George Lakoff's highly-anticipated new book ("Whose Freedom?") has one great shortcoming that practically no one will notice - it is being published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. Up until "Don't Think of an Elephant," George was publishing through the University of Chicago Press, and for "Elephant" he went to independent powerhouse Chelsea Green - a wise choice, and the perfect vehicle for the message.
Now, after becoming a household name and the darling of progressive media, he signs with a New York power-house and dumps Chelsea Green. There may have been politics and other factors involved, I don't know the details...
But I do know that this was a huge blow to smaller independent book publishers. Jennifer Nix, formerly at Chelsea Green, wrote a great piece some time back about how progressive authors need to walk their talk and sign with the smaller independent houses that are representative of the very change they espouse - a lesson that seems to have gone unheard. How is it that we can talk about the need for a groundswell of grassroots action when our leaders abandon the paddock?
Is it about the fat advances they can get from wealthier publishers? Possibly, but let's face it - these authors are not hurting for cash. Is it about getting wider coverage and exposure? Not likely, a lot of smaller-mid level independents have this ability (as evidenced by "Elephant"). Is it about a lack of smaller, independent publishers? Um, definitely not. So what is it about?
I don't want to venture guesses, and I do not mean to isolate Lakoff as the sole violator here - just the latest and most visible in a long and unfortunate string. I have attempted to contact Lakoff on numerous occasions for an explanation with no luck or response - but that's another story.