Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Celebrity Writers in the News

While reading Media Bistro's Galley Cat's Deals section, I came across recent announcements about three celebrities signing book deal contracts.

I have mixed feelings on this subject. Like most people, I enjoy reading about famous people (some of them, at least), yet I believe huge advances to celebrities limits the amount of money available to talented writers who struggle to get published. Okay. Enough whining. On to the celebrity deals.

* "How does it feel?" We'll have to wait to find out. Bob Dylan repotedly has signed a six-book deal with Simon & Schuster.

* Brady Bunch mom Florence Henderson is dancing with the literary stars after landing a deal with Hatchette to write her memoir.

* I love the tentative title of Sissy Spacek's memoir--"Barefoot Stories"--with Hyperion. Even more than liking the tentative title, I love this quote attributed to Sissy in Galleycat.

"I'm thrilled to be writing this book. I just wish I had studied harder in English class."

Don't we all, Sissy, don't we all.
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9 comments:

  1. SallyJanuary 25, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    I'm with you about the book deals for celebrities. I understand they come with a platform in place, which makes it a money thing, and I understand that too. Perhaps I missed Bob Dylan's background credentials for a 6 book deal, but hey, good for him.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BookieJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    I am glad for anyone's success, but do hate to hear when that success boots others out in unrelated fields. I brought a many times published YA author into my classroom once. He told me at lunch that he had been approached to write a children's book with a musical celebrity's name on it. He said he could sure use the money, but passed because he thought it deceptive and unprincipled thing to do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Donna VolkenanntJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    Hi Sally,
    You are right. I don't begrudge anyone's success. Just wish there was more to go around.

    Hi Claudia,
    Good for the YA author who came to your classroom.

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  4. Linda O'ConnellJanuary 25, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Donna,
    I don't understand how it is that one person's mistakes pay off and another person' hard work doesn't. I have a friend with daughters. One got arrested for drugs and put in rehab and
    given a scholarship. The others couldn't afford college. It seems almost like a reward for misbehavior.

    ReplyDelete
  5. TammyJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Can you hear me nodding? I enjoyed reading this post and the comments!

    ReplyDelete
  6. BECKYJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Yeppers! I agree! And, I must say....I LOVED Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner's Daughter!! I could watch that movie a zillion times...and almost have! Now, her book....I'll read!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Donna VolkenanntJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Hi Linda,
    I agree. That's a tough one to justify.

    Hi Tammy,
    Thanks.

    Hi Becky,
    Of the three writers? mentioned, Sissy Spacek's is probably the only book I'll read.

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  8. Melissa GoodwinJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Sissy Spacek has class and probably has something to say that is worth reading! Look forward to that one. It's a tough topic - our culture is celebrity-obsessed, so you can see why it happens. But there are so many beautiful stories to be told by ordinary people, so I hope there will always be room for those too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Donna VolkenanntJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Hi Melissa,
    Great analysis on the topic.
    I'm with you. I'll probably read sissy Spacek's memoir.
    Donna

    ReplyDelete

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