Cover Stories: Clinton's publicity machine; Pamela Anderson's literary debut; <i>Bookseller</i>'s editor leaves

As Bill Clinton touched down for two days of whirlwind publicity for My Life, he found himself sandwiched in the charts between two other memoirs, of Paul Gascoigne and Katie Price, aka "Jordan".

As Bill Clinton touched down for two days of whirlwind publicity for My Life, he found himself sandwiched in the charts between two other memoirs, of Paul Gascoigne and Katie Price, aka "Jordan". At the Guildhall launch, the former President signed books, invitations and anything else thrust at him. Arriving an hour into the party, he spoke with brevity and grace and spent two hours chatting to guests, who included Alastair Campbell, Jacqueline Wilson, Bill Bryson and Kevin Spacey. Gail Rebuck, CEO of Random House, presided like a rather grand mother hen, with her husband, Philip Gould - who lent a hand on the first Clinton campaign and whose work for Tony Blair was recently rewarded with a seat in the Lords.

* Pamela Anderson, the Vancouver-born actress best known in Baywatch, begins a new career next month, in fiction. Star, described by Simon & Schuster as a roman à clef, will be marketed with the slogan: "This is what happens when A-list meets D-cup."

* Consternation in the book trade over the departure of Nicholas Clee as The Bookseller's editor. After 20 years with the company, five as editor of the century-old weekly, he is leaving to take up new challenges: a move that took everyone by surprise when announced by the Bookseller Information Group - now part of the US giant, VNU. Clee's literary credentials - he is a one-time Booker judge - have served him well with publishers, and he is a much-liked and respected figure. But those qualities may be less appreciated by VNU, which will not appoint a new editor, but just an editor-in-chief to preside over the magazine and "satellite products".