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Are Celebrity Authors Ruining Literature?

After the announcement of the World Book Day 2018 £1 titles, many authors have spoken out against the influx of celebrity authors. Interestingly, four out of the ten World Book Day £1 titles in 2018 are by celebrity authors.

In response to this news David Almond, author of Skellig, has stated that “the nation’s children are being shortchanged”.  Almond complained how “authors and illustrators are being scorned” by the list of television stars, reality show winners, and comedians.




Perhaps we only notice now because of the prevalence of social media, however it does seem celebrity writers are saturating the literature market. From children’s books to non-fiction, a famous face is bound to be found peering out from the book covers at our local book shops.

This is nothing new, of course, since before David Walliams became a household name celebrities had been dabbling in children’s fiction. The singer Madonna, Duchess Sarah Fergusson, actor Will Smith, and even TV star Jerry Seinfeld have all written books for children in the past.

It is certainly easier for the already-famous to get their books published and into shops, but that does not mean they are great literature… Or even good fiction. Also, it does not mean they will automatically be chosen for something as important as World Book Day. This is, however, a thought that has crossed some authors’ minds.

Are these celebrity authors being chosen because they are famous? Or is it because, actually, they have written an excellent book?

David Almond told the Daily Telegraph: “There’s nothing wrong with celebrities writing books, but an organisation like World Book Day should be giving a good idea of what children’s literature is today, and this doesn’t at all. It gives a false impression of what it is to write a book. It is important to give due respect to children’s culture and creativity, and to take it seriously”.

Are we entirely sure those books were not chosen on their own merit? Is it a little unfair to be assuming the authors who are well-known for another talent aren’t just talented writers also?

As both a writer and a reader I find I am a little torn. On one hand I am pleased to have such a wide selection of literature to choose from, however on the other hand, as a writer, my heart sinks when I see another celebrity has written a children’s book. The market is so saturated already that writers find it hard to be given a first chance. A celebrity writer could just hand a manuscript to their ‘people’, or hire a ghost writer if needs be.

I suppose a positive note would be ghost writers are getting some work, at least!

The latest celebrity faces to put pen to paper are television personalities Dermot O’Leary (left), and Julian Clary (below). Clary is a sharp and witty comedian so it is no surprise that he would make a great comedy fiction writer, including children’s books. O’Leary, on the other hand, I am not so sure about. Part of me believes he is probably just cashing in on his TV fame and recognisable name and face, while another part of me thinks… Well, why the hell not, eh? I probably would if I were him.

Photo credit: Ian West

The great (and not so great) thing about being a writer is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of other people in the same boat as you. The struggle is real. Perhaps it does not matter that some people more famous than ourselves are being given a chance before we do. Maybe this should just make us more hungry for it, and to push harder when attempting to get published? Should we just be happy that these celebrities are promoting literacy? They could be introducing many people to books who may not have bothered otherwise.

To be bitter about ‘celebrity’ authors is detrimental to what is already a fragile writer’s ego. We must not be dismissive of a writer just because they happen to also be a singer…Tom Fletcher from McFly is actually a wonderful children’s author… But also we must be aware as readers, and parents of readers, that it is easy to be be taken in by the charm of celebrity. It is not sensible to dismiss authors purely on their famous credentials, and at the same time it is not easy to forget that most of them only get published because of their already established fame.

Would the book world be any better without them? And would we writers really have a better chance of being published if the celebrity authors were not pushing their way in the queue?

I’d love to hear your thoughts below, or on Twitter or our Facebook page!




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