Joe the Writer?

We knew it had to happen. Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, aka “Joe the Plumber” from late in the Presidential campaign, has just signed a book deal. In today’s New York Times, Timothy Egan riffs on this in his acidic “Typing Without a Clue” opinion piece. In Egan’s view, celebrity books like Mr. Plumber’s bleed advance money and possibilities from real writers who deserve a chance far more than Mr. P deserves an extension on his nearly-up fifteen minutes.

Although Egan has a point (I am, after all, one of the unsigned writers out there who would lurve a book advance and a contract), there is something to the point of view that publishing houses exist to make money. And let’s face it: there are a number of people out there who are really, really unhappy that Obama won the election who would snap up Mr. P’s tome if for no other reason than to salve their wounds. Bracing talk from people who agree with your point of view can make you feel better, after all.

Joe the Plumber and other “celebrity” authors sell books. Unfortunate fact, but there you are. And if they sell books, then publishing houses make money. When houses make money, they have more money available for romance novels and cookbooks and literary fiction. And women’s fiction, for that matter. So I guess I’ll just have to take my students’ word on this.

“Don’t hate.”