The Strange Cultural Force of the Book Deal

Imagine if it went away

I’ve been thinking recently about the role that “a book deal” plays in American culture. I’m not talking in the dreams of unpublished writers, or the optics of #publishingpaidme. I am thinking about how it has become a synecdoche for cashing in and gaining prestige for politicians, celebrities, TED talk types, instagram influencers, and suddenly viral everyday folks.

For so so many—John Bolton, Amy Schumer, the Pope, Alan Greenspan, the Jonas Brothers, Tegan & Sara, Sean Spicer—getting a book deal with a ginormous advance seems to have become some obvious ‘next step’ in their careers, or at least in the process of cashing in on what they are famous for.

How has this happened? Why has this happened? Why aren’t there other cultural activities people could do instead? Like host a tv show, put your name on a clothing line, a promotion, or just asking your boss for more money to do what you actually do?

Obviously, the rise of conglomerate, multinational publishing is at play in the rise …