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A High-End Art Book Publisher's 'Hectic' Schedule

Another gem from the latest issue of Gotham: A first-person, "Day in the Life" account of Prosper Assouline — why are we beginning to think this is an elaborate April Fools joke by outgoing editor Jason Oliver Nixon? — the "foremost luxury coffee-table book publisher in America." The "elegant" Frenchman takes us through a typical day for him in New York. Let's dissect Prosper's "busy" day, shall we?

7:00 A.M. The morning after a lengthy flight from Paris I drag myself out of bed at the Hotel Plaza Athenee and am whisked away to my office building in Chelsea, where designers Karl Lagerfeld, Hugo Boss and Tommy Hilfiger also work.

Oh, I know. And those mattresses at Athenee — I've slept on rags that were more comfortable!

9:00 A.M. Following a quick siesta and a healthy dose of espresso, I have the strength of 10 men!

A nap? Before 9:00 A.M.? This must be a new level of hectic we're just not privy to.

10:00 A.M. My assistant, Heather, anxiously awaits the chance to pounce with her questions.

"Mr. Assouline? Hi! Have you had your morning espresso and nap? Boy, you look like you have the strength of 10 men!"

To begin the day, there is an urgent publishing meeting with the department directors.

OK, now we're getting somewhere. A meeting. With department directors.

NOON Make a few catch-up phone calls to friends, including photographer Gilles Bensimon of Elle and Ralph and Ricky Lauren.

So, to recap: It's noon. So far we know this dude woke up, had a nap, an espresso, roughly one meeting and made some phone calls to friends. Awesome.

Oh, don't you worry — there's plenty more.

1:00 P.M. Lunch: Meet Saks Fifth Avenue vice chairman Ron Frasch (there is an Assouline boutique in Saks) at the Four Seasons.

3:00 P.M. I make a quick stop at Christie's to check on my treasures—my books in the Assouline boutique! Then I prepare for the interview and photo shoot later this afternoon for Departures magazine.

Christie's, where most busy book publishers go after a two-hour lunch at the Four Seasons.

5:00 P.M.

5:00 P.M.?!?!?!?!

I run through a series of quick meetings with my creative team before the day is done.

Day is done?!?!?!?! What day?!?!

6:30 P.M. Inspired by my luncheon, I ask the driver to take me by my newest creative venture with the developer of 485 Fifth Avenue. My creative energy is flowing. I gain a new vision for my book ... I will Blackberry my assistant to follow up on my notes.

7:30 P.M. Back at the office, I'm visited by my neighbor Karl Lagerfeld—just a quick "Bonjour," which reminds me to make dinner plans for the evening!

That Karl! Yay! Dinner!

9:00 P.M. I dine with my good friend Thierry Despont, artist and architect. We catch up at Il Buco for a nigh of cynicism and sarcasm—in French, of course. You never know who is listening!

Uh, we do: No one.