I don't think it's just me that finds it a little upsetting when a celebrity can have a book published about.....anything while real writers struggle against nearly overwhelming odds to be heard.
I will admit that some of them might be a worthwhile read but lets be serious. Who would buy a children's book written by Madonna? I'll be sure to read that to my child after a nice afternoon of him playing in traffic and surfing porn on the Internet.
Don't get me wrong...I actually like Madonna, as an entertainer. If she was serious about writing then she would have used a pen name and struggled like the rest of us instead of cashing in on her celebrity status.
I would also like to say the fact that Paris Hilton's dog has a book out is insulting. Even my dogs are insulted.
The list is endless but here are just a few:
Lauren Conrad
Janice Dickinson
Pamela Anderson (can she even read?)
Tyra Banks
Goldie Hawn (I do love her)
Nicole Ritchie
Lets hope the money these books earn the publishing houses is used for debut authors that take the art of writing seriously.
These books make lots of money for publishers which they can then invest in publishing wonderful but totally unknown authors.
ReplyDeleteAnd some celebrities write really good books (from a UK point of view comedians Jo Brand and David Baddiel are both excellent) but are not taken seriously as writers because of their celebrity status.
Feeling any better?
Most don't write their own books... So, the people who really wrote them don't get the credit. It's sad all over in the mess of it all.
ReplyDeleteKeren, I should not lump them all in together because there are some really good ones. Ellen Degeneres has written a few that are hilarious and Jenny McCarthy writes about motherhood and her son who is autistic. I am really talking about those celebrities who do it for more publicity.
ReplyDeleteJen, I know! At least give credit where it's due.
Marsha,
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's what sells. Billy Crystal has some very nice Children's books out, so I can't really rag on the whole celebrity publishing thing. But I figure the harder the work, the bigger the pay off.
It also helps to surround yourself with incredibly supportive people.
Speaking of which...
I was told you were welcome to come to the next meeting of the NWHRWA (in fact, writers--new members and existing members are welcome to come to meetings--visitors can attend 2 meetings before joining). Everyone there is awesome. They have actual business part then a learning part--both parts are really fun to be at. Send me an email, I'll give you more details (one's coming up this November--first Saturday of the month).
Bethany, my email is listed under my profile information. I cannot see your email!
ReplyDeleteHmm. This is an interesting subject. I do think quite a few celebrities could have worthwhile things to say but at the same time I don't ever pick up one of their books to find out. Unless of course it is Sidney Poitier ... I'll read any of his stuff. Publishers make major money off of celebrity books (as stated) and I can only hope with you Marsha that the publishers are using that money to get other works published.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on this. I don't mind autobiographies because there are fans who want to know. And I don't mind celebrities who have something to say. Some celebrities are motivational or especially comdic- their books are usually good too, and it's more like creative non-fiction... But celebrities writing fiction is possibly stopping a strugglin author from getting published.
ReplyDelete