See, that ghostwriting thing can really get you into trouble

James Patterson seems to have it all–riches, fame and fortune, a legion of monkeys doing the gruntwork for him on his books–but alas, he made the fatal mistake of mixing business with pleasure, and now he’s going to have to go to court about it:

A lawsuit charging popular novelist James Patterson with breach of contract and copyright infringement will proceed following a Southern District judge’s partial denial Wednesday of Mr. Patterson’s motion to dismiss.

Christina P. Sharp met Mr. Patterson in June 1996 and they soon planned to marry.

“In tandem with their romantic relationship, Sharp alleges, the two ‘developed a close professional relationship,’ in which Patterson discussed problems with his writing, and Sharp helped by acting ‘as a sounding board and [making] suggestions,’” wrote Judge Gerard E. Lynch.

Mr. Patterson ended the relationship in April 1997. Following his publication of his bestseller “Cat and Mouse” (which allegedly incorporates Ms. Sharp’s work into the text) and “Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas” (allegedly based on her idea), Ms. Sharp filed suit.

Oh, this could be so much fun. Will Sharp’s lawyers subpoena other spurned alleged ghostwriters detailing their tales of writing for hire? Will Patterson fire back with vicious counterattacks or with glowing testimony from the co-authors who still work with him? In other words, hell truly hath no fury like a co-writer scorned…

(link from the Breakfast of Champion)