Kristin Davis, who was arrested last year for running a prostitution ring in New York City that, she says, included ex-governor Eliot Spitzer among its customers (until she blacklisted him for mistreating her staff), is selling her story as a $10 ebook—but unlike most authors who bypass the "traditional" publishing route, the "Manhattan Madam" is getting full attention from the national media, including a 20/20 segment, an interview with Geraldo, and an appearance on Judith Regan's satellite radio talk show.

Davis's literary agent, Lori Perkins, says the ebook strategy was in place from the beginning. "I told her I didn't think it would sell as a typical book," Perkins told us of her first meeting with Davis. "It'd take 18 months just to get published." Davis agreed, and Perkins introduced her to Hollan Publishing (her partners in the online erotica house Ravenous Romance), which put together a $9.99 ebook and a $12.99 print-on-demand paperback edition. (Perkins added that she's also selling rights to a different paperback edition, which would include exclusive material from Davis's prison diaries.)

(photo: The Insider)