Prompt 7- Power of Patterson

Pull up a chair, the owl is in.

So I've read the article " The James Patterson Business" about 3 or 4 times and I'm trying to figure out what the controversy is and to be honest I don't see the controversy. What I'm getting out of this article is Patterson is a pretty smart author who has put his advertising past to good use ( and those around him in the book publishing business know how to market him and why it works.) For example, when the creative director talks about how they go about in designing a cover, they say that besides looking at what is in the manuscript they run the idea with Patterson, who they say is very open-minded about what works and what doesn't . I also like Patterson's take on what makes a good bookstore ( and in Googling him, saw a few articles about him campaigning, even taking out ads in various publications to save bookstores and libraries. I will post a few.)  He also has this great website for parents and  kids, ReadKiddoRead.com, which he created to help reluctant readers.

As to if people still read them, I would assume so since he is still writing new books ( I know the kids love his Middle School series because it is very similar to Wimpy Kid. I do too, but a lot of his non-mystery books, like The Christmas Wedding.) As to the co-authors, if you read the article, Patterson does say on he is very hands on and outlines each chapter ( My opinion: Having read books with co-authors, I find it very cool and interesting, especially when you can't tell where one writer ends and another author starts.)

Overall, I don't see the problem. Personally the fact that he still writes means he enjoys it (heck, how many times has Stephen King said " I'm retiring" and he has how many projects?) If it is all about the money, then it's  his business. Otherwise, I just keep reading and move on.

By the way, here are some articles on Patterson's campaign for bookstores

http://www.salon.com/2013/04/24/james_patterson_speaks_out_about_his_aggressive_book_industry_bailout_ads/

 http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/56940-patterson-sees-ads-as-a-wake-up-call.html

http://www.tampabay.com/features/books/author-james-patterson-campaigns-to-save-books/2117609


Hope that covers the prompt. Got lots to do.