Why Won't Major Publishing Companies Publish Joelle Casteix's Book?

By Gustavo Arellano Fri., May 27 2011 at 11:45 AM

Longtime readers of the Weekly know Joelle Casteix, former cover girl, for being the most-prominent critic of the Catholic Diocese of Orange and its handling of its sex-abuse scandal, of which she was a survivor. Casteix is charming, funny, iron-willed, indefatigable--and on top of all this, she's a hell of a writer, especially when it comes to the topic of her incredible life.

Sounds like a perfect book, right? So much better than a biased history of Orange County or a compilation of a dumb column, correct? But try telling that to the major New York publishing houses, who have seen Casteix's memoir proposal, liked it--and then politely passed.

Casteix has the whole story in her fiendishly addicting (and awesomely titled) blog, the Worthy Adversary. Telling the tale isn't an ego trip for the selfless Casteix; when people mention she should self-publish, she makes the point that getting published by a major company adds legitimacy and prestige not so much to her, but to all survivors of the Catholic Church's pedo-scandal.

"I need something that the survivors' movement also requires: the stamp of legitimacy that a large publishing house provides," she writes. "I also need the wider audience and the channel marketing capabilities that a large house gives me. And honestly, this book is too good to get lost."

Good luck, Joelle. Heaven knows the world needs to learn your many disgusting encounters with Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown--heckuva job, Brownie!

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Estadieu

Creative punishment: the diocese of Orange will publish Joelle book. The bishop will personally be there to answer all the questions on her first book signing day. All the pedo-priests will serve fine wine and hors d oeuvres.The tab will billed to the diocese.Amen.

mrs. truth

There is no doubt that the Catholic Church hierarchy is TERRIFIED that Joelle has completed a book that will only further disclose in BLACK AND WHITE, just how evil the Diocese of Orange and other religious institutions can be, especially as it relates to child rape victims and their families.

Joelle's book will be published.... and cannot wait to read it!!! Some day, the faithful in the pews will open their eyes and ears about the failures of their faithful leaders to protect precious children from heinous sex crimes and denied civil rights. You go girl.... if anyone can succeed with spreading the word about evil crimes and the need to speak out so precious children will be safer than Joelle and others were, Joelle will do it!!!! My guess is the Catholic Church's political and financial influence will initially intimidate publishers; however, Joelle's message of truth will prevail!

Dan Chmielewski

Gustavo - I'll assume you have an agent in addition to a publisher; can't you set her up?

John Shuster

Publish it through Amazon's Kindle. Young people will read it.

Diane

My daughter is a writer, and it is tough to get published. Just keep at it Joelle. Don't give up trying.

Anon

well, I'm not buying the book unless I know she wiped her ass with a rock in Mexico like you did. It was the only memorable item in your second book. Sure hope the third book is better; it couldn't be worse,

gustavoarellano

Joelle: I'm sorry that the pathetic losers who have nothing better to do with their lives than to express their love for me at all non-sequitor times are popping up here...

Kay4Justice

Good luck with this, Joelle! Perhaps the larger publishing houses have been bought off? I certainly wouldn't put it past the authority of the church to do so...