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Thanks, Keepatit, for your encouragement, which led to some progress. I'm afraid, however, that the rest of you have left me way behind. I only have one entry, 3d, in the entire left half of the puzzle. I think I know the first three words of the message, but that's not unique enough to identify the book!

Hi Dylan.
It's not a book but a poem. And there's enough nonsense in the world without people deliberately adding to it...so you're looking for a well known pedlar of twaddle. The title gives a clue to his first name. The poem's title starts 4,4,2 - I found those words sufficient in a google search.
But despite the poor theme and evident lack of scrutiny by the editors, the puzzle was interesting for the method of solving down clues and the 13 across clues.

I should say the poem starts 4,4,2...the title is just one word implying a mix with a letter inserted.

Very slow going with this one.
How does "Rodin's one" in 26 equate to "on"?

On peut le fair ainsi...

Err - my French is not very good!

One, as in a person, or I, can be On

The end result in the grid's a bit messy, but my objection has been mostly to the wilfully convoluted clues, starting at 1ac and not really letting up at all. I still don't understand what the definitions are to SACRIFIES and RILEY, although the wordplay is clear.

Yields to mere advantage (see meaning under sacrifice)

Ratty (US usage, Raleigh in North Carolina)

Finally finished this and found it very enjoyable. I don't get how "Hilfigers elevated" leads to what it does, and as far as I can ascertain, the answer isn't exactly accurate. As for 40 across, I haven't a Scooby-doo!! (but I'm happy with my entry). As for the red herring, according to google, there is a city apparently that would fit the amended cell.