Bait 'n' Beer

Last week we learned that Demi Moore has signed a $2 million deal with Harper Collins for a memoir in which she'll detail her three marriages, thirty years in show business and (undoubtedly) all manner of TMI about her troubled upbringing. Presumably, someone at Harper has determined that lots of readers will be fascinated by tales of living with Ashton Kutcher (think Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes), a behind the scenes look at the making of "GI Jane", and what it was really like being photographed for the notorious Vanity Fair cover. I say "Bully" for Ms Moore (along with, "Why didn't you hold out for $3 million?).

So this is where the great publishing houses of the 21st century have landed. Celebrity biographies, confessionals and cookbooks. Dystopian worlds inhabited by werewolves, vampires and zombies. Relationship, investing and"lifestyle" advice.from experts with what can only be described as modest levels of expertise. Looking for the next blockbuster or churning out me-too regurgitations of the last one.  And so on.

Now, I understand the economics of the publishing business and how one big hit can make a publisher's year. I know that a known quantity like Ms Moore is an easier sell internally than an unknown Paraguayan author's first novel in translation. And I completely get the part about giving readers what they want ("We need more zombie mashups! Stat!).We're competing with other forms of entertainment, after all.

But I also think that if we are to stem, or at least retard, what has been described as the inexorable decline in prices for content, the industry has to produce content that's worth more than what the competition can provide. Do you really think Harper Collins can do a better job with Demi Moore than, say, People, O, or even TMZ? I'm not so sure.

So I'd suggest that publishing's role should be less about just reflecting the culture (though despite what's written above, there's a place for that) and more about leading and even defining the culture. (Consider whether a major publisher would pay a big advance for Absalom, Absalom today and you'll see my point.)

There are dozens of independent publishers doing just that...presses like Melville House, Unbridled, Graywolf, and Europa (to name just a few)...but if books are going to more than just another choice among commodity entertainment options, our industry's leaders (and for good or evil, that's the top twenty trade houses) are going to have to do their part..

As I've said before, this is not about economics, though it's certainly about that. It's also about the culture of our society.
 
 
*Last Paula Cole reference ever. I promise.
 
Post publication note: And if you like Demi Moore, you'll love this. Coming in November Kardashian Konfidential. (www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/kim-khloe-and-kourtney-to-write-a-book-kardashian-confidential-2010176)