Grishman Book Sets Print Record

Mon., March 10, 1997

Doubleday flooded the country Wednesday with the new John Grisham - though with a 2.8-million first printing, “flood” may be too tepid a word.

It’s the biggest first printing in history. There have been well over a million copies of Michael Crichton’s and Stephen King’s latest books right out of the gate, but 2.8 million copies? That’s staggering.

The printing for “The Partner” ($26.95) is roughly equivalent to that of 400 first novels. Of course, if 400 first novels are published this year, most will see ink because of the success of authors like Grisham. The money they make on Grisham and Crichton and King allow publishers to print first novels that are considered great successes if they sell 7,500 copies.

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