The Society of Authors (SoA) requires celebrities, publishers and agents to acknowledge the authors of celebrity books, especially for children.
The UK’s biggest trade union for authors, illustrators and literary translators said it “recognises that encouraging children to read in the digital age can be challenging and that celebrity names can help kick-start reading habits”, but that everyone should be commended regardless. . They also admitted that publishers pay celebrities to write books because they know that if they publish a book with a famous name on the front cover, it will sell.
Abie Longstaff, Chair of SoA’s Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group, said: “A book is not just a package with subdued appeal. Creativity and well-honed craftsmanship make it special. The real hand that turns the magic must be recognized and applauded, especially in an era, where people are at risk of drowning in generics and derivatives of AI bots.”
SoA asks publishers, celebrities, booksellers, festival organizers, agents and all industry players to recognize and reward all collaborators of celebrity books.
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, SoA chair and author (she writes under the name Sam Blake), said: “I applaud the growing trend of celebrities publicly and generously acknowledging their authors. They often talk about the joy of their collaboration. is, teamwork at the Irish Book Awards with rugby player Johnny Sexton was awarded Sports Book of the Year and brought his ghostwriter Peter O’Reilly on stage to thank the Irish Academy of Literature and the audience for their votes a moment when both the story and the words were celebrated, and just as Chris Hoy has often performed with his ghostwriter Joanna Nadine, this helps set the gold standard for both the industry and the public. In a world where fake news is on the rise, total transparency is something to celebrate.”