Text: "REGAN SINKS HOOK INTO WRITER"
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$$$ Quote: "His next book is about his obsession with hookers ... and I'm starting to feel a little sorry for the hookers."

Full text:

February 8, 2005 -- PUBLISHING powerhouse Judith Regan is trashing one of her own authors as a man obsessed with hookers just because he had the temerity to ask for credit on Essie May Washington-Williams' book, "Dear Senator: A Memoir by the Daughter of Strom Thurmond."

Bill Stadiem -- who ghostwrote and researched the sensational story of the former segregationist senator's secret black daughter -- claims his relationship with Regan went sour after he insisted he share credit with Washington-Williams on the cover.

"She said it was much easier to make the book a bestseller if the public got the impression that Essie May had written it by herself," Stadiem says.

He refused to back down, and had his lawyer, Bob Edmonds, demand that Reganbooks honor his contract, which called for equal credit. Stadiem says he was punished by being barred from the publicity tour.

The mercurial Regan shot back that Stadiem was not invited on the publicity tour because no one wants to interview him. "I do not determine who will get booked on television and radio shows," she said. "The people who are interested in this book want to hear from her, not him."

The tough-talking publisher added: "He apparently has nothing better to do with his time, and maybe if he finished his second book, which is overdue, by the way, instead of calling gossip columnists, then he would amount to something.

"His next book is about his obsession with hookers. He's touring whorehouses around the world. He likes hookers -- and I'm starting to feel a little sorry for the hookers."

Stadiem confirmed that he is researching a book about "legal brothels in civilized countries around the world." But he said that while he has been criss-crossing the globe visiting cathouses, he has so far managed not to indulge in the services of prostitutes.

"I'm trying to maintain some journalistic integrity, but it's tempting," he said. "There's not a publisher in the world more interested in sex than Judith Regan, and that's why I approached her with this idea."

Asked whether he feared that his second book was in jeopardy now that he has royally riled Regan, Stadiem replied, "Hopefully commerce will conquer all."