Need full text of Double Day statement defending James Frey

January 20, 2006 8:30 AM

How to find the full text of the public statement issued by DoubleDay defending James Frey?

Here are extracts of the text from New York Times:
"Memoir is a personal history whose aim is to illuminate, by way of example, events and issues of broader social consequence......Recent accusations against him notwithstanding, the power of the overall reading experience is such that the book remains a deeply inspiring and redemptive story for millions of readers."

I have searched everywhere and two librarians suggest I called up the publisher but the pubisher will only entertain people from the media and I am only a student of the media ---- too small fry for them to bother with. Yes, this is what Mr Russell Perreault of DoubleDay/Random House more or less said to me on the phone.

If somebody can email the following guy for the full text I will really appreciate it. He has the copy and he will only deal with the media. Thanks a million.
Mr Russell Perreault
[e-mail]
[phone]

posted by studentguru to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Well, my advice to you is: now is the time, as a student of the media, to learn to not take a "no" from a publicist. I know, they're devilish. I feel your pain.

(And while Doubleday did release that statement, the imprint publisher wasn't as supportive in some ways, btw.)
posted by RJ Reynolds at 9:36 AM on January 20, 2006

Are you actually a journalism student or by "student of the media" do you just mean you're curious about this?

If this is for an article or something, just say you're a freelance writer.

If it's not, well then Mr. Russell is right...it's not his job to distribute free copies of press releases to random joes. It is to...well, deal with the media.
posted by lampoil at 10:31 AM on January 20, 2006

Response by poster:
Thank you for your enlightened answers so far. I have learned a couple of tricks from your answers.

Sometimes I wonder what these publicists have to hide by rationing the release of a public statement.

I am a student of media and the truth --- your random joe with curiosity to burn and who one day hopes to become rich and powerful just like Oprah so that hacks like Russell Perreault will entertain me beyond their call of duty.

Hacks like Russell Perreault is one big reason why I want to be rich and powerful so that I can save him from himself one day :)

Looks like in order to get at the truth and a copy of this public statement I have to employ the same unsavory tactic that I hold James Frey in contempt for ------ lie through my teeth and assuming a persona I am not entitled to ---- talk about swimming with the sharks.

By the way, out of this whole sorry mess about James Frey, the best thing I have discovered is the brilliant John Dolan . He is so brilliant he knew James Frey was a fraud back in 2003 :

http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/30910/

http://www.exile.ru/2003-May-29/book_review.html

I will still appreciate it if somebody can be kind enough to post the full text of the public statement here.

Anyone? Help.
posted by studentguru at 4:20 PM on January 20, 2006

Ah, just saw in my old notes: call Alison Rich, VP of Publicity, Doubleday 212/782-9787.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 12:09 PM on January 21, 2006

Response by poster: Thanks a milion.

I will try Rich next Monday.

You are the best.
posted by studentguru at 1:27 PM on January 21, 2006