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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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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
ReplyDeleteYou 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
Donna,
ReplyDeleteI 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.
Can you hear me nodding? I enjoyed reading this post and the comments!
ReplyDeleteYeppers! 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!!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI 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
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.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis on the topic.
I'm with you. I'll probably read sissy Spacek's memoir.
Donna