The Bidding War and the Birthday Party

Honestly, this really happened.

In 1987 Little, Brown published Heiress by Janet Dailey. It was Little, Brown's first Janet Dailey book after wooing her away from her previous publisher, and Janet really nailed this story of a young woman who, after her father dies, discovers she has a sister. It went on the bestseller list and stayed there for about two months.

There was feverish interest among paperback publishers in bidding for the reprint rights, and an auction closing date was set. That date sounded disturbingly familiar to me. As well it might be. "It's your son's fifth birthday," my wife reminded me, "and we're having a party that day, remember? Don't even think of going to your office that day. I need you to take pictures. And besides," she added, "don't you want to see the magician?"

And so my wife and I played host to a dozen five-year-olds and a magician on the day that paperback rights were being auctioned by Little, Brown. I gave my home number to the editor conducting the bidding and asked her to call me as the auction developed. And she did - while the magician was performing.

He had just tossed a bunch of colored handkerchiefs into his hat when the phone rang. It was my friend at Little, Brown. "Warner just opened with an $800,000 floor bid!" she announced.
Before I could say anything the children shrieked with joy. "YAYYYYY"
"What the hell is that?" the editor asked. Do you have a cheering section set up for this auction?"
"No," I stammered. "It's the magician. He just pulled the handkerchiefs out of his hat and they're all somehow knotted together. Uh, it's my kid's birthday party."
"I see. Well, I'll call you if there's more action."
And she did. Two minutes later, she had an offer for a million dollars from another bidder.
"YAYYYYY!"
"Rabbit in the hat?" my editor friend asked dryly.
"No, a white dove. I have no idea how he did it!"
"Um, what about the million dollar offer?"
"That's terrific too," I said, raptly watching the dove flapping on the magician's sleeve.
"I'll be back to you if there's another offer."
She did and there was. "It's up to a million two!"
Now it was my turn: "YAYYYY"
"This time it's a rabbit, right?" asked my friend.
"Hell no. The magician left half an hour ago. I'm cheering for you!"

And that's how I'll always remember Heiress. But you'll remember it for another reason: it's a marvelous novel by an author at the top of her game. YAYYYY!

- Richard Curtis