Supposedly publishers publish books they know will sell and sell big. These include new titles by bestselling authors, tie-ins to blockbuster movies, and books by or about celebrities. I can’t argue with the first two choices, but I do take exception to the last, namely, what elevates a person to celebrity status? A hiker who manages to survive for a week while lost in the woods? A plane crash survivor? A pilot who lands his plane safely in the water? I would say yes to all of those. Maybe their stories don’t qualify for entire books, but each has done something that makes telling their tale worthwhile.
What I don’t think qualifies as a celebrity is a husband or wife who signs a contract to write all about his or her spouse because that spouse is a recently disgraced public figure. The latest to capitalize on publishers’ quests for juicy tell-alls is Jenny Sanford, the wife of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. You know, the guy who flew off into the sunset to be with his Argentine lover without bothering to leave emergency contact information should his state suddenly need his impeccable leadership. What he did was despicable on so many fronts. And don’t get me wrong: I sympathize with his wife, just as I do Elizabeth Edwards. But that doesn’t mean I want to read a 214-page book about Mrs. Sanford’s trials and tribulations. Seriously, doesn’t the American reading public deserve better?
Grassroots Writers Guild's Blog 
I do empathize the wife too.
As for knowing what went on between them shows in the people that are intersted in reading there life, as for myself I agree with you, that we need better things to read about sorry to say not about there husben cheating or leaving.
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We do deserve quialty reading other than trashy kiss and tells.
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I have got to say, politics and religion provoke the very best along with the the worst in people. The best because both can lead to folk being amazingly helpful, the bad side as both can lead to unbelievably stubborn and difficult behaviour. I’m not critising you, your comments simply made me see this, so thanks for that.
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I agree 100% with your observation about religion and politics, Chan. Thanks for commenting and stop back soon.
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One would think so….
I empathize with the wives too.
However, none of us lived their lives so we’ve no idea what went on behind closed doors. I’ve met some women that might be pretty hard to live with too…..;}
I’m not much into gossip though. Would much rather read a good novel or if factual ; at least some facts .
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