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Of Course Robert Harris Isn’t Writing About Tony Blair – It’s Fiction!

Forgive the overly ironic headline, but it’s in Robert Harris‘s best interest to demure when asked if the protagonist of his upcoming contemporary political novel, THE GHOST, is based on former pal Tony Blair (now shopping his memoirs, albeit in a slow boat way, via Robert Barnett.) “Actually there are also strong dissimilarities (with Blair), it’s not a hugely hostile portrait,” Harris told the Guardian after publishing sources claimed the likenesses are striking. One friend compares its impact to Joe Klein‘s novel PRIMARY COLORS.

“I had the idea about a ghost writer and a politician when I finished Enigma 12 years ago. But I couldn’t make it work. I thought it would be a good way of writing about Britain and America oddly enough, and the way British prime ministers go and get paid all this money by American publishers,” he added. Which is all true, and only when the book is out can readers make the comparisons for themselves…

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Thursday May 23: Real Talk about Life after Publication

These days, writers aren’t just writers: They’re social-media mavens, seasoned public speakers, and one-person publicity machines. And they still have to find time to write their books! Find out what life is like once you've landed that dream book contract in a free web chat with young-adult authors Elizabeth Norris (Unraveling and Unbreakable) and Brodi Ashton (Everneath and Everbound) — plus special guest Kristin Rens, editor at HarperCollins imprint Balzer + Bray. Thursday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET. on Figment.com.