Hilary Duff's New YA Book

eva3taylor · Oct 20, 2010

Can we say more? It's another paranormal romance. So far, the reviews are mixed, but I bet the ghost writer is well paid.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5897566/is_hilary_duffs_elixir_the_new_twilight.html?cat=40

Sage · Oct 20, 2010

Celebrity books make money for the publishers and bookstores, and that allows them to take more risks on books that may not make it past the midlist. Do not be sad.

caromora · Oct 20, 2010

If Duff's name brings in young readers, the sales will help Simon & Schuster--which in turn helps other writers.

Seeing celebs get lucrative book deals can be frustrating, but ultimately it doesn't hurt other writers.

ETA: Sage beat me to it. I need to type faster.

mickeyDs4 · Oct 20, 2010

Just because these "celebrities" happen to have been on TV or know somebody who knows somebody is not a fair representation of the hardworking regular people whose dream it is to be published. If these "celebrities" are going to put their names out there as authors then they need to follow the same pain staking rejection and submission process the rest of us do. Sure it's a nice way for the publishers to make quick sales from the fans of these people but they are also losing their credibility of representing those who have worked, sweat and anguished over their writing. I wish that the publishing industry would stop catering to the rich and famous and look down the line to the small town dreamers and give them their shot. Sure the ghost writers are getting a good deal out of these "celebrities" name but there is most likely a small part of them that wants the byline for themselves and not the pampered and overprivlaged brat that is reaping all the benefits.

KTC · Oct 20, 2010

Sage said:
Celebrity books make money for the publishers and bookstores, and that allows them to take more risks on books that may not make it past the midlist. Do not be sad.

THIS.

Publishers are not bad for wanting to make money off the celebrity status of celebrities.

KTC · Oct 20, 2010

mickeyDs4 said:
Just because these "celebrities" happen to have been on TV or know somebody who knows somebody is not a fair representation of the hardworking regular people whose dream it is to be published. If these "celebrities" are going to put their names out there as authors then they need to follow the same pain staking rejection and submission process the rest of us do. Sure it's a nice way for the publishers to make quick sales from the fans of these people but they are also losing their credibility of representing those who have worked, sweat and anguished over their writing. I wish that the publishing industry would stop catering to the rich and famous and look down the line to the small town dreamers and give them their shot. Sure the ghost writers are getting a good deal out of these "celebrities" name but there is most likely a small part of them that wants the byline for themselves and not the pampered and overprivlaged brat that is reaping all the benefits.

Seriously, calm down.

Juneluv12 · Oct 20, 2010

Good point, Sage!!

Part of her book deal also included a nonfiction book on handling divorce based on her own experiences.

Yeah, I'm biased b/c she's my agent sister, lol. I haven't bought the book yet, but I will to support my agent. When I first heard she had a deal, I had a similar reaction as the original poster, and sometimes I still do for her and other celebrities who have an easy road to publication.

As for ghostwriters, there are numerous examples of publishers that read through PM, see what's selling, and then contract authors to write certain books. F*llen by L*uren Kate is an example of this. Next to her name with copyright, there is also T*nderbox Productions.

Greenify13 · Oct 20, 2010

"Celebrities" aside. Talking about just Hilary Duff here, I'm neither surprised nor upset in any manner about this. Considering the many different things she's tried and has done, it was only a matter of time before she wrote and published a book. People need to remember that while being a celebrity may have helped, she had to still write the book first! Then find someone to accept said book, whether she had connections or not it still has to be worth publishing on any scale. I say good for her and anyone that makes it. There is no point to hold a grudge against a celebrity publishing, it's futile, it's done.

Momento Mori · Oct 20, 2010

mickeyDs4:
If these "celebrities" are going to put their names out there as authors then they need to follow the same pain staking rejection and submission process the rest of us do. Sure it's a nice way for the publishers to make quick sales from the fans of these people but they are also losing their credibility of representing those who have worked, sweat and anguished over their writing. I wish that the publishing industry would stop catering to the rich and famous and look down the line to the small town dreamers and give them their shot.

Publishing is a business, not a charity. Publishing companies don't owe struggling writers anything. A publisher's duty is to its shareholders (who it has to pay dividends to), employees (who it has to pay salaries to) and its bottom line (which it has to cover and make a profit on).

Whether you like it or not, ghost written books with a celebrities name on the front generaly sell in large quantities. If you have a problem with that, then take it up with those members of the public who won't take a chance on a book by an author they've never heard of, but will buy something with a celebrity name on the cover.

That's reality.

A small town dreamer who's written a crap book that won't sell is no more entitled to their shot than a small town dreamer who's written a smashing but strange book that a publisher can't see a market for. It's the way it is. You either deal with it you don't, but don't make the mistake of thinking that publishers in some way owe you something because you've been struggling really hard for a really long time.

MM

suki · Oct 20, 2010

mickeyDs4 said:
Just because these "celebrities" happen to have been on TV or know somebody who knows somebody is not a fair representation of the hardworking regular people whose dream it is to be published. If these "celebrities" are going to put their names out there as authors then they need to follow the same pain staking rejection and submission process the rest of us do. Sure it's a nice way for the publishers to make quick sales from the fans of these people but they are also losing their credibility of representing those who have worked, sweat and anguished over their writing. I wish that the publishing industry would stop catering to the rich and famous and look down the line to the small town dreamers and give them their shot. Sure the ghost writers are getting a good deal out of these "celebrities" name but there is most likely a small part of them that wants the byline for themselves and not the pampered and overprivlaged brat that is reaping all the benefits.

Atually, no, to most of this. I get you are frustrated, but as others have said, publishing is a business. And if sales from celebrity books - good, bad, ghostwritten, or otherwise - allow them to publish more books of unpublished nobodies, then I say well done.

No celebrity book is taking a spot from a non-celebrity book. They are a whole different category and actually make it possible to publish non-celebrity books.

Greenify13 said:
"Celebrities" aside. Talking about just Hilary Duff here, I'm neither surprised nor upset in any manner about this. Considering the many different things she's tried and has done, it was only a matter of time before she wrote and published a book. People need to remember that while being a celebrity may have helped, she had to still write the book first! Then find someone to accept said book, whether she had connections or not it still has to be worth publishing on any scale. I say good for her and anyone that makes it. There is no point to hold a grudge against a celebrity publishing, it's futile, it's done.

Actually, no, she probably didn't have to write it and then find an agent and a publisher...it's even possible the publisher or a book packager approached her agent. And a lot of celebrities don't even write the books published under their names - though I have no idea whether Hillary Duff did or not.

But the point is, celebrity books are in a category all their own, and no non-celebrity book is in competition with them. So, those frustrated with how hard it is to get published, it may be frustrating to see the celebrity books, but one might just some day pay your advance.

~suki

Cyia · Oct 20, 2010

She wrote a book. She sold a book.

Neither of those things impacts another author's ability to do the same.

Publishing isn't like casting. There aren't "X" number of roles open with "Y" number of people trying out for them. And because someone gets published, they didn't take a slot away from the next guy.

Check out the Delacourte Press (I think) writing contest for YA and children's books. Look at the number of times it says there was no winner in a given year. They didn't choose to hold back the award for lack of interest. They held it back because the offered MS weren't marketable and, contest or not, they weren't going to sink money into something that wouldn't pay of in the end.

High profile authors actually HELP those small town dreamers. They extra cash they provide the publisher makes it a bit easier for them to take a risk on something quirky or something they can't quite pin to a category. There's a bit of leeway to cushion the risk.

Shady Lane · Oct 20, 2010

Celebrity books are good for everyone. It gets people into bookstores and money to publishers and media attention to YA.

mickeyDs4 · Oct 20, 2010

I meant nothing ill about the publoshing industry. I am just frustrated that there are some of us who work just as hard as everyone else and get nothing for it. I get that the publishing indusrty uses the celeb market to get their sales and such. But and this is my argument, if these celebrities are going to become published authors they should be held to the same standards the rest of us are. They should not be handed deals and then get a ghost writer to do the work for them. They should spend the six to eight hours a day cultivating their craft, creating their characters, doing the hours of research and put forth a quality product.

suki · Oct 20, 2010

mickeyDs4 said:
I meant nothing ill about the publoshing industry. I am just frustrated that there are some of us who work just as hard as everyone else and get nothing for it. I get that the publishing indusrty uses the celeb market to get their sales and such. But and this is my argument, if these celebrities are going to become published authors they should be held to the same standards the rest of us are. They should not be handed deals and then get a ghost writer to do the work for them. They should spend the six to eight hours a day cultivating their craft, creating their characters, doing the hours of research and put forth a quality product.

With all due respect, and I can certainly empathize, but no.

They have name recognition and built in sales. They don't have to pay their dues or earn it. They earn it by making the company money. They don't have to do anything but put their name on it. And those sales, of those books, whoever wrote them, generate income to fund other books.

So, it helps to remember that they don't have to earn the deal like writers - they aren't writers - they are commodities for sale. They don't have to "deserve" it. They just have to agree. Celebrity books aren't anything like those acquired from non-celebrity writers.

And the celebrities aren't doing it for the love of writing or fame - they already have fame. They are doing it for money, and maybe to further their brand. So, no, there should be no requirements they prove themselves writers first.

Rebecca_Rogers · Oct 20, 2010

I agree with what everyone said above--it does help the industry.

But I also look at it this way: How many people move to L.A. to pursue dreams of acting? Now, how many auditions does it take for them to land an agent (because you do have to audition for talent agencies)? And how long does it take for them to land that one role that pushes them toward a "celebrity" status?

None of this happens overnight.

Just like writing a book, finding an agent and landing a book deal doesn't happen overnight.

It also works the same with those who struggle in the biz and those who do well. On the movie side, everyone's not a Brad and Angie. While on the book side, everyone's not a Stephen King or J.K. Rowling.

At some point, Hilary had to audition just like other actors out there. And she's slowly climbed to "celebrity" status. But, IMO, it probably wasn't easy. So props to her for building her career (and helping the rest of us).

True · Oct 20, 2010

Celebrities are usually nothing more than names when it comes to things like these. They get cash and publicity for their names, and that's usually the extent of it. Non-celebrities have to work hard because they don't have the name and they don't have the cash. Most are also doing it for the love it. So? I get the frustration, but when I get my name on the cover of my book, I'll be more than a name. I'll be the writer of the book, the person who struggled to get to that step, and that's enough for me because I love it (otherwise, why would I waste so much time on it?), although cash is always a nice thing.

And just because celebrities publish books, it doesn't mean it's necessarily going to do well, if that's how you like to roll.

Look at this article.

It's all a gamble. Every time. No matter whose name is on the cover of the book.

I think when people see things like these, we think of how easy it must've been for them. But celebrities have to work 24/7 to keep their name and image up. If they don't, they get lost in the crowd. It's like every other job. And the reward of being a celebrity is that you get an easy way out of certain things that would take longer for other people. The bad side? Well, Rebecca said it. It doesn't happen overnight. You still have to work for it. If you don't maintain something, it's going to die, and celebrities have to maintain their image or die in the media.

This is just part of their reward for a job well done, I suppose.

KTC · Oct 20, 2010

Each celebrity and their books deals should be considered individually too. It is very true that they are commodities...and great money-makers for publishers. But some DO actually write, too...which is a double bonus for them. Ethan Hawke is more than a fine writer. I look forward to his books. I think he's quite exceptional.

I don't know about Hillary Duff. We may or may not find out. Does anyone know for certain that she has a ghostwriter?

strawberryblondie · Oct 20, 2010

According to this there was a ghostwriter.

ETA: I just checked the browse inside on the publisher's Elixir page and Elise Allen is indeed listed on both the title and copyright page.

KTC · Oct 20, 2010

Thanks, Strawberry. I was just curious. I watched Hilary grow up...as my kids watched her show all the time. I wondered if she had become a writer, or if it was a ghostwriter thing. Thanks for the link.

True · Oct 20, 2010

Very true, KTC. Always something to remember.

Glenakin · Oct 20, 2010

It could have been worse. Britney Spears could have written it.

Jokes aside, I don't mind Ms Duff writing a YA book, and I do believe she at least worked hard on it, rather than dumping it in someone else's hand. She's always struck me as down to earth, a very hardworker. If there was ever a celebrity to carry the YA banner it definitely should be her.

Juneluv12 · Oct 20, 2010

Oh, and I want to correct what I said about publishers seeing ideas and contacting/contracting authors....yes, this does happen, but I didn't mean to lump it into the same thing as F*llen.

F*llen does have the T*nderbox with the copyright, but I'm not certain if they were pulling for a H8sh H8sh similarity book or something on that one, lol. This is also the case with some of L*uren Ol*ver's books, and she talks about it in an interview my pal Jamie did with out group blog GotYA. Here's the link on P*per Lantern Lit: http://thegotya.blogspot.com/2010/07/paper-lantern-lit-sparks-ideas-in-book.html

mellymel · Oct 20, 2010

Shady Lane said:
Celebrity books are good for everyone. It gets people into bookstores and money to publishers and media attention to YA.

This.

Seriously, I had a negative reaction at first, but then I was like, wait a minute. This is a very good thing. You get new "kids" and YAs into reading because Hillary Duff wrote a book (and lets face it, the girl has a HUGE following) and then these kids want more. They want to read...MORE. And that's where we all come in

.

Thanks Hillary!!!

strawberryblondie · Oct 20, 2010

Glenakin said:
It could have been worse. Britney Spears could have written it.

Britney Spears did have a novel come out in 2001. It's out of print now.

lvae · Oct 20, 2010

strawberryblondie said:
Britney Spears did have a novel come out in 2001. It's out of print now.

It wasn't a bad book. Cute and sweet. I remember reading it, and all the hype around how Britney and her mom wrote it.

That said, I can't remember a single word from it.

But aw, I loved Britney in her early years.

Hilary Duff's New YA Book

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Still alive. Kind of.

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Steel Magnolia & Snarky Pants

Fair Maiden of War.

Tired and Disillusioned

Opinionated

Rewriting My Destiny

my name is hannah

Opinionated

blue rain, na'vi dances, color code

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Stand in the Place Where You Live

blue rain, na'vi dances, color code

Steel Magnolia & Snarky Pants

oh so shiny