Eisner on Board for the Future of Publishing

What do Michael Eisner and Mark Twain have in common? They're both the kind of authors who can afford to take their money on the back end.

HarperStudio, the new HarperCollins imprint that seeks to challenge the existing economics of the book business by phasing out big advances in favor of profit-sharing, unveiled its initial slate of books this morning, and Eisner and Twain both have titles on the list. (Media Mob noticed before I did.) The former Disney chief's book will explore "great business partnerships," including his own with longtime associate Frank Wells. The Twain volume, meanwhile, is a collection of 22 previously unpublished short stories. Toni Morrison, Leonard Maltin and Isabella Rossellini are among other recognizable names on the list. Oh, and 50 Cent.

Bob Miller, HarperStudio's publisher, talked a little more about his model during a panel on the future of publishing, held Wednesday night at Manhattan's Cooper Union. He said HarperStudio will try to avoid making deals involving advances of more than $100,000. "It's a very glamorous business we're in," he said. "I've dined out on it well, but now I'm interested in the challenge of actually making it profitable."

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