20. 08. 10. - 15:00

'No autographs' Kampusch to present autobiography

Natascha Kampusch has been criticised for stressing well ahead of the presentation of her autobiography that she will not provide any autographs.

Michaela Bokon, manager of book chain Thalia’s Vienna-Landstraße shop where the 21-year-old will speak about "3,096 Tage" (3,096 Days) on 9 September, said today (Fri) Kampusch had made clear she would not sign her book for fans or answer their questions.

The branch manager explained that she planned to set up TV screens all over the 2,700-square-metre shop to deal with expected massive interest by readers, adding that security personnel would also be hired.

Kampusch – who was locked in a self-made cellar dungeon by pervert Wolfgang Priklopil for around eight years – will participate in a platform discussion at the Thalia bookstore before reading some parts of her first release.

Katharina Ilgen from German publishing house Ullstein has meanwhile explained that she has "stopped counting" requests for press copies and interviews from journalists in Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

Kampusch has been living a secluded life in Vienna after her TV chat show "Natascha Kampusch trifft…" flopped on private channel Puls 4.

Her tragic story – she was snatched off the road on her way to school at the age of 10 in 2008 – hit the headlines around the world.

Ernst Holzapfel, the best pal and a close business partner of her kidnapper, recently claimed Kampusch had fled from Priklopil in 2006 following a "trivial argument" over how best to prepare a zucchini soup.

The Vienna resident – who faces trial over allegedly having assisted Priklopil escape justice – also claimed the kidnapper had blamed his crooked nose for his lack of success with women.

"He considered plastic surgery but then ditched such plans due to the high cost and worries he might still not find a woman," Holzapfel told the magazine News.

Meanwhile, German Bernd Eichinger has revealed plans to turn Kampusch’s life into a film. The "Resident Evil" producer stressed that he had Kampusch’s support.

"I Am Sam" star Dakota Fanning and Kate Winslet ("The Reader") are tipped as candidates for the movie’s lead role, according to showbiz media.

Eichinger said the film would be in cinemas in 2012.