If the only redeeming quality of a Page Six tenure is the ability to get a book deal, then nearly all the former (and some current) Sixers have basked in the glory of working at the gossip bible. Most recently, Paula Froelich had her turn, followed by Ian Spiegelman. And now we're on the cusp of ousted Sixer and current BlackBook books editor Jared Paul Stern's roman a clef, which is less a tell-all book than a means to avoid Chapter 7. The Observer's Choire Sicha is on the Stern trail, monitoring his margarita intake, Diddy socializing, and the hatchet job Stern hopes bookshelves are eagerly awaiting. But, uh, are we?

While Mr. Burkle, or the F.B.I., or both, dangle videotapes over his [Stern's] head, or over the New York Post, Mr. Stern now has a potential weapon of his own against the Post. Both, or one, or neither may have any damaging goods at all.

[Stern's lawyer Jared] Tacopina disputed the analogy. “I don’t think Jared’s holding anything over anyone’s head.”

He's got nothing on Richard Johnson. He seems to hold Paula in high regard. And the only notable piece of damage is his report about a "colleague" who was "notorious for never paying for a meal." Real. Juicy. Stuff. Here. Folks. Let the Amazon.com preordering rush begin.

Jared Paul Stern Is Slouching Back With Book, Lawsuit [Choire Sicha, NYO]