Before the intense media coverage of the war in Iraq, there was intense media coverage of, well, does the name Elizabeth Smart ring a bell?

War might be front and center, but in behind-the-scenes publishing skirmishes, the Smart case remains on the front lines.

Recently, PublishersLunch, an online industry newsletter, noted that reporters from the New York Post and the New York Daily News were joining forces to write a book about the kidnapping and rescue of Smart.

That notice was quickly followed by an announcement from a Smart family spokesperson implying that readers might want to ignore such an endeavor.

"The family in no way endorses, supports or is cooperating with this unauthorized version," Chris Thomas said.

"The Smart family is in talks with a number of reputable publishers and plans to do an authorized version which will be the most detailed and accurate account of the story. The family hopes to make a decision in the next week or so."

Even while celebrating the return of Elizabeth, it appears the Smarts still had time for some heated dealmaking - which just goes to show that in publishing, the battle never wanes.

Patti Thorn, books editor