The Society of Authors (SoA) is at the forefront of a crucial movement, emphasizing the need for proper recognition of the writers behind celebrity books, especially those targeting children. In a recent statement, the SoA, the largest trade union of writers, illustrators, and translators in the UK, shed light on the often overlooked contributions of various creators involved in celebrity titles. Many of these children's books involve ghostwriters and other "co-creators," yet their efforts often go unacknowledged.

"Celebrity Books: Unveiling the Hidden Writers"

Ghostwriters and Their Importance

The SoA's statement highlights the significance of ghostwriters in celebrity books. As seen in the case of Marcus Rashford's books, where the footballer's co-writer Carl Anka is credited on the covers, acknowledging the ghostwriter doesn't diminish the celebrity's kudos. Chris Bradford, author of the Young Samurai series, emphasizes that "Credit where credit's due should be the publishing mantra." The ghostwriter's content is what often makes a book a bestseller, even if the celebrity's name initially attracts readers.This is further supported by Mark McCrum, who co-authored Somebody Someday by Robbie Williams. He believes it's high time ghostwriters received recognition for their hard and highly skilled work. A "with" or byline on the inside title page is sufficient, and ideally, joint mention with the named celebrity in bestseller lists.

Encouraging Reading Habits

The SoA also acknowledges that in the digital age, encouraging children to read can be a challenge. Celebrity books, however, can play a significant role in starting a reading habit. Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin, the organization's chair, welcomes the "growing trend" of celebrities publicly acknowledging ghostwriters. Examples like Chris Hoy often appearing with his ghostwriter Joanna Nadin at events and rugby player Johnny Sexton bringing his ghostwriter Peter O'Reilly on stage at the Irish book awards when their book won the sports book of the year demonstrate this positive shift.Nadin herself had a positive experience working with Hoy and was credited throughout the process. She had hoped it would become a model for the wider industry, but only a few teams have followed suit.

Writer Frustrations and Recent Calls

The SoA's call comes at a time when writers have been expressing frustration. In recent months, as author incomes decline, celebrities have been writing books. Last year, Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown faced criticism for her novel Nineteen Steps, which was ghostwritten by Kathleen McGurl. Although Brown publicly acknowledged McGurl's work on Instagram, critics argued that McGurl's name should be on the cover.This situation highlights the importance of the SoA's call for transparency. Journalist and Empireland author Sathnam Sanghera suggests that TV and radio shows interviewing celebrities about their ghostwritten books should "acknowledge that they are ghostwritten, rather than proffering fake news."In conclusion, the SoA's efforts to ensure proper acknowledgment of writers in celebrity books are crucial for the literary industry. By recognizing the contributions of all creators involved, from ghostwriters to illustrators, we can foster a more inclusive and sustainable publishing environment.