Publisher: Jayson Blair Book Will Surprise Readers

By: Joe Strupp Less than a month before publication of "Burning Down My Master's House," by disgraced former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair, the book's publisher claims it will surprise readers because it includes few excuses for what Blair did. He told E&P that Blair takes the blame for nearly all of what occurred, citing a sentence on the first page that states, "I lied, I lied, I lied."

"The person he is most critical of is himself," said Michael Viner, president of New Millennium Audio and Press, which will publish the Blair book on March 6 (and release audio and CD copies as well). "It is not an excuse book. The tone is not what so many of these books do, which is excuse their actions."

Viner claims advance orders are forcing a second printing, beyond the planned 100,000 copies, with a second run likely reaching at least 20,000 copies. "We have advance sales orders in the six figures," he said.

Blair's first interview about the book will occur on March 5 as part of a segment on "Dateline," the NBC newsmagazine, followed by a "Today" show appearance the following morning, Viner said. "They have done tapings already -- they are spending a lot of time with him," he added. In addition, Blair will appear on CNN's "Larry King Live."

Blair appears to be faring less well in the print realm. Viner claimed Variety would run an excerpt from the book, expecting it to occur shortly before the publication date. For a high-profile book, Variety is rarely near the top of the list for an exclusive excerpt, however.

"That was the place I wanted it," he told E&P when asked which other publications he'd approached about excerpts. "In terms of the media paying attention, it is the bible."

But when asked about an excerpt deal, Variety Editor-in-Chief Peter Bart denied that such an agreement had occurred, saying that his editors were still reviewing the book for a possible 350- to 400-word Op Ed piece. "We have no idea at this point what we might do," Bart told E&P on Friday. "We have not had a chance to read the book and decide."

Viner has disputed reports that Blair had received a $500,000 advance for the book, but would not reveal the exact amount. He did say that Blair had decided to set aside a portion of his advance for charitable causes, including possible scholarships at his alma mater, the University of Maryland. "It will be up to him what the amount will be," Viner said. "But it will be enough for more than one scholarship. He did not want to promote that and make it a promotional device, he just wanted to do it."

The book recounts Blair's infamous acts of plagiarism, lying, and severe ethical abuse during his stint at the Times (Click for QuikCap), which eventually led to his resignation in May 2003 and the departures of former executive editor Howell Raines and managing editor Gerald Boyd.