Everybody’s making such a fuss over Dennis Kucinich throwing some support behind Barack Obama in Iowa, but, based on dramatically dismal sales for Kucinich’s new autobiography, The Courage to Survive, it would appear that it’s all much ado about nothing. Almost literally.

“I’ve been exceptionally disappointed in the man,” Michael Viner, chief executive of Phoenix Books, tells the Washington Post. After printing 20,000 copies and spending over $100,000 on promotion, he told the publication, the book has only sold 500 copies in two months.

“It’s like we made a campaign contribution,” Viner is quoted as saying. “He left us holding a very large bag.” Viner complained that Kucinich has refused to promote the book, and also shared that Kucinich submitted a cover designed by his wife, Elizabeth, with a tabloid typeface that was not of publishable quality.

Kucinich blames the situation on a contract dispute. He believes he isn’t getting a fair financial deal, but he also says he believes the book could still be a bestseller.

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Yesterday we shared the shocking news that Gawker Media’s recent book on conquering the media had sold only 242 books since its Oct. 2 release date, a bit of gossip that was too good for even Matt Drudge to pass up. Well, proving the old adage that any publicity is good publicity, Portfolio follows up with this bit of news, however limp it may be: Read more…

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Wonkette publisher and Gawker Media owner Nick Denton is “pleading ignorance” over why his book The Gawker Guide to Conquering All Media has sold a pathetic 242 copies since it went on sale Oct. 2, according to Nielsen BookScan (maybe not the best way to prove you’re conquering this whole media thing, Nick). The number, of course, would be shockingly low for any book, but consider that it has been heavily promoted on all of the blogs in the Gawker Media network, including Wonkette. Perhaps this means that the number of people Denton says read the blogs has been dramatically overhyped? Or maybe editorial affairs have helped sink the ship? Or maybe, just maybe, the book was seen for what it really is: worthless.

Earlier: Hell Froze Over: Accountability from Wonkette

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Jeff Gannon’s recent book, “The Great Media War: A Battlefield Report” will be among those featured at the 2007 National Press Club Book Fair on Nov. 1.

“Gannon, the first exclusively online reporter to cover the White House on a regular basis is considered a new media pioneer,” according to a release announcing the development. ”He notes that his daily readership of more than half a million topped the circulation of most newspapers, despite reporting for a small news outlet.”

He’s expected to be available to sign copies on the day of the event.

Earlier: Examiner Promotes Gannon’s Book Again

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As we told you in “Life Does Go On After Sex With Chelsea Clinton” in August, the former first daughter’s ex-very serious bf Ian Klaus has written a new book called Elvis is Titanic. Now, WWD reports, Chelsea is supporting the tome, and has even asked daddy Bill to host a book party this week to help Klaus out with sales. ”[A]lthough the notion of ex-girlfriend’s father as book party host certainly isn’t customary, a spokeswoman for Knopf, the book’s publisher, added that Chelsea and her friends will be in attendance,” according to the magazine. ”In fact, Klaus dedicated the book to Chelsea.” What a guy!

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