story..he's no George Plimpton.

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$2 million advance for Jann Wenner biography

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