Former Politico reporter Karin Tanabe has scored a book deal for her first novel, in which “a 20-something journalist leaves a cushy NYC magazine job for DC’s hottest (and most cut-throat) political rag, where she uncovers a juicy scandal involving a senator that could make or break her career.” A quick review of Tanabe’s resume (former 20-something managing editor at Washington Life magazine, followed by a stint at Politico) makes it clear that the novel is somewhat biographical, or at least it could be interpreted that way.
Tanabe is unable to comment until closer to her publish date, but another former Politico scribe speculated about what picture she might paint of the newsroom. “Despite its loudmouthed reputation, in reality it is one of the strangest newsrooms in the world,” the reporter wrote to Yeas & Nays. “It is utterly subdued during the day. You can hear a mouse peep. No one screams or yells. And the reporters are all diligently – if not fearfully – working at their computers, head down, aiming to get the story out first. However, your editor can eviscerate you over email — and they do.”
Another former Politico staffer didn’t hold back: “She’ll have a lot to work with, from massive turn over of staff” to “senior editors thinking they’re Alec Baldwin in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross.’”
Are Politico honchos concerned about the novel taking thinly veiled shots at the publication? Editor John Harris — who calls Tanabe “an admired colleague in her time here” — says, “I don’t assume her book is about Politico.”
