Little Pink Slips

by Sally Koslow

On the towering stilettos of The Devil Wears Prada comes a biting, mordantly funny debut novel about the extremely unladylike business of publishing a very ladylike magazine.

Once there was a little girl from Fargo, North Dakota, named Maggie Goldfarb who grew up, moved to Manhattan, and morphed into Magnolia Gold, the highly paid editor in chief of Lady magazine. With a corner office, a designer wardrobe, and dozens of loyal employees, Magnolia has been hired to update the dowager of women's magazines. She's on her way to giving Lady a face-lift when she is ignominiously replaced by Bebe Blake, a brash television personality who remakes the magazine in her own hilariously inappropriate image. With her ketchup-red hair, skintight clothes, and penchant for "boy toys," Bebe is more out of control than a speeding limo. Maddeningly unpredictable, she confounds everyone at the newly christened Bebe with her personal vision of what a women's magazine should be, and baffles them further with her bawdy sense of humor and over-the-top generosity.

Shunted off to the darkest corners of executive purgatory-an overlooked back office she shares with a cockroach or two-Magnolia seethes from the sidelines as Bebe turns her beloved, once-profitable Lady into a sideshow. As things go from bad to worse, Magnolia fears that her career will never recover, but even she can't predict how deeply satisfying her eventual triumph will be. And not just at work: amidst the frenzy of backstabbing at the office, Magnolia finds Mr. Right in a city of Mr. Not-Quites.

Inspired by real-life events, Little Pink Slips is about the fall, rise, and sweet revenge of a woman who witnesses corporate shenanigans at their most flagrant. Filled with gossipy revelations about celebrity obsession and behind-the-scenes details of the media business in all its malfeasant glory, this novel is delicious, can't-stop-reading fun.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Humor, Womens Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Adult

384 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 2007

About the author

THE REAL MRS. TOBIAS, Sally Koslow's forthcoming novel (September 2022--Harper Perennial) is a smartly funny story about mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law who are trying to navigate personal difficulties, some of which are with another. In ANOTHER SIDE OF PARADISE, Sally Koslow brings to life the tender, torrid tale of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Hollywood love affair with the Gatsby-esque Sheilah Graham, a gossip columnist and fascinating self-invention. Her other novels include the international bestseller, THE LATE, LAMENTED MOLLY MARX, THE WIDOW WALTZ, WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE, and her debut, LITTLE PINK SLIPS, an insider’s view of the magazine industry (which she knows only too well, as the long-time editor of McCall's Magazine.) She is also the author of one noon-fiction book, SLOUCHING TOWARD ADULTHOOD. Her books have been translated into 14 languages. Sally has contributed essays and articles to numerous magazines, newspapers, websites, and anthologies, including MOMS DON'T HAVE TIME TO and ALONE TOGETHER: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of Covid-19. She lives in Manhattan but was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota.

Reviews

[Margie Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and fun summer read by the same author of one of my favorite books “The Late, Lamented Molly Marx”.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not great. It probably doesn't even count as good. It was a good book to read in very brief periods, though. I read it as a space filler while waiting to do other more important things, which is basically anything. The plot is obvious, the writing is bleh, and hte main character is pretty shallow. If you need to do something while you're waiting to do something else, though, and you don't want to be disrespectful to good literature, this is a decent book.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not the new Devil Wears Prada or the new anti-Devil wears Prada because it is not worthy of such titles. While entertaining in parts, most of Little Pink Slips feels tired. It has either been written before or the author seemed to tire of writing. There are gaps in plot and character development, sort of like a cut-to-black transition in a movie, except that a movie does a better job of explaining things. It really feels like the author wrote herself into a corner and chose to ignore the situation by pretending it didn't exist (ie: oops, person A fell in love with person B and now I want A to date C! let's have A and B suddenly break up a successful relationship without warning. oh, and B is left hanging now? let's invent someone new to appease the situation). Logical progression is missing, and many of the characters contradict themselves or are not sympathetic when they are intended to be so. Ironically, I would have enjoyed this book about an editor if it had better editing.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished and absolutely adored!!! I liked it as much (if not more!) as THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Fun, realistic and sassy this novel has everything to enjoy.

The character of Magnolia Gold gave me someone to root for.

Great job, Sally!!

[Sally Koslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

LITTLE PINK SLIPS is my first novel--since it was published, I have written four more novels (THE LATE, LAMENTED MOLLY MARX, WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE, THE WIDOW WALTZ and a biopic about the iconic author F.Scott Fitzgerald and his Hollywood love, Sheilah Graham, one non-fiction book, SLOUCHING TOWARD ADULTHOOD. Although my writing has evolved considerably since LITTLE PINK SLIPS, which was published when chick-lit was hot, I feel proud of this book. It offers the reader an accurate, behind-the-scenes look at what the magazine industry was like in its last blast of glory...the industry is far different now, far less glamorous. Many reviews praised the book's wit, so that delights me because my goal was to create a story to entertain readers. Most of all, I think this novel accurately reflects the emotional terrain of what it's like to love--and lose--a job. For many years, I was the editor-in-chief of iconic McCall's Magazine, then--pow!--one day an outrageous celebrity came along and the magazine was handed over to her. (Who? That's for Google to tell you.) So there's a bit of memoir thinly disguised in these pages.

Hope you enjoy the book and will share your review.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this book. No, I didn't have the illusion that it would make me a better person to read it, but the author spent so much time setting up scenarios and then just abandoning them. I'm left not knowing much about how the character changed, what the lesson was in all of it. Or maybe, it's that I don't like the lesson that was there, which seemed pretty nihilistic to me. It was entirely too plot-driven for me--- I like character-driven pieces. I wouldn't recommend it, even as a just-for-fun book. Not that fun, really.

[Jessica Ivetich · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a trip to NYCA myself, I wanted a semi-quick read that kept my mind on the je ne sais quoi of the Big Apple. While some jokes are outdated and the print industry completely changed, Little Pink Slips was a cute story that kept me rooting for the heroine the whole way through.

[Joanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Write by numbers, plus cheese.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read when flying, but definitely not a great or even possibly a good book.

[Ann Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read book. The description plays it up a bit but it was a good book. I enjoyed the happy ending!

[Millie Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the fact that I don't read fashion or movie star magazines and have only briefly visited NYC in the 1960s, I really enjoyed the book. A fun vacation read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! There were alot of characters to keep straight.

[Melissa Face · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. The author, a former editor in chief at McCall’s, obviously knows her subject matter. Interesting characters and enjoyable dialogue.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story starts with Magnolia as an insecure magazine editor-in-chief; it ends with her has an insecure magazine editor-in-chief.

I didn't know anything about this book when I picked it. I had just finished two WWII books and wanted something lighthearted. The quick description and cover suggested this would be an easy read. It was. And it was interesting to watch Magnolia navigate her life and career, but she doesn't change throughout the story, which is a deal breaker for me. And it doesn't make sense that she doesn't change -- every man who knows her hits on her (so she's obviously attractive), she has a good job and makes a ton of money, she had a great group of family and friends. Despite everything, however, she doesn't make new friends, she doesn't find a better job, she doesn't value herself as person and not just an employee.

The ending disappointed me -- I wanted to root for Magnolia, but she basically ended up right where she started and with no indication that she learned anything or was considering changing anything about herself. But that's okay, because the hot, talented, younger writer loved her anyway.

I actually was okay with this book until I started writing the review -- the more I write, the more annoyed I become with the book. I'll stop now. :) (2.5 out of 5 stars)

*Nothing graphic, but some inappropriate relationships; a fair amount of swearing.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely a good "beach read" but not as good as The Devil Wears Prada. The behind-the-scenes tidbits were interesting.

All-in-all: Fun read but okay to miss. I'd recommend time spent reading The Devil Wears Prada instead.

[Alice Neilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly Chick Lit. Every dress, outfit, event described in minute detail and as all the name dropping made it such. I was not expecting the great novel and knew going in what it was. As that it did the job. I needed a bit of fluff so it delivered.

[Kathy jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheesy but fun novel behind the scenes of the magazine industry as a Jewish woman moves from Fargo ND to NYC and becomes an editor. Follows her ascent, fall and re-emergence. Shows that every line of business has its politics.

[Frances Littell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining novel.

[Emily Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, the characters were relatable and funny. It was a great, quick read that was also intelligent. I would like to read more by the author Sally Koslow.

[Nadia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of her other titles.

[Cynthia Krantz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shallow characters with no morals or redeeming qualities. They may be living a high class life style but not one character had any class at all. I cannot recommend this book.

[Julia Extance · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mediocre, too long, Tyler's plot was pointless

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

good, about the magazine publishing business

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magnolia is the editor in chief of Lady magazine. At a meeting, she is surprised to find out that the magazine Lady will be turned into a new magazine called Bebe. The new magazine is named after a brash television personality who will be the new face of their magazine. Magnolia is horrified, Bebe is a terrible choice to be the head of a magazine, she is is unpredictable and will easily alienate their readers. Magnolia goes along and does what she can to make the magazine launch a success in order to keep her job.

This reminded a bit of The Devil wears Prada, but I think I enjoyed that one more. This was a good story, it just wasn't the best. I liked Magnolia, but Bebe was really annoying, but she was supposed to be that way. The last 100 pages or so I found the book to be getting a bit long and I was just ready to get the book done so I could move on to something else.

More of my book reviews can be found at https://bookswithkari.blogspot.com/

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book. I finished it, but more out of boredom on planes than actually ever caring about the characters. I agree with another reviewer that Magnolia Gold is self contradictory, and to me, she seems to lack any real feeling at all. She treats every aspect of her life flippantly, but then again, all of the characters in this story were fairly flat.

I was more disgusted with Magnolia than anything. Growing up in Nebraska, I didn't appreciate the picture that was painted of the hicks in North Dakota, and it grossed me out that Magnolia went as far as she did to participate in the attempted affair with her married high school sweetheart. She could have easily rebuffed him while she was back trying to show off to her other former classmates, but instead, she actually came too close to jumping into the hot tub with him and then proceeded to lead him on via emails and online messages just to spark her own ego. Magnolia isn't some heroine who had a set of her own values and direction; nor is she even a lead character who really grappled with moral decisions. She really just follows attention she can garner and uses the other characters, including Cam, even if it is ridiculous to think he was in love with her at any point.

I definitely did not see any true comparison to The Devil Wears Prada in this book by Sally Koslow. Save your money and time and reread The Devil Wears Prada or even just an issue of a women's magazine--both are highly more entertaining options than this book.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a little while, this was an interesting book. It was fun getting an insider’s perspective on the magazine industry--the general craziness of it, and the clubby atmosphere of Manhattan publishing executives. But overall, I didn’t think Little Pink Slips worked as a cohesive novel. It was too much like discrete episodes strung together in an attempt to make a narrative. Not to mention that several of those episodes were impossible to believe. I don’t mind a little chick-lit silliness, but I do expect to find such events at least slightly plausible. And I always find it annoying when an author does not end a book at its natural conclusion. There’s nothing more tedious than reaching a book’s climactic moment, only to find it dragging on for several more chapters. And since I listened to this book on audio, I have to mention the narrator, Laural Merlington. She did a mostly good job, but often mispronounced words, and had a strange habit of adding in phony laughter, even when the ensuing dialogue was tagged with “he laughed” or some such thing. It was annoying, as was the author’s constant name dropping, and the ridiculous having-it-all ending. Perhaps as a former magazine editor, the author was not amenable to suggestion, but she could have used a good editor who would have tightened the book, taken away some of the more ridiculous moments, and smoothed out the story arc, to produce a more enjoyable story.

[Judy Mann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book at all. I usually make it a point of NOT reading a book if the author tells me how much she weighs in the first three pages.That usually screams of Chick Lit coming up big time. I was exactly right.
This book was not especially well written -the writing was actually very brittle and lifeless .
But here's what drives me absolutely ape about these TELL ALL books: 95% of the time you wish the author had just sent a dozen roses to the person she's writing about. I knew -I just knew that this Bebe was a real life celebrity. (I didn't confirm it until just now-when I found out it was in fact Rosie O'Donnell)Here's how I knew; Because the author- Sally Koslow- keeps injecting these little snippets into the story-where she describes Bebe as really deep down sweet and unpretentious.First she describes her as a loud mouth cow- and then when she realizes she might well need Rosie O'Donnell somewhere down the road- well THEN she throws in these charming little snippets about how deep down Bebe- (aka Rosie) was really a sweet kid ,deep deep down
Why doesn't she just write Rosie O'Donnell a letter saying that- instead of wasting a whole tree writing this jibberish of a book.
This book was stupid-a stupid waste of time- and paper.
JM

[Kourtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could rate the book with 2.5 stars I would. It fell somewhere between "it was OK" and "liked it."

This book was written by the editor at McCall's magazine when the magazine was taken over by Rosie O'Donnell. She took that experience and penned this novel (which very closely mirrored those events funny enough). It has been compared to The Devil Wears Prada so I jumped into this story very excited only to come out the end very disappointed.

The first 100 pages were so boring. I could barely keep my interest and other books were calling out that were so much more exciting. I forced myself to push on, and as I got closer to the end I found myself wondering how things would play out, but frankly I could not empathize with Magnolia and could not care about what happened to her. I loved The Devil Wears Prada and this did not meet those standards. While the end was interesting, this was not.

If you want to know what happens in this story, just Wikipedia Rosie O'Donnell and read what happened to her magazine. Then change Rosie into a younger more sexualized girl and POOF - there is your story. I saved you tons of time!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written by the old editor of McCall’s, which is what the magazine was before it was called Rosie and Rosie O’Donnell took over. While it was entertaining somewhat, the lead character was really contradictory. I didn’t understand her at all! She is a woman from like N. Dakota who worked her way up of this big fashion-type magazine, but hates clothes? Also, all the job titles and what people did was confusing. She has a string of love interests and I don’t think of them panned out. The Rosie character was an extreme exaggeration, though apparently some things were changed as well and sometimes the characters got along and sometimes they didn’t. It’s like, at any moment, you could see the situation alone, but meshes it all together with all the other situations in the book, and it was a big old mess. I liked the supporting cast of her best friend and a co-worker. Oh yeah! She ends up with one of her old co-workers, I don’t remember what he did or how it was related to her. That was good. But then, she was with this guy in the beginning and I liked him and he never came back after like the first 1/3rd of the book.

Grade: C