On an unusually muggy day in Bangalore, dust covered my bookshelves and piles of half-read books. I went online to look for new releases. I quickly discovered that Alia Bhatt had recently turned to children's books. Ed finds a home A new book has just been released, and I quickly learned that Prajakta Koli's debut romance novel will be published by HarperCollins later this year.
Celebrity-written memoirs, children's books, self-help books, and even novels are hitting bookshelves. A strange trend is spreading in the literary world: famous people are signing deals with the most prestigious publishers. Books written by celebrities and influencers are not only being increasingly commissioned, but they're also making it onto bestseller lists. This has sparked a debate about whether book writing has become an elite celebrity-only phenomenon.
Publisher's Perspective
It's an art, and many hold it sacred, but ultimately, book publishing is a business, and profit is paramount. The appeal of books written by celebrities is multifaceted: the commercial appeal of the celebrity name draws fans in advance, book tours become media events, and publishers swoon over the sure-fire sales boost. For publishers, these books are a low-risk investment with the potential to generate big profits.
Commenting on the Indian market, Shreya Punj, a former editor at Penguin Random House and HarperCollins and an independent consultant, said: “Given the fact that our country has parasocial relationships with everyone, even those who are moderately famous, it makes sense for publishers to make money on books that they know are in high demand.”
This commercial appeal has led publishers to prioritize celebrity projects — after all, they need to make ends meet, and a product with a guaranteed consumer base is a no-brainer. The ultimate conclusion of those who tout the “celebrity turned author” trope seems to be that the publishing industry is already sinking, and anything that stops it from sinking is perfectly fine.
Is publishing accessible to all authors?
Critics argue that celebrity books often overshadow the work of professional authors, potentially stifling diverse voices and literary innovation. There is a legitimate concern that celebrity, rather than literary merit, will become the primary driver of book sales and promotion.
“I don't think there's any room for debate there. It's true that it's easier for them (influential individuals) to get deals with publishers, but it's easier because they've built up their presence in the field over the years. But when I feel sad that influential people can get (book) deals and ordinary people can't, I tell myself that, at the end of the day, (publishers) are commercial businesses and to them, books are a product. And while there's no denying that unknowns can get published, the process is much harder for them,” said Nona Uppal, author of The New York Times book. Fooled twicewas published by Penguin Random House India in 2024, and she is currently also active as an influencer.
The proliferation of celebrity books has made it increasingly difficult for traditional authors to break into the market, and there's a widely held assumption among emerging writers that publishers, desperate for profitability, tend to allocate more resources to celebrity projects, leaving no opportunity for new or mid-career authors.
“For an up-and-coming author, it has always been a tough task to get published by a traditional publisher, but now with an increasing number of celebrities and influencers publishing books, it has become even more competitive. I pitched to around nine traditional publishers, out of which one accepted my manuscript. Some of the publishers didn't respond at all, one rejected my proposal and another was not accepting manuscript submissions at the time. Hence, it is tough for up-and-coming authors to get represented by well-known publishers. An author's popularity often overshadows their talent,” says poet and author Anam Tariq. A leaf from a book Published by Leadstart.
The ghostwriting element in books written by celebrities
Celebrities promote their own books best, but sometimes they are not the best people to write them. The role of ghostwriters in books written by celebrities is a controversial and often opaque aspect of this industry. While some celebrities have publicly admitted to working with ghostwriters or co-authors, many have presented their own books as their own work, raising questions about their authenticity and credibility.
In the art world, the concept of credit is sacrosanct. Many argue that this ghostwriting arrangement puts the allure of the celebrity brand front and center, while the actual artists behind the work are left in the shadows. But still, these celebrities' stories should be told too. A fair compromise seems to be making it clear that the book was written by a ghostwriter.
“I hope that celebrities hire good ghostwriters. Their lives are theirs, but if I'm going to read it, at least the writing has to be good. So if they know they're not a good writer, I respect their decision to hire someone who is skilled in the craft to write the article,” Panji said. Reserve Prince Harry has clarified that his book was written by a ghostwriter, “but this level of honesty and transparency remains undervalued in Indian culture,” she added.
Book: Brand Builder?
Writing a book helps celebrities to gain credibility, so much so that many have come to see it as a brand-building vehicle. The trend for celebrities to write books is often more about a strategic extension of their brand than any literary ambition. In this view, being an author is just one more weapon in the arsenal of modern celebrities to stay relevant, expand their audience, and diversify their income streams.
While this may not be true for the most well-known celebrities and influencers, many up-and-coming celebrities and influencers are latching onto the idea that writing a book will make them more attractive overall, which is probably why the internet is flooded with courses and workshops that claim to help you write a book in a week or so.
Many in the literary world would agree that it's a disservice to the art of storytelling if the sole purpose of writing a book is brand building.
“I don't worry when people approach it from a brand-building perspective because I don't categorize it as art or literature. But from a purely artistic perspective, it's a bit of a contradiction. For example, you wouldn't record a song if you didn't listen to music, and you wouldn't make a film if you weren't avidly attending the theatre every Friday to see the latest releases. I find that disingenuous, because even if someone who doesn't read books says 'I wrote a book,' I won't read their books. Creation cannot happen without the consumption of art,” Uppal said.
The pen remains strong
Celebrity status may open doors into the traditional publishing world, but in the end, the quality of the writing is what matters most in determining a book's lasting impact and critical acclaim. This basic truth is both a great equalizer and a harsh reality for celebrities who become authors.
Critics and astute readers are quick to discern whether a celebrity book demonstrates true literary merit or whether it appears to be based solely on name recognition, and this scrutiny can be especially intense because the work of celebrity authors is often held to a higher standard.
Still, industry experts like Panji are optimistic that writing and publishing are a democratic space, and deny any bias towards celebrities. “Given the prevalence of social media and the marketing of books by celebrities and content creators themselves, it seems like everyone is talking about books, but it's all within a bubble and can't be generalized to a broader picture,” Panji adds.
Obviously, book publishing today is multi-layered – marketing, influence, relevance – but at its foundation is the craft of writing itself.
Subrat Arora is a freelance writer based in Bengaluru, India. His articles have appeared in Al Jazeera, Vogue India, The Hindu, etc. His areas of interest include society, literature, art, culture, books and technology. Views expressed are personal.
