I had no idea Jenna was charging that much. Her model might be the literary festivals that Queen Camilla has put on. They cost $150, but they are held at a palace (Hampton Court), they have top authors and actors doing readings, and you get members of the royal family participating. I can’t imagine how a festival held in Nashville could deliver more than that.
I think that celeb book clubs picking guaranteed best-sellers is the best evidence that they are done. The book is making the book club relevant, not the other way around. Emily Henry does not need Reese. Reese needs Emily Henry.
The Jenna festival is so odd but also... on brand... it's sponsored by Visit Music City which is probably the Nashville tourism board... That makes sense to me. Nashville is the bachalorette trip capital of the United States right now and let's face it, this book festival is a glorified bachelorette trip without the wedding. I bet there will be Stoney Clover Lane "experience" somewhere in there too.
Absolutely agree about the book clubs. The Jenna festival is puzzling on many levels. Why announce it so late? You are giving people about a month to plan. My bigger question is: Who is making money from ticket sales?
Yes. Because you know the sponsorship covers the cost of the event itself and we know that Hattie B's chicken is not going to cost you $400/person . So... what are we fundraising for?!
I am curious to know what the participating authors are getting paid. It's giving Tarte Influencers trip all over again:
Fabulous point about book clubs. I love Emily Henry's books too but she's #1 in Aus on release day and will probably stay there for a while. Definitely doesn't need the book club!
Kathleen - love the variety of books you're working on. From self-published crime to hybrid business books, health/psychology to mainstream fiction. I think you've answered this before, but do you have different strategies (not publicity plans) based on the type of publisher - or if the author is financing the campaign? Thanks for ALL you do!
I employ different strategies for each book I work on. Self-published books and hybrid books need different strategies than books published by the Big Five, just as a book from a very small publisher requires a different strategy than one published by the Big Five. Every campaign is different.
Oh, Jenna. That’s a conference for fan girls, not a book festival. I can only imagine the type that is paying that kind of money to eat hotel food all day and believe they’re having a literary experience.
This is something I've been thinking about, too. Also Reese co-authoring a thriller with Harlen Coben and The Rock co-authoring a true crime book with NYT bestselling author and investigative journalist Nick Bilton. I love Reese Witherspoon and I love Dwayne Johnson, but I'm not sure how to feel about this. On the one hand, they've both worked hard on their careers and to build their names. On the other hand, it stings a little to see celebrities be able to take shortcuts to publishing their books (and having someone else write them) when I've worked so hard for so long to learn to write and to get better at it. I feel bad for even feeling this way.
Don't feel bad! Celebs' platforms allow them to do the "co-writing" thing, and publishers know it's a profitable model. They are also paired with established, bestselling authors instead of solo books. Look at it as a model, and it's the exception, not the rule.
Yes, and at least the writers are getting credit. A friend of mine helped Krysten Ritter write her latest novel, and I've been really impressed with the credit Ritter has given her, both on the book cover and with how glowingly she's talked about her in the press. I think that's a shift in a positive direction post-Millie Bobby Brown.
The government is diminishing opportunities for libraries, book events etc. At, same time books are being whisked off shelves due to content. Excuse me?? If I choose to read inappropriate books at the tender age of 75 it's none of "your" business! As for high priced book gatherings, I have a few ideas for these monied individuals.
1) Your gathering could be toned down a whole lot with the resultant leftover money donated to libraries and public schools.
2) If you're not wanting to give away books, there are food banks available in most cities.
3) So many people in need, can't you help......shame on you!
Is there a way to watch the WMG panel on newsletters? Sad I missed it - catching up on tons of Substacks today. :)
If you're a member, it should be accessible on the WMG website--it was recorded.
Thanks! I've attended some events through my employer, but I'm going to check out membership.
I had no idea Jenna was charging that much. Her model might be the literary festivals that Queen Camilla has put on. They cost $150, but they are held at a palace (Hampton Court), they have top authors and actors doing readings, and you get members of the royal family participating. I can’t imagine how a festival held in Nashville could deliver more than that.
I think that celeb book clubs picking guaranteed best-sellers is the best evidence that they are done. The book is making the book club relevant, not the other way around. Emily Henry does not need Reese. Reese needs Emily Henry.
The Jenna festival is so odd but also... on brand... it's sponsored by Visit Music City which is probably the Nashville tourism board... That makes sense to me. Nashville is the bachalorette trip capital of the United States right now and let's face it, this book festival is a glorified bachelorette trip without the wedding. I bet there will be Stoney Clover Lane "experience" somewhere in there too.
Absolutely agree about the book clubs. The Jenna festival is puzzling on many levels. Why announce it so late? You are giving people about a month to plan. My bigger question is: Who is making money from ticket sales?
Yes. Because you know the sponsorship covers the cost of the event itself and we know that Hattie B's chicken is not going to cost you $400/person . So... what are we fundraising for?!
I am curious to know what the participating authors are getting paid. It's giving Tarte Influencers trip all over again:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/style/tarte-cosmetics-influencers-tiktok-backlash.html
all of this!
Fabulous point about book clubs. I love Emily Henry's books too but she's #1 in Aus on release day and will probably stay there for a while. Definitely doesn't need the book club!
Kathleen - love the variety of books you're working on. From self-published crime to hybrid business books, health/psychology to mainstream fiction. I think you've answered this before, but do you have different strategies (not publicity plans) based on the type of publisher - or if the author is financing the campaign? Thanks for ALL you do!
Thank you!
I employ different strategies for each book I work on. Self-published books and hybrid books need different strategies than books published by the Big Five, just as a book from a very small publisher requires a different strategy than one published by the Big Five. Every campaign is different.
Oh, Jenna. That’s a conference for fan girls, not a book festival. I can only imagine the type that is paying that kind of money to eat hotel food all day and believe they’re having a literary experience.
100% this.
This is something I've been thinking about, too. Also Reese co-authoring a thriller with Harlen Coben and The Rock co-authoring a true crime book with NYT bestselling author and investigative journalist Nick Bilton. I love Reese Witherspoon and I love Dwayne Johnson, but I'm not sure how to feel about this. On the one hand, they've both worked hard on their careers and to build their names. On the other hand, it stings a little to see celebrities be able to take shortcuts to publishing their books (and having someone else write them) when I've worked so hard for so long to learn to write and to get better at it. I feel bad for even feeling this way.
Don't feel bad! Celebs' platforms allow them to do the "co-writing" thing, and publishers know it's a profitable model. They are also paired with established, bestselling authors instead of solo books. Look at it as a model, and it's the exception, not the rule.
Yes, and at least the writers are getting credit. A friend of mine helped Krysten Ritter write her latest novel, and I've been really impressed with the credit Ritter has given her, both on the book cover and with how glowingly she's talked about her in the press. I think that's a shift in a positive direction post-Millie Bobby Brown.
I also side-eyed the Reese and Oprah picks this month, but I hadn’t seen the Jenna news. WOW 😮 That is a lot…and such short notice!
It's so weird. They expect people to book flights on that little notice? I just don't get it. Plus, for a lot of people, school isn't over for kids.
When I saw the Jenna Bush announcement all I could think was it’s May… of this year?! I’m sending out kids’ bday party invites with more notice
Very odd.
Spotify carries Memwah
Don’t see ‘Memwah”, the funny 3-woman podcast reviewing celebrity memoirs.
rolling my eyes at the Jenna bush thing
Right? I’m (not) sorry, but that is a lot of money & who exactly is profiting from it?
If they were giving it to a charity/supporting libraries but its not clear who is profiting
The government is diminishing opportunities for libraries, book events etc. At, same time books are being whisked off shelves due to content. Excuse me?? If I choose to read inappropriate books at the tender age of 75 it's none of "your" business! As for high priced book gatherings, I have a few ideas for these monied individuals.
1) Your gathering could be toned down a whole lot with the resultant leftover money donated to libraries and public schools.
2) If you're not wanting to give away books, there are food banks available in most cities.
3) So many people in need, can't you help......shame on you!
I don't blame people attending. I blame the people organizing it for costing others out.
I agree 100%!