Sarah Palin To Pen Memoir

Book Will Come Out In 2010, The Year She Faces Reelection; Contract Terms Not Disclosed

(AP)  You knew it was coming: Sarah Palin is ready to tell her side, agreeing to publish a memoir with HarperCollins. The book comes out in Spring 2010 - the year she is up for re-election.

"There's been so much written about and spoken about in the mainstream media and in the anonymous blogosphere world, that this will be a wonderful, refreshing chance for me to get to tell my story, that a lot of people have asked about, unfiltered," the Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate said during a brief telephone interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.

Palin's memoir, currently untitled, will cover her personal and political life, from her childhood in Alaska and last year's campaign to her political beliefs and her family life, including the pregnancy of her teenage daughter, Bristol Palin, who gave birth in December to a baby boy, Tripp. (She and the baby's father, Levi Johnston, have since ended their relationship.)

"In fairness to my family, this is going be a good opportunity for them, too, because there have been so many misperceptions out there about who we are and what we believe in, and I'm excited to get to put my journalism degree to work and tell my story as it relates to my family," said Palin, 45, who in 1987 graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in journalism.

Palin declined to name any specific misunderstandings and avoided detailed comments about her family, her political aspirations or about the divide in the Republican Party between moderates and conservatives, a divide her vice presidential run helped widen.

A Palin book has been rumored virtually from the time the election ended. Although Republicans Sen. John McCain and Palin were easily beaten by Democrats Barack Obama and Joseph Biden, Palin emerged a favorite among conservatives, an object of tabloid gossip and - as the only candidate in the race who had never written a memoir - a natural for a publishing deal.

The book will be co-released by the HarperCollins imprint Harper and, for the Christian market, by the HarperCollins-owned Zondervan, which publishes "The Purpose Driven Life" author Rick Warren, among others.

A memoir (or two) have become a virtual requirement for White House seekers, especially after Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" and "Dreams From My Father" established him as a stylist and storyteller with a vast following.

Although Palin denied any presidential ambition during Tuesday's interview, she did pick the most presidential of literary representatives, Washington attorney Robert Barnett, to handle negotiations. Barnett's clients include Obama and former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

As he did when arranging a publisher for memoirs by Bush and Clinton, Barnett did not solicit competing bids, but chose to negotiate only with one publisher, HarperCollins, which Barnett praised for being "first and fervent in pursuing this project." Financial terms were not disclosed, but Palin was widely expected to get a multimillion-dollar contract. Barnett and Harper publisher Jonathan Burnham both declined to offer details.

If terms of the book deal aren't leaked by next spring, at least some of the details will be revealed in Palin's next financial disclosure forms with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Income next must be reported on March 15, 2010. However, if she isn't paid in full by Dec. 31, some income may fall over to the next year's report.

Palin's book will address, and complicate, the push-pull between home and public life. With the release date just one year away, the governor will have to work quickly. Barnett said that the governor has formed an outline in her mind, but has yet to start writing. Burnham said Palin did not submit any writing samples when she met with HarperCollins executives in Washington, earlier this year. She will work with a collaborator, to be determined.

"She's obviously going to be engaged in the whole process of the book," said Burnham, adding that the role of the collaborator would depend on who was chosen.

"Every word of the book will be her words," Barnett said.

Palin and Burnham said the memoir will emphasize Palin's Alaskan upbringing, and the governor will talk about her "unpretentious" lifestyle. Burnham described the book as the story of an Alaskan encountering a national audience, "the soccer mom and the political operative, and how one became the other."

Palin has never written a book and her critics, noting her disjointed , have questioned whether she could. Two years ago, Palin told PBS' Charlie Rose that her favorite writers were C.S. Lewis ("very, very deep") and a Runner's World columnist, Dr. George Sheehan. Asked Tuesday about her reading, Palin mentioned that she "really enjoyed" Katharine Graham's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Personal History" and cited works by Obama, McCain and Bill Clinton, whose "My Life" she read "just recently."

"Being a voracious reader, I read a lot today and have read a lot growing up. And having that journalism degree, all of that, will be a great assistance for me in writing this book, talking about the challenges and the joys, balancing the work and parenting, and, in my case, work means running the state," Palin said.

Under the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act, the governor and any head of a state agency are prohibited from having outside employment. But the book deal would fall under another provision of the act outlining outside services for a financial benefit.

Judy Bockmon, an assistant attorney general, said it appears the book deal would be permissible under the act as long it is not incompatible with Palin's official responsibilities and she doesn't use state resources, like her staff or her office, for personal gain.

[egresor]

All of the Palin's hater cracks me up. The hypocrisy, sexist, ignorant and stereotyping just reenforced what a lib is all about.
Posted by ReallyMeanIt

==

it isn't that we hate her....we don't like hypocrites!

[ReallyMeanIt]

All of the Palin's hater cracks me up. The hypocrisy, sexist, ignorant and stereotyping just reenforced what a lib is all about.

[from_the_north]

Wow - this should be funny. Does she intend to include her experiences killing animals for fun, or how she came to her "no premaritial sex ( for other peoples teens)" theory and how to acquire an expensive wardrobe at other peoples cost? Or will she invent memories? Can't wait to read it (Library version). The Limbaughricans will make make it a best seller then she will be able to afford her own clothes.

[SanityPlease]

Name of book could be:

A BRIDGE TO NOWHERE- by -SARAH PALIN
From Alaska to VP candidate to nowhere.
How I got to be a nobody from being a nobody.

[ladypirate2]

Vet_Turner: First of all she's NOT illiterate! She can read and write as well as anyone and better than most and probably better than you can! Don't forget she is one of the few who actually read the so called "stimulus" bill and didn't just mindlessly accept it without reading it like most of the democratic politicians did! She actually read it to find out what was actually in it. That's why she didn't sign it! Also the book WILL be written because she's already signed a contract with the publisher.

Also you will be very surprised at what will be in it. I imagine she has every bit as many memoirs to write about as Barack Obama and probably more. She has certainly faced more adversity and infinitely more character attacks than he every has!

Also I think her book will be very interesting because I imagine she is going to expose a lot of corruptness in both the democrat and republican parties and bring to light a lot of things that many people want to keep hidden. You can count on one thing, her book will probably cause controversy and make some people mad. A lot of things in our government and about our politicians should be brought to light though. They've been hidden far too long!

And another thing, haven't you ever heard of home offices with computers and phones? She doesn't actually have to be in Juneau to be doing her job as governor! Even when she's at home in Wasilla her secretaries and assistants in Juneau can easily contact her!

[p_syrus]

No doubt it will soon be in the "illustrated novel" section of your local bookstore, next to "300".

[ladypirate2]

enriquecaliente: She didn't freeze! She just refused to answer an insult! The question implied that Alaskans don't read!

[ladypirate2]

lucasnico: You will see if the book is fiction or not and if my comment is fiction or not when the book hits the bookstores next spring! I think you liberals and Palin haters are in for a BIG SURPRISE and you won't like your surprise at all!

[nirak2-2009]

Are there people who actually pay for her book?

Hold on folks, in a couple of month it will be available for a couple of bucks at your local book store.

[lucasnico]

Want to know what would burn you liberals and Palin haters up? If her book becomes the number one best seller and she makes millions!

Posted by ladypirate2

hard to tell what is a greater piece of fiction......the book, or your comment.

[norcalruss]

Wonderful! Sarah Plain is writing a book. Will crayons be included or must they be purchased seperately? LMAO!!!!

[velma179]

Regardless of whether you like/support/agree with Sarah Palin or not.....

Isn't a "memoir" a bit of a stretch for someone her age?

So what will she then write when she's older/retired?

I would make this point for anyone, nothing personal......

[ReallyMeanIt]

I sure hope she runs for President again.
lol!
Posted by BeckieBest at 10:03 AM : May 13, 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a perfect example of a liberal democrat. She really believes what she are saying even though it's not factual.
With sheep like this, barrack should be happy........

[ReallyMeanIt]

Will this book have words, or just pictures you can color?
Posted by slownewsday05
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Don't worry, there'll be a color picture version for the liberal dems..............
Remember, the colors of our flag are red, white and blue....don't messed it up.

[environmental_wacko]

Obama's Poll approval went up again today 67% average----- Repiglicans at 20% and falling. Thank You God for answering our fervent prayers.
Posted by endeaver-2009 at 12:01 PM : May 13, 2009


Limbaughricans are selfish little piggies and God was watching. LMAO!

[specialty8]

endeaver,
Do you think Obamas poll went up again because of the stock market looking like near collapse, dropping again, or the good news on where the stimulis money he shoved through congress ended up?

[enriquecaliente]

"Being a voracious reader, I read a lot today and have read a lot growing up. And having that journalism degree, all of that, will be a great assistance for me in writing this book".

She's kidding right. If she's such a voracious reader, then why did she freeze like a deer in headlights when Kate asked her simple questions like, "what papers do you read.?"

[Vet_Turner]

ladypirate2, first she will not write the book - she is nearly illiterate. Two, what has she done that she needs to write memoirs? Oh, that 's right. She took per dium while living at home while she was supposed to be Juneau being the Gov.

A few chapter titles?

Keeping an eye on Russia
Gettin' Rid of Geezer Politicians
How Not to Prevent Your Daughter from Gettin' Preggers
Snow Mobile Guys are the Best
You can Come from Anywhere and Still be Stupid
How to be Interviewed on the TV
Here's a Good Name for Your Next Kid

[ladypirate2]

guess the statement that Sarah's obstetrician wrote last fall wasn't good enough for you! Besides, Trig's birth really isn't anyone's business but the Palin family's! However, there would be no controversy about his birth if people would just think and use a little common sense and learn to count to nine! Trig was born in April, 2008. That fact was stated in the statement issued by Sarah's obstetrician. THERE IS NO WAY ON EARTH BRISTOL COULD GIVE BIRTH TO ANOTHER FULL TERM BABY JUST EIGHT MONTHS LATER IN DECEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR! It can't be done! It takes nine full months to carry a baby to full term! Tripp was a full term nine months baby who weighed over seven pounds! He was not in any way premature. If Trig were Bristol's child, Tripp would not have been born until late January at the earliest!

Take your meds and go back to bed.
Posted by rixmix98 at 4:42 AM : May 13, 2009

Why don't you take yours and stay in bed and off this comment board!