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This isn't something we've tried before, but we wanted to canvas some opinions for use in a potential news feature. I've also noted some comments in other threads.
How do you feel about the publishing trend towards celebrity books and huge advances for cash-ins? Does anyone read the resultant books? Which biographies or memoirs in recent years have you enjoyed?
Has the celebrity publishing industry reached saturation point? Can anyone see a market (or would you perhaps even consider reading) memoirs by the mothers of Boy George and Pete Doherty?
Would you ghostwrite such a biography if asked?
Lastly, would you consider buying the autobiography of a young, bespectacled web designer who shot from nowhere to web infamy in less than a year?
Thanks for your input,
Webbo
But what has a twenty year old done that deserves these huge sums. I ask you, Wayne Rooney's three biographies planned over the next few years. Why?
Yes it provides work for ghost writers, but I wouldn't want to do it.
Publishers go for these celebrity bios because many of them have shareholders, and they have to turn in a profit. The celeb has a profile, a following which can be built on, and will guarantee sales.
New and unknown writers will be unlikely to make these vast sales, so they don't get the support.
If you want a celebrity biography go and look in any charity shop where you can view a selection, and if you wish, buy at a realistic price.
As for your bio Webbo, I'm sure we could make an exception!
I'm not buying into all this celebrity crap - unless someone is old enough to have something to say, and that person is interesting, I wouldn't even think about it. To give an idea of what I think of all these new so-called celebrities: I was on a train the other week, and saw someone had a book with them - wow, someone actually reading, thinks I, until I realise it's Jordon's *ahem* autobiography. Less than interesting, then, thinks I.
The only biog I've picked up in recent weeks is Life on Air - but I think that at 80 years old, and having led a fascinating life, Sir David Attenborough is guaranteed to have something worthwhile to say. At least he's earned his fame by fair means, and is worthy of the praise he gets.
Chantelle? Who's she? Jordan? Famous for being Jordan. What's the point?
If I were ever asked to ghost an autobiog, it would have to be for someone who was otherwise too busy (doing real work, not 'being a celeb') to do it themselves - otherwise, forget it.
biography = written life of a person; branch of literature dealing with persons' lives; life-course of a living (usually human) being.
I am aware that we Talkbackers will be familiar with The Concise Oxford Dictionary definitions but thought actual wording to be worth a reminder. The aforementioned publishers and celebrities seem to need reminding.
The key word in every description is LIFE.
The average human is nurtured in their first decade, formal education and growth development fills most of their second decade. In their third decade, opportunity is taken to experiment and test their fledgling adulthood, making mistakes but with many years left to refine and perfect themselves. Fourth and fifth decades see the average human adult honing their skills and passing gained knowledge on to the next generation.
Thus, realistically, it is only when we pass into our sixth decade that, having experienced sufficient variety of trials and tribulations, we may have wisdom worthy of sharing with the general public.
Teenagers memoirs? They need to grow up first. Performers, sport celebrities and the like, whilst still participating in their chosen activities must still be learning aspects of that trade. One must complete one's own journey before claiming sufficient knowledge to guide others on the same pilgrimage.
Sorry, rant over and apologies for taking so much space.
Parents of said individuals? Now that is a different story, one that may well be worth sharing. I would consider helping that age of person write their memoirs.
As for our bespectacled web designer. The word "young" precludes any chance of an autobiography for the foregoing reasons. However, I will gladly help writing the book of how he has achieved "web infamy" in such a short time.
"This is your Life", I remember Eamon Andrews (circa 1955+) surprising apparently "ordinary" people to reveal heroic or self-sacrificing acts that they, themselves, had kept secret.
Few, broadcast, events seem to bother with factual or informative presentation. Almost everything appears to be produced in an over simplified style to encourage mindless, zombie-like, infatuation which stifles originality.
Books are promoted for this herd instinct that is being financed by greedy manipulators. Trouble is, can one blame them for "feeding" an apparent demand?
to be quite honest, I couldn't two hoots about celebrities and their (on the whole boring) lives. The only biography I ever read was Stephen King's (auto) On Writing which only included a brief autobiog because it related to writing.The really important people in my life are not celebrities.
I find celebrities bore me to tears and such memoirs and biographies would also bore me. Yes, I think celeb marketing in all aspecs is taking over the news. Who cares if Posh spice is pregnant, has a nose job or whatever? Why is it important for the world to know about them?
I prefer real people and real news.
I wouldn't do ghostwriting, although I do write about ghosts but there we go! Rant over.
Lily, I don't think I would, no matter how much was offered.
I have no problem with a celebrity who has come through severe problems to get where they are, and wants to use that to help others.
But so often, that doesn't seem to be the issue. It's another stage in their celebrity status, to be done before their star wains and no one gives a damn about them anymore, and their income goes the same way.
Thanks very much for all your input. It's been very constructive to read your opinions, and some very pertinent points have been made.
Best wishes
Webbo
While I still think the money for these biogs is excessive, the role of ghostwriter is becoming more attractive. As writers we have to be interested in people don't we, whether we are personal fans of those people or not. Before my sudden recent exit from psychiatric nursing I had to work with many people I wouldn't have chosen to spend time with otherwise eg people who had been in prison, been involved in drugs, people who had abused children etc etc. You name it, I heard it. While I didn't like the stuff that people had done, talking to them over periods of time did give me an insight into another kind of world, very far removed from my own. That is something I can draw on when I write.
I suppose ghostwriting someone's biog might be similar in a way. It gives you access to a person you'd never normally have dealings with, a window on their world, and a chance to figure out what makes them tick. Think of all the material and ideas you could collect for your other writing (identities well disguised, of course). Webbo - if you do want a ghostwriter for your biog, here I am!
Whether the recipients ever read them is open to dispute!
We each have our own individual style, our 'voice'; but to do these biographies the ghostwriter has to suppress those things- in some ways 'become' that celebrity while they are writing their story.
I couldn't think of anything worse, trying to do that job.
Yes we have to be interested in people, but the subjects of our books are usually ordinary bog-standard people who readers can identify with, sympathise with.
Honestly I can't do that with a celebrity, however deserving they may be.
As for the likes of Jordan, Wayne Rooney, Chantelle, Jade Goody and Kerry Katona (or is it still Mcfadden?) they haven't done anything note worthy (being famous doesn't count in my opinion).
Don't get me started on Stephen King. I read his autobiography and Misery. The guy is so smug, and he think's he is such a great writer, in my opinion Richard Laymon was a better horror writer, but got caught in King's shadow.
If, however, a particular person has led an interesting life, I'm more than happy to read about it, irrespective of their celebrity status. David Attenborough's "Life on Air" was absolutely amazing, for instance.
I suppose what's currently bugging me about biographies (celebrity or no) is the serious bandwaggoning that's going on in the "I was abused as a child" sub-genre. Just how many books about the torture of small children from kind-hearted forgiving survivors do we really need? I want to read about someone who's full of vitriol and goes on murderous rampages because of it! ;)
One of the most interesting autobiogs I've read (no doubt ghostwritten) was 'Sarah, My Story' by the Duchess of York. She's had some bad press over the years, and it's wholly undeserved. I found I couldn't put the book down, and it was only with some effort that I stopped reading and went to bed. She isn't just famous for being famous, even though she's well-known because of who she married. She's led an amazing life and no one can blame her for wanting to document it.
So when he says he's a good writer, it's not arrogance when you take it in the context it's intended, because evidence supports his meaning - he does make a living at it, and he does keep producing work which people buy. I personally am not a fan, and don't find his work to my taste, but I wouldn't say he's an arrogant man.
The books about celebrities that sell best are probably those with plenty of scandal included.
That's why Kitty Kelly's books sold so well!
The books about celebrities that sell best are probably those with plenty of scandal included.
That's why Kitty Kelly's books sold so well!
(I rest my case.)
She also wrote the biography of Prince Philip, but if you put that title into a google search, you'll see it isn't allowed to be sold in the UK.
Someone has written KK's unauthorised biography and it's apparently equally scandalous!
Is that enough to get you started, Howard?!!
By today's standards that surely qualifies me for a six-figure book deal - and I probably wouldn't even have to write anything myself!
Perhaps the bios that work best are a combination of an interesting person generally, and a good writer who knows what to put in, and what to leave out.