“The ‘We’ll Put Out Our Own Damn Book’ PR Work-Around”

For several years now, talk shows have been making books into bestsellers. Now, thanks to Richard & Judy and Good Morning America, they’re also making books.

Earlier this week, GMA and co-sponser Simon & Schuster announced the finalists for their The Story of My Life contest, which — according to its official rules — was judged on two criteria: “quality and persuasiveness of entrant’s reasoning why [her] story [is] worthy of becoming a book (33%)” and “overall potential of this life story for on-air appeal to audience of Good Morning America and book appeal to readers (67%).” ( … As if publishers don’t already pick their books this way.)

According to the Happy Booker blog, which has been tracking the competition since its get-go, ghost writers have already completed the three finalists’ memoirs. But, even so, viewers’ votes (vote here) will be used to select only one for publication. (… Which just goes to show you: even publisher-commissioned books can have the odds stacked against them.)

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