In 1991, after becoming the editor of the New York Observer, the author successfully revitalized the publication. By sending copies to influential figures, he inadvertently led Condé Nast's Si Newhouse to mistakenly believe it was a major international success. Newhouse's interest resulted in an invitation for a meeting, where he offered the author roles at both Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. Despite having previously mocked Vanity Fair during his time at Spy, the author had a lifelong admiration for The New Yorker, which created a complex dilemma for him.
I was dying to be a part of Si's glittering literary empire. On the Monday, I hopped in a cab and headed over to Si's apartment at U.N. Plaza.
He said, 'I have two magazines, and I wonder if you'd be interested in either one of them.' I braced myself. 'Vanity Fair and The New Yorker.'
At Spy, we'd made an industry out of making fun of Vanity Fair, relentlessly - the writers, the editor, the content, everything.
I explained my very awkward history with Vanity Fair and its staff and continued to question whether I was the right fit for this opportunity.
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