Woody Allen Memoir Spurs Protest by Workers at Book’s Publisher

(Bloomberg) -- Workers at the company behind film director Woody Allen’s upcoming memoir walked out in solidarity with Ronan Farrow, who severed ties with the publisher earlier in the week.

Employees criticized New York-based Hachette Book Group on social media Thursday and posted pictures of the walkout, spurred by allegations that Allen sexually abused his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow, Ronan’s sister, decades ago. Ronan Farrow also criticized the publisher for a lack of fact-checking and said the book deal was concealed from him while he was working on “Catch and Kill,” his book about reporting the Harvey Weinstein story.

Hachette’s Grand Central Publishing is slated to publish the book, “Apropos of Nothing,” on April 7. It’s described as “a comprehensive account of Woody Allen’s life, both personal and professional, and describes his work in films, theater, television, nightclubs and print. Allen also writes of his relationships with family, friends and the loves of his life.”

On Tuesday, Ronan Farrow said he could no longer work with Hachette “in good conscience.”

“Hachette did not fact-check the Woody Allen book,” he said on Twitter. “My sister Dylan has never been contacted to respond to any denial or mischaracterization of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Woody Allen.”

Allen has repeatedly denied that he abused Dylan Farrow.

In a statement, Hachette Chief Executive Officer Michael Pietsch said the company would be discussing the matter with staff “at the earliest opportunity.”

“We respect and understand the perspective of our employees who have decided to express their concern over the publication of this book,” he said.

To contact the reporters on this story: Nick Turner in Los Angeles at nturner7@bloomberg.net;Gerry Smith in New York at gsmith233@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Turner at nturner7@bloomberg.net

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