On my previous blog Madame Arcati, I wrote a number of times about the Duchess of York and the non-appearance of her historical novel Hartmoor that she was co-writing with the eye-catchingly named US author Laura Van Wormer.
I now understand that a UK newspaper is about to claim that Fergie took a $500,000 advance from the St Martin's publishers and basically did a runner, with little or nothing to show. The story is based on an account by a former employee of the hapless duchess.
The truth is, however, somewhat different. My information is that she received approximately $100,000 on signing a contract with St Martin's in 2005 or 2006. The contract may well have been worth half a mill, but this was contingent on delivery and publication.
Alas, creative differences arose between Fergie and her publishers. She envisaged an early 19th Century historical adventure set in and around the War of 1812 with America. The editorial shirts wanted in effect a drawing-room romance. As far as I know, the result is deadlock.
It's not an uncommon occurrence in publishing - that writer and editors collide on concept if not execution. What poor old Laura thinks about this is anyone's guess.
But one thing you can be most certain of - the duchess did not get $500k, she did not bolt - and I understand she wrote a considerable amount of the novel that's presently collecting dust.
Madame Arcati archive on the Duchess of York and her novel
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