Inside James Patterson’s Fiction Factory

By Jason Boog 

mahler.jpgGalleyCat readers have a love-hate relationship with mega-bestselling authors like James Patterson. On the one hand, they generate massive sales during this publishing recession; but on the other hand, they draw attention and resources away from less popular authors.

Today’s guest on the Morning Media Menu was Jonathan Mahler (pictured), a contributing writer at the New York Times Magazine and author of the book “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning.” He discussed his New York Times Magazine cover story about the mega-bestselling author, James Patterson. He shared tidbits about the author’s handwritten drafts and relationships with his writing assistants.

Here’s an amazing excerpt from Mahler’s essay: “Since 2006, one out of every 17 hardcover books bought in the United States was written by James Patterson. He is listed in the latest edition of ‘Guinness World Records,’ published last fall, as the author with the most New York Times best sellers, 45, but that number is already out of date: he now has 51–35 of which went to No. 1.”

Ultimately, Mahler ruled that Patterson had a mixed impact on the publishing industry. He weighed the negative effects of blockbuster publishing against this benefit: “without profits from blockbusters like his, publishers wouldn’t have the resources to publish more literary, less mass-market works.” Find out why during this exclusive interview.

If you want more, you can listen to all the past podcasts archived at mediabistro.com or download episodes for free on iTunes. Click here to download the MP3 version.

Editor’s note: This updated version of the post contains a clarifying quote from Mahler.