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  4. Ronan Farrow says he'll cut ties with the publisher of his book 'Catch and Kill' after it acquired the rights to his estranged father Woody Allen's memoir

Ronan Farrow says he'll cut ties with the publisher of his book 'Catch and Kill' after it acquired the rights to his estranged father Woody Allen's memoir

Rosie Perper,Rosie Perper   

Ronan Farrow says he'll cut ties with the publisher of his book 'Catch and Kill' after it acquired the rights to his estranged father Woody Allen's memoir
ronan farrow woody allen

Ronan Farrow, the author of the non-fiction book "Catch and Kill," which explored his struggles reporting on the Harvey Weinstein rape allegations, has cut ties with his publisher after they acquired the rights to his estranged father Woody Allen's memoir.

Hachette Book Group, which published Farrow's book, announced on Monday that one of its divisions would be publishing Allen's upcoming memoir, titled "Apropos of Nothing."

"'Apropos of Nothing' is a comprehensive account of Woody Allen's life, both personal and professional, and describes his work in films, theater, television, nightclubs, and print," Grand Central Publishing wrote in its description of the book. "Allen also writes of his relationships with family, friends, and the loves of his life."

In a statement on Twitter, Farrow announced that he was cutting ties with the publishing company.

"I was disappointed to learn through press reports that Hachette, my publisher, acquired Woody Allen's memoir after the other major publisher refused to do so and concealed the decision from me and its own employees while we were working on 'Catch and Kill' - a book about how powerful men, including Woody Allen, avoid accountability for sexual abuse," he wrote.

Farrow said his sister Dylan Farrow, who has accused Allen of sexual abuse, was not contacted to comment on the abuse she claims she suffered at Allen's hands when she was a child.

Dylan Farrow CBS

"It's wildly unprofessional in multiple obvious ways directions for Hachette to behave this way," Farrow wrote.

"I've encouraged Hachette, out of respect for its readers, authors, and reputation, to conduct a thorough fact check of Woody Allen's account, in particular, any claim that implies my sister is not telling the truth," he added. "I've also told Hachette that a publisher that would conduct itself in this way is one I can't work with in good conscience."

In an email exchange between Farrow and Hachette's chief executive Michael Pietsch, obtained by The New York Times, Farrow told the publisher to "imagine this were your sister."

"As you and I worked on 'Catch and Kill' - a book in part about the damage Woody Allen did to my family - you were secretly planning to publish a book by the person who committed those acts of sexual abuse," Farrow wrote in the email.

Pietsch told The Times that he called Farrow on Monday after hearing from the author's agent that he was upset over the publishing decision.

"We do not allow anyone's publishing program to interfere with anyone else's," Pietsch told The Times. "Our job as a publisher is to help the author achieve what they have set out to do in the creation of their book."

Hachette Book Group did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Farrow's reporting on sexual misconduct allegations made against Weinstein helped catapult the #MeToo movement into the national sphere. Weinstein was convicted of rape and sexual assault last month and is in custody at Rikers Island jail until his sentencing next week.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visit their website to receive confidential support.



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