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.

MTV's "Jersey Shore" Snooki Has a Book Deal

You might have noticed I haven't posted since last week. This time of the year is a gloomy time for me, and I find it hard to get motivated to write, especially something uplifting or cheerful.

Another reason I'm in a funk is because of yet another seemingly undeserved publishing deal.

Generally I'm happy when writers get published. It's a cause for celebration, especially if it's someone I know or a celebrity I want to know more about.

But not all publishing deals are reason to pump your fist in the air.

Last week I read that in 2011 Simon & Schuster's Galley Press imprint will publish a book "written" by MTV's “Jersey Shore” star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. There's a brief article about it in the Wall Street Journal, which you can read here.

Seriously? Who knew Snooki could write?

Well, at least she can read. Wait. What?

According to news reports, Snooki has only read two books--"Twilight" and "Dear John."

Maybe she's a fast learner. After all, she is famous for her gig on MTV, with her poofy hairdo, fake tan, long nails, and fist pumping skills. Snooki has been spoofed by "Saturday Night Live" and has appeared on late night talk shows. She even taught David Letterman how to do the fist pump. She seems like a personable young "lady," but I wonder about her writing skills. No doubt she will have a ghost writer and lots of editing help.

About now I'm probably sounding like sour grapes. Speaking of grapes, I could've used a glass of wine after reading the news about her book deal.

What I find discouraging is that I have many friends who are great writers with manuscripts that deserve to be published, but for whatever reason cannot. They are the ones who should be getting book contracts. They get passed over, yet someone who reportedly has only read two books is getting a deal from a major publisher.

(Note: I write articles, essays, reviews, and short stories. I have never completed an entire manuscript, so it's not jealousy on my part over Snooki's book deal. Really. Well, maybe just a little.)

Time will tell about the success of Snooki's book deal.

I guess there can be a couple outcomes. Writers like me will have to deal with it--or maybe after Simon & Schuster publishes her book and not many people buy it, they'll be the ones who'll get snookered.

Are You Kidding Me?

Today's weather forecast for St. Peters: Mostly sunny; high 40 degrees.

This morning I received an e-mail from a member of an on-line writers' group I belong to, with the terse message of: "read it, read it, read it" and a link to an opinion piece in the New York Times. Definitely got my attention.

After clicking on the link, I got a jolt stronger than a cup of coffee--expect I don't drink coffee--so make that a cup of hot black tea or a splash of cold water in my face. But I digress, perhaps I'm still dumfounded after clicking on the link and reading New York Times op-ed guest columnist Timothy Egan's piece titled, "Typing Without a Clue."

No matter your party affiliation or whom you voted for in last month's election, as a writer, you will probably have the same reaction I did: Are you kidding me?

Can you guess who has written a book with a selling price for $24.95?

Still curious? Joe the Plumer.

What?????

Wait a minute. No need to panic. There might still be hope for us.

If my logic follows here; the other night I unplugged the toilet, so next year I should expect to have a book deal. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Well, darn it, if JTP can do it, so can I. And you can too. Guess you never know what it takes to get a book deal. I better get to writing my book. But, wait; before I get writing, I'll run to Wal-Mart and buy myself a new plunger--the latest tool of the trade for um . . . writers?

Here's a link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/opinion/07egan.html