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John Kenney talks turning down Potter

John Kenney, an editor who declined to publish 'Philosopher's Stone', has spoken in The International Herald Tribune about why he chose to turn down Potter. He insists that he does not regret the decision and refers to parts of the book as 'drivel'.

Quote:

February, perhaps March of the next year, I received a call from J.K. Rowling herself. She asked if I had had a chance to read her manuscript. I'm always embarrassed when fledgling writers get me on the phone. Most are sad, lonely people with no real means of income.

I said I enjoyed her work a great deal, but that it didn't meet our needs at this time - the standard industry brushoff. There was a pause and I thought the line had gone dead when I heard laughing. "Mr. Wortham," she said with a light British accent. "I was calling as a courtesy, actually. To tell you that I sold the book. To Scholastic. For..." The line went dead. Or perhaps I passed out. I forget which.

My wife left me. Did I mention that?

Quote:

At lunch some time later I overheard our chief executive talking about the success of the Rowling book. So I happened to mention, with a chuckle, that we'd had a chance to buy it.

Why is it that one remembers a long pause? "Chief?" I said, though to this day I don't know why, as no one called him that. "You what?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. "May I speak with you in my office?"

Read the rest of the very funny article at The International Herald Tribune

Source: Writers Blog via VTM

Hahahaha! Poor poor man.

Lol did he get a slap on the wrost of his P45?

There's a distinct tone of sarcasm throughout the piece -- which is actually funny. Took me a while to realise that as a result of that meeting, he got fired and now works with fish guts as a result. Although I doubt that's true. Satire is brilliant but I very much doubt he doesn't regret it.

I really feel sorry for him:head:. What if he accepted:eyebrows:? He would have been very rich...

Poor guy...*sighs* But you said no? What were you on???

<_<His wife must be super hard core Harry Potter fan if she left him because of that...Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude.<_<

And there are no parts in any of the books that are dribble. None.<_<

this guy mustve been tough.......
yes it probably seems he doesnt regret his decision cuz if he did he wud probably have gone crazy thinking abt how much money he cud have made with this successfull a book..which went on to become a series.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcella_Riddle

lol if it is true i bet the guy spends most of his day in tears! as there is no way to escape HP

Oh well... Really... Like... Dude... The guy is... o_O.... Crazy... XD hehe

HAHAHA look what he missed otu on!! lol

lol, i bet he regrets turnin it dwn now

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcella_Riddle

I doubt it as well! Can you say 'saving face'?

He's definetly wishes that he hadn't had turned it down, he just probably wnts to make himself look better. If i was his boss i'd be pissed

How crazy! That sucks for that particular publisher, but at least JK got her story out... and thank goodness she did! Imagine a world without HP!? haha

LOL that poor guy. Turning down Potter.... lol :-)

eeek that's gotta hurt. But that's what happens when risks aren't taken I suppose.

he seems depressed. But happy about it.....

Aw, I feel kinda bad for the guy. He couldnt have known it would be so big!

Quote:

His wife must be super hard core Harry Potter fan if she left him because of that...Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude.

That might not have been the real reason, but if it was then thats funny in a sad sort of way.

If I turned Harry Potter down, my god I'd want to kick myself!

He's an idiot, but I guess he wasn't 2 know it would turn out this big.

Haha - well, it's nice he has the presence of mind to make us all laugh about it.

well, its his fault but at least we get a good laugh about it
*rolls around laughing uncontrollably on the floor*

If he thought it was drivel, he must be dumb.