(DailyChive.com) – Publishing powerhouse Simon & Schuster has dealt a significant blow to conservative journalist Alex Thompson by ending their partnership for a deep dive into the Biden administration. This reflects a broader trend of limited interest in books centered on President Joe Biden, contrasting sharply with the immense attention given to works about his predecessor, Donald Trump.
Thompson, renowned for his insightful political reporting, had signed a deal with Simon & Schuster in early 2021 to document Biden’s presidency. Promising fresh insights from the corridors of power, the book was expected to provide an insider’s view into the White House transition. However, as the proposed release date approached, the publisher decided to end the collaboration, indicating a challenging market for narratives centered on Biden.
While Thompson confirmed the termination of the contract on X (formerly Twitter), he remains committed to bringing the Biden story to light, aiming for a 2025 release. He extended an invitation to potential publishers interested in the project.
Sales figures for Biden-themed books pale compared to the overwhelming success of works dissecting Trump’s presidency. Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury” sold nearly a million copies. At the same time, recent offerings like Gabriel Debenedetti’s “The Long Alliance” and Chris Whipple’s “The Fight of His Life” struggled to gain traction.
Politico’s analysis paints a grim picture of the Biden book market, with titles failing to capture readers’ interest. This subdued interest sharply contrasts with the emotional appetite for narratives about Trump’s “controversial-mix” tenure.
Jonathan Allen of NBC News points to Biden’s deliberate efforts to maintain a drama-free administration, a stark departure from Trump’s chaotic style. While commendable for good governance, this approach poses a challenge for authors aiming to craft compelling narratives.
Eric Nelson of Broadside Books echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the struggle to portray Biden as a compelling protagonist. With persisting monikers like “Sleepy Joe” and a presidency perceived as lacking dramatic episodes, authors face the daunting task of transforming mundane governance into riveting prose.
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