James Patterson?

[BookLuvr]

I know in the blog, Dorothy commented that she doesn't like the way Patterson seems to be farming out work to co-authors. I really liked his old stuff, but his new stuff isn't as good. Does anyone here agree? Is one co-author better than another?

[LillyWhite]

I don't know. I stopped reading him a while ago. Why bother when it isn't even him?

[Pablo]

So someone else is now writing on his behalf as I understand it? is that right, how does that work?

[GeekGirl]

He puts his name in BIG letters on the cover and then, under the title, lists a co-author. Supposedly he comes up with ideas and then they write them. The quality is iffy and the styles vary, so you can't depend on it being of a style you like...

[TexTer]

Oh well its a commercial world we live in, Patterson is obviously cashing in using his name and making a living the easy way, until readers realize the writing isnt up to scratch and give him the broad berth.

[DorothyD]

I do hope readers notice this... It isn't fair to readers to use your name to sell a book you haven't written - at least in my opinion. It bugs me!

[Moggy]

Is he the only one doing that? I would be embarrassed.

[DorothyD]

Others do it, you'll notice several of Sidney Sheldon's McNally books have been released since his death. These are written by someone else with his characters and an imitation of his style.

[Pablo]

So, I guess the writers concerned must be paying some sought of a royalty I imagine? As long as the book clearly states that the book is no longer written by the original author, then perhaps that might be ok. But that being the case, why would anyone bother?

[Moggy]

Unless the new writer/s have a talent for imitating the style of the original author successfully, I don't see the point? Yet they do it?