|
Lewinsky book and TV deals signed, with Diana author to assist
Updated November 16, 1998
7:23 p.m. ET
LONDON (AP) — Monica Lewinsky has signed a deal with Princess
Diana's biographer for a tell-all book about her affair with
President Clinton and will talk about the liaison for the first
time in an interview with Barbara Walters.
The deals were announced Monday by British publisher Michael
O'Mara, who put the book project together, and ABC News.
For those who can't wait for the book, a quick dose of the
former intern's own words can be heard when the House Judiciary
Committee on Tuesday releases audio of the infamous Linda Tripp
tapes. While the transcripts were released this fall, the tapes
will be the first chance for most people to hear Ms. Lewinsky's
voice.
The 37 tapes contain 22 hours of expletive-deleted private
musings from Ms. Lewinsky dissecting her relationship with Clinton.
The tapes will serve as a curtain-raiser of sorts to the start of
presidential impeachment hearings Thursday.
O'Mara said Ms. Lewinsky was drawn to the book idea because
Andrew Morton, whose book, "Diana: Her True Story," blew the lid
on the princess' troubled marriage, would be the author.
"She likes the idea of an author who is used to writing
sympathetic books about women who have relationships with powerful
men," said O'Mara, chairman of London-based Michael O'Mara Books.
"It wasn't the money, she could have got much higher prices
elsewhere."
He refused to confirm news reports of a seven-figure deal for
the book, to be published simultaneously in Britain and the United
States.
But the New York Post reported Monday that the North American
rights alone are worth that. The British news agency Press
Association said Lewinsky and Morton could earn more than $1.6
million just from publication in Britain.
The book, to be called "Monica's Story," is expected to be in
stores by the summer, said John Murphy, a spokesman for the U.S.
publisher, St. Martin's Press of New York.
O'Mara said there was a "strong personal chemistry" between
the former White House intern and Morton.
"We put the two of them together in a New York hotel room last
week, and she said yes immediately," O'Mara said.
Meanwhile, ABC announced Walters would interview Ms. Lewinsky
for the ABC show "20/20" sometime early next year, according to a
network spokeswoman, Eileen Murphy.
She said the exact date would depend on "resolution of pending
legal issues involving Ms. Lewinsky's ability to speak publicly
about the events surrounding her relationship with President
Clinton."
Ms. Lewinsky's immunity agreement contains a no-talk provision,
and she must secure a release from independent counsel Kenneth
Starr to speak publicly about the affair.
In a statement, ABC said the Walters interview would "mark the
first time (Ms. Lewinsky) speaks publicly about the story, and
about her relationship with the president."
In addition, Ms. Lewinsky will discuss "what it has been like
having her private life play out on a public stage," the statement
said.
An ABC appearance would be for free, since major U.S. networks
don't pay for interviews, but Ms. Lewinsky could sell the foreign
rights. British television's Channel 4 said it is negotiating with
her.
O'Mara said Morton already has conducted preliminary interviews
with his subject.
"Monica is an intelligent, well-spoken, average American girl,
not the foolish bimbo that the press paints her as," he said.
"That is an image she very much wants to change."
—Sue Leeman
| 
Full Coverage